New ZTR steering problems

travlitt · Jun 3, 2017

I have this new ZTR. 25hrs. Its a Big Dog "Biablo MP" While mowing or just traveling, the left side will momentarily stop pulling for just a second. This causes the front of the mower to move to the left. The operator corrects that movement to get it back straight, then the left side starts pulling again, causing the front to move to the right. This causes the mower to travel in a zig-zag line.
What could cause this problem?

tomplum · Jun 3, 2017

I would guess that it is internal if it occurs when maintaining a steady speed. Time to get that to the dealer for warranty service. For your purposes you would want to know that the bypass isn't activated on the one side nor , strange as it may sound a flat tire.

travlitt · Jun 3, 2017

I checked the by-pass on both sides and they are in the correct position. Both rear tires have the same air pressure.

sidemouse · Jun 13, 2017

travlitt said:
I checked the by-pass on both sides and they are in the correct position. Both rear tires have the same air pressure.

With the mower on a flat level surface I'd check the hydraulic fluid level, also if there's a belt from motor to pump I'd check to make sure it's not loose and routed correctly and no sticks or foreign objects in its path... Beyond that it's off to the dealer, it's under warranty, no sense in digging in when we can let them fix it. Hopefully it is a simple fix.

Walt 2002 · Jun 13, 2017

Warranty as Tom said.

Walt Conner

travlitt · Jun 13, 2017

sidemouse said:
With the mower on a flat level surface I'd check the hydraulic fluid level, also if there's a belt from motor to pump I'd check to make sure it's not loose and routed correctly and no sticks or foreign objects in its path... Beyond that it's off to the dealer, it's under warranty, no sense in digging in when we can let them fix it. Hopefully it is a simple fix.

All the simple things have been checked.
The dealer picked it up last Friday 6-9-17. Hope they can find the problem and get it back to me asap. Need it to be making grass shorter.
I will post what they find and what they do to fix it.

Thanks for all of the replies and advise.
Travis

travlitt · Jun 24, 2017

Up date on my ZTR steering problem.

Dealer removed the wheel motor on the left side (seated on the mower) of the mower and found a lot of metal shavings.
The dealer call the vice president to have a look at. It was determined after further examining the hydraulic system (both sides)was completely contaminated.
The mower will be returned to the factory for a complete examination and what caused the failure.
I picked up a new unit yesterday that replaced my contaminated mower.
This replacement mower is an updated model of my original mower.

Now that forum members is what warranty is all about. My thanks to my dealer and the VP.