Simplicity ZT2050 lacks speed and power.

[jwease]

Before I call the dealer AGAIN I'd like to see if anyone here could help me. My Simplicity zero turn mower, the Consumer Z with 20hp Briggs and 50" cut, has lost its oomph! It seems to be worse on the right side. First of all it doesn't seem to be as quick as it used to be even on level ground and it doesn't have the power to go up the hills on my lawn like when it was new. It is 4 years old and has 245 hours on it.

The problem seems to get worse the longer I mow. After about an hour the hydro oil leaks out from around the cap to the reservoir tank and is a beige colored. This makes me think air is getting in the system. To me it seems to get too hot maybe even boiling in there. When I called the dealer he said the system should purge itself of any air. Coincidentely a few weeks after calling the dealer both of the hoses on the left side from the pump to the wheel motor developed leaks(no idea why, not from wearing on anything. I'm assuming a manufacturing defect). I replaced those hoping that would solve my problem but it didn't. Another symptom is that when applying from partial to full forward motion on the right side control the wheel shudders and makes a whining noise and I get the corresponding lack of power.

This seems to be a pretty simple system but I'm not knowledgeable enough to determine the problem. My father suggested the pump may be bad. I hope not. Very expensive. I did change the filter for the hydro system when and as the manual states and topped off the fluid w/Mobil 1 5W-50. The manual does not list my problem in its trouble shooting guide.

I hope I explained the problem well enough. Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dqdave1]

beige colored fluid may be water in system or temperature problem.
Check the temperature when hot to get a reading.

 

[shot_gun]

It may be an heat issue by the sounds of it. You probably have internal leakage in the pump or motor causing the oil to get superheated. I think anthing over 150 deg for synthetic is bad. Does it hydraulic oil cooler? Are the pumps and motors clean and free of debris? When a system gets over heated it cooks the orings, seals, hoses, ect. That is usually a sighn that things are going arye.

 

[jwease]

Thank you for the replies. I will check the hydro fluid temp next time I mow. I did check it once before and I think it was over 300 deg. F. There is no hydro fluid cooler. The pumps are always clear of grass and debris. If the pump is bad, can it be rebuilt? A new one is $810.

 

[shot_gun]

I did check it once before and I think it was over 300 deg. F.

WOW there is only one thing to do when it gets that hot. Break out the turkey and get deep frying.

I would find a service that rebuilds them and has one you can swap for a core. Im not sure who makes the pump but it should say on the pump along with model#. That should help you in tracking down someone. I think if you had to rebuild it or I should say if you had to pay the local dealer to rebuild it, it may cost more than a new one. Good luck