Jacking up gravely zero-turn for blade removal and hydraulic fluid change

WVH1977 · Apr 13, 2017

I have a Gravely Promaster 48Z. I recently purchased a Milwaukee 1/2" impact for loosening all those hard bolts I have to deal with on all of my equipment. I used to raise the zero-turn up just enough to lay down and get a 4 x 4, wrench and breaker bar in there to loosen the bolts to replace my blades (pain in the you know what!). Now that I have this new impact I want to raise the mower up a whole lot more to be able to use the impact on the bolts. I am looking for suggestions on how to safely raise the mower and stabilize it so I can remove the blades. I also want to change my hydraulic fluid while I am at it. I really don't want to spend the money on one of those lawnmower lifts for something I will only be doing once a year for blades and at the long hour interval between hydraulic oil changes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated on how you all accomplish those tasks. I have equipment to lift it but not sure exactly on how to stabilize it safely.

oldnslo · Apr 13, 2017

Can you put jack stands under the front to stabilize the mower? I know some models of ZTR's don't have much for frame members on the front?

I have a chain hoist that I use to lift them up then use the jack stands as an insurance policy while wrenching on things.

Couple things to check before lifting the front to high.

1) Where are the spark plugs situated. If towards the rear is it possibly for oil to seep into the cylinder bore?

2) Carb and fuel tank. Will either of these leak fuel?

3) Battery, if not sealed how far will it tilt before acid drips out the vent? This is not good....

SandburRanch · Apr 13, 2017

If you have a truck to put it in the rear wheels can be rolled back out onto saw horses leaving the front wheels on the tail gate. The deck is then suspended in the gap between saw horses and tail gate for easy access. I've done it like this for lots of years with lawn tractors.

Oil changes, greasing, tire repair can all be done there while its level.

WVH1977 · Apr 13, 2017

All three things you mentioned are correct. I just changed out the spark plugs tonight. They are all the way in the back. I was going to go the route you mentioned but did not want to tilt it to far back. Maybe I should just dig a 3 ft. wide x 3 ft.deep whole I can ride over with the lawnmower so I can get to it. lol. Then fill the whole back in when done. My manual tells me to push the mower front end to a wall and raise the rear, then start the engine and move the steering levers back and forth to purge the hydraulic system. I don't think changing the hydraulic system is going to be as difficult as trying to get those lawnmower blades high enough to get my impact in there. I might just be better off doing what I have always done. 4 x 4, wrench and breaker bar. Unless I can raise the back and get jack stands under there and then lift the front and put jacks underneath there.