Z Force 48 Transmission / Hydrostatic Oil Change

[Mikebuzz]

Hi Guys,

I recently purchased a 2014 Z Force 48 mower used. It has almost 300 hours. I've done all the service as well as new blades and new choke cable. The only thing i'm needing to do now is service the hydrostatic transmission. I can see it has a filter on each unit and the expansion tank so I know it can be serviced. I can't seem to find a service manual online that explains the proper procedure and the correct fluid to use. I've also searched the forum with no luck. Is there someone who can point me in the right direction? I'm a DIY kind of guy and I have a chin fall in my shop to get the back of the mower in the air. I just want to make sure I have some sort of guide to go by so I don't miss anything. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Buzz

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To TBN Mike. You have joined a great site with a lot of knowledgeable people here.

Sorry, but I have never owned a Z48 so I can't help but I am sure someone will be along shortly who can.

So, do you have the model with the steering wheel? If so, how do you like it? I am think of getting one for the wife. How hard is it to turn the wheel?

 

[Mikebuzz]

I actually have the model with the lap bars. I really like it but this is my first zero turn mower. We have almost 2 acres to mow and I was tired of having to pay someone to cut.

 

[Mikebuzz]

Won't let me post a link until I have 3 posts.

 

[Mikebuzz]

I found the service manual on the hydro-gear web site. Here's a link to the service manual for anyone else who needs it.

http://www.hydro-gear.com/26732095f3_sites/hydro-gear.com/files/BLN-52441_P19.pdf

 

[mddorange]

I know what you mean with 2 acres.

Between the area around the house and around the barn, I mow about 1 1/2 acres. Of course I bush hog a lot more.

The wife doesn't want the lap bars, she want the steering wheel. I may just get an Extreme Tight Turn machine that has a 5" turn radius and save about 1k.

 

[GBHRPS]

mddorange,

Buy the lap bar machine and teach your wife how to drive it. Basically just have her mow a a rectangular patch of lawn about a half acre in size. She'll have pretty much mastered it by the time she's done. I have both types of mowers and my Bride loves the lap bars because she's finished so much sooner. It will just about cut your mowing time in half.

Gene

 

[Beltzington]

I know what you mean with 2 acres.

Between the area around the house and around the barn, I mow about 1 1/2 acres. Of course I bush hog a lot more.

The wife doesn't want the lap bars, she want the steering wheel. I may just get an Extreme Tight Turn machine that has a 5" turn radius and save about 1k.

We bought the Z-Force steering wheel model and my wife loves it, in fact I have only been able to use it one time this year when she was out of town. We have just under 2-acres of grass and it only takes her right at an hour by the Hobbs meter, it actually cut the time in half from the lawn tractor we had been using.

I am not sure why so many folks recommend lap bars, the steering wheel model is a zero-turn mower, the only control difference I see is you use a foot pedal for forward and reverse. Additionally the Z-force is much easier to control on slopes.

Good Luck!

 

[mddorange]

We bought the Z-Force steering wheel model and my wife loves it, in fact I have only been able to use it one time this year when she was out of town. We have just under 2-acres of grass and it only takes her right at an hour by the Hobbs meter, it actually cut the time in half from the lawn tractor we had been using.

I am not sure why so many folks recommend lap bars, the steering wheel model is a zero-turn mower, the only control difference I see is you use a foot pedal for forward and reverse. Additionally the Z-force is much easier to control on slopes.

Good Luck!

Thanks, that is what she wanted to hear. :thumbsup: