Cub Cadet RZT-42 left hand hydro stops working after warm up

[jwrusk]

Hello all! I bought a used cub cadet zero turn RZT-42 (2006 model) and after about 45 minutes of mowing the left hand drive does not want to keep up with the right hand. I let it sit and cool and it works just fine until it warms up again and problem repeats itself. I was told to come to this site for help. Thanks in advance..

Jim

 

[rcbe]

Hoping that Old Machinist won't mind, try this link for a serv manual on that rig - might help. :rzt_service.pdf

 

[jwrusk]

Thank you.

Jim

 

[jwrusk]

Can you tell me if there is a procedure for changing the transmission fluid? Looks like the units are sealed. I was directed to the toro site for a service manual for the RZT-42 hydrostatic transmission but it won't take the cub cadet number I have.

 

[OldMachinist]

The transmissions are sealed and require you to remove them from the machine to turn them upside down to drain the fluid. Before doing that make sure the bypass valve lever isn't out of position because of acumulated clippings. Acumulated clippings caked on and around will also make the transmissions overheat and cause them to stop working. If cleaning doesn't help here's the HydroGear EZT service manual that outlines the fluid change and purging procedures. HydroGearEZT_service_manual.pdf Use a high quality 20w50 engine oil if you change it.

 

[OldMachinist]

I had my Z-Force 50 in the shed for some maintenence today and I wanted to show how much junk accumulates around the hydrostatic transmissions on these mowers. All this is from just this spring as I cleaned it before storing for the winter. This stuff accumulates on top of the transmissions and the metal shelf they are mounted to. If you let this build up they will overheat quickly.

 

[margegeneverra]

Same problem here on an RZT-50 with 200 hours (3 years).

Dealer diagnosed both transmissions needed replacing. He claimed that changing the fluid didn't help and that the transmission was not servicable or rebuildable. He said that the failure was "common". Manufacturer was unwilling to help.

Estimate was almost $2K, so I scrapped the mower (& will never buy a cub cadet again). A shame, as the engine was great and I liked the mower. It seems that cub had a design problem with these transmissions. Fortunately for them it shows up after the warranty period.

 

[CCinCT]

marg, you've made five posts all saying the same thing. You could have just started a new thread and stated your case. Digging up old posts (like the one from 2008) just to say the same things makes you sound like a disgruntled drive-by.

 

[MAsZ71]

marg, you've made five posts all saying the same thing. You could have just started a new thread and stated your case. Digging up old posts (like the one from 2008) just to say the same things makes you sound like a disgruntled drive-by.

I kinda thought the same thing. Definately got his point across! I sure hope he has better luck with his new mower!! :thumbsup:

 

[JTKub]

Hey why say it once when you can say it 5-6x? (kidding!). You do have to feel for the guy, although, ~200hrs in 3 years is beyond the scope of the RZT series in my opinion. I believe I read somewhere once where typical residential riding mowers are designed to last 250hrs. I've got a full 1.5acres to mow and only do ~30hrs/year. It would take me almost 7yrs to accumulate that kind of "mileage". Anything goes after 7yrs with a ~$3K machine IMO. Regardless, MAsZ, you should have the 4yr warranty on your RZT. You're set. Just keep in mind, the second you feel the SLIGHTEST difference in one of your hydros, you might want to consider an oil change on them which is very doable for someone with basic wrenching skills and access to this board.

Joel

 

[MAsZ71]

Regardless, MAsZ, you should have the 4yr warranty on your RZT. You're set. Just keep in mind, the second you feel the SLIGHTEST difference in one of your hydros, you might want to consider an oil change on them which is very doable for someone with basic wrenching skills and access to this board.

Joel

Yea...I think that extra year on the warranty they are offering right now will prove to be priceless if I have issues like everyone else.

I did download the download the service manual. I think I should be able to handle the service requirements! :thumbsup:

 

[margegeneverra]

I kinda thought the same thing. Definately got his point across! I sure hope he has better luck with his new mower!! :thumbsup:

I own my own company and stand behind my products. When a company fails to support a customer, I have no hesitation to let others know. If I save someone from wasting their money, I'm happy. If I help Cub Cadet improve their customer service, I'd also be happy. The beauty of the internet is that poor service and products get exposed.

 

[CCinCT]

...You do have to feel for the guy...

Oh yea, definitely feel for the guy. Just wish he had come on asking for help/opinions first rather than carpet bombing. This isn't compact tractor review after all .

 

[CCinCT]

I own my own company and stand behind my products. When a company fails to support a customer, I have no hesitation to let others know. If I save someone from wasting their money, I'm happy. If I help Cub Cadet improve their customer service, I'd also be happy. The beauty of the internet is that poor service and products get exposed.

You were out of warranty. Not sure what you expected. And if the dealer wasn't going to bat for you, then perhaps he didn't think you had ground to stand on.

 

[margegeneverra]

You were out of warranty. Not sure what you expected. And if the dealer wasn't going to bat for you, then perhaps he didn't think you had ground to stand on.

When there is a pretty obvious quality issue, as evidenced all of the reports of transmissions failing early, one would think that a quality company would at least make some attempt to offset at least some of the repair parts cost. Or do you think that 200 hours is a reasonable time to expect a mower to last?

As for the dealer, they seemed to have the sales script down - "those transmissions always go out on the cub cadets....it's not worth spending $2000 on repairing a $3000 mower, when it will just happen again.....I'd like to show you a better mower, the X-Mark, for a bit more money..." (And the sign out front advertises them as a Cub Cadet dealer!)

 

[OldMachinist]

I know my Z Force 50 is a step up from the RZT mowers but with proper maintenence the the RZT should be a good for more than 200 hrs. Cub Cadet is not the only manufacturer that uses the same HydroGear transmissions that the RZT's have in them. The R in RZT does stand for residential and 200 hours does seem high for three years use.

I have 466 hours on my Z Force as of today and it will still climb any hill to to the point the front wheels will come of the ground. I have changed the hydrostatic oil a couple of times. As I stated in a post above the biggest enemy of these transmissions is high temperatures and the leading cause of that is not keeping the debris cleaned off of them.

 

[CCinCT]

When there is a pretty obvious quality issue, as evidenced all of the reports of transmissions failing early,

You are right. I mean after all, every owner of an RZT has posted his thoughts on it. Therefore, if most posts on the Internet are negative about the RZT, then the RZT is a poor product... Where do you think Fox News got their tag line? The Internet: fair and balanced.

... one would think that a quality company would at least make some attempt to offset at least some of the repair parts cost.

And Cub has done that, when the circumstances warranted it. There is a thread on another site talking about that fact.

Or do you think that 200 hours is a reasonable time to expect a mower to last?

Not at all. But 200 hours in 3 years is a lot of use. For that kind of mileage you should have gone with a Z-force. But if you went with the RZT based on a dealer (or BBS salesman) recommendation, then they are 99% to blame for you getting the wrong machine for your needs.

As for the dealer, they seemed to have the sales script down - "those transmissions always go out on the cub cadets....it's not worth spending $2000 on repairing a $3000 mower, when it will just happen again.....I'd like to show you a better mower, the X-Mark, for a bit more money..." (And the sign out front advertises them as a Cub Cadet dealer!)

I don't know where he's getting $2K from, honestly. I just called my dealer and he said swapping the transmissions is less than 3 hours for both. Bill should be $1200-$1300... not that that's really any better to hear. Nobody want's to shell out that kind of coin after a few years of ownership.

In any case, sounds like he's just bitter because he didn't sell you the RZT in the first place. And if he did sell it to you, then WOW, what a scumbag.

 

[margegeneverra]

You are right. I mean after all, every owner of an RZT has posted his thoughts on it. Therefore, if most posts on the Internet are negative about the RZT, then the RZT is a poor product... Where do you think Fox News got their tag line? The Internet: fair and balanced.


And Cub has done that, when the circumstances warranted it. There is a thread on another site talking about that fact.


Not at all. But 200 hours in 3 years is a lot of use. For that kind of mileage you should have gone with a Z-force. But if you went with the RZT based on a dealer (or BBS salesman) recommendation, then they are 99% to blame for you getting the wrong machine for your needs.



I don't know where he's getting $2K from, honestly. I just called my dealer and he said swapping the transmissions is less than 3 hours for both. Bill should be $1200-$1300... not that that's really any better to hear. Nobody want's to shell out that kind of coin after a few years of ownership.

In any case, sounds like he's just bitter because he didn't sell you the RZT in the first place. And if he did sell it to you, then WOW, what a scumbag.

The Cub Cadet web site had the transmission kits listed at $811.20 each. The also sell internal transmission parts, but I guess dealers don't mess with the internals of the transmissions, choosing to just do a total replacement.

BTW - that WAS the same dealer who sold me the mower - & told me it would be good for 10 years - I'll go with your scumbag characterization!

 

[CCinCT]

BTW - that WAS the same dealer who sold me the mower - & told me it would be good for 10 years - I'll go with your scumbag characterization!

Wow, that is disheartening. Nothing worse than a dealer steering you towards X product, then basically saying "that didn't work for you? Here, try this for $X thousands more. Maybe you'll have better luck.... (and maybe I can buy a bigger boat)...."

In the end, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with Cub. And more sorry for the dealer experience. Regardless of brand, the dealer relationship is the most important.