Z-Force question
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JTKub
Veteran Member
My new 2010 Z-Force 44 most definitely has a faster ground speed than my 2544. Is it the 8mph as advertised I dunno. It's got to be close though because I think my 2544 topped out around 6mph. It's not really an issue for me since there's not much of my property I can go full tilt. One thing you can do is check the jamb nuts that regulate how far forward you can move the lap bars. I know one of mine is adjusted slightly more forward than the other to keep the unit going straight. Now that I have the tire pressures set right, I'll check that again. Oh BTW... Check you tire pressures!!! My rears were set to 25psig!!! They are only supposed to be 8-10psig.
Joel
Joel
OldMachinist
Platinum Member
When I bought my Z-Force 50 I had the same problem one transmission was faster than the other and what I found was that since the machine had been stored outside at the dealer for at least 6 months the linkage was gummed up and the bushings that the levers rotate on where tight. I took it all apart, clean and greased everything. Been working great ever since. There are ball joint rod ends in the linkage that are suppose to lubed quite often.
JTKub
Veteran Member
You're right on the money with that OM. I had removed the plate behind the operator's calves thinking I'd be able to access the no-mow in reverse hardware from there (no go). I was however able to see the ball joints you are referring to and they were only lightly greased from the factory. I slathered some silicone brake caliper grease on them and buttoned things up. BTW.. I did figure out the reverse PTO cutout deal. I can mow in the not so forward direction now.
Joel
Joel
OldMachinist
Platinum Member
There are more of those ball joints under the mower and they're exposed to flying clippings and dust. The manual says to lube them once a week along with all the deck hangers and pivot points.
JTKub
Veteran Member
Yep, the dealer globbed them up with a Red Crown type grease and they're coated with crap already. I noticed a lot of the pivot points don't have grease fittings. In fact, overall there's not a lot of grease fittings on the new Z-Force. 4 for the front axle and one for each blade spindle. 7 is it. OM does yours have the shared 'overflow' bottle for the hyrdos? I know Cub says not to top it up, but there's barely a shot glass of oil in that bottle (cold).
Joel
Joel
OldMachinist
Platinum Member
I've got those grease fittings plus there are two on the deck for the idler arms. There's another one under the rear for the drive belt idler. I added one to the front axle pivot bolt because the original bolt from the factory had the threaded area riding in the plastic bushing and they chewed one of the bushings up. I replaced the bushings and the bolt with a longer one so it had the unthreaded area in the bushings and cut off the excess threads. When I did all that I drilled and tapped the pivot for a grease fitting.
All the rest of the deck hangers and pivot points I spray with red lithium grease every couple of uses.
I don't have the overflow tank on the hydros, that was something they added around 2007. Its just there as a expansion tank so the oil has someplace to go when it warms up. It likely adds a little capacity to the oil volume too to keep it a little cooler. I'm not sure if I like the idea of a single tank, if one transmission get contaminated it could contaminate the other.
All the rest of the deck hangers and pivot points I spray with red lithium grease every couple of uses.
I don't have the overflow tank on the hydros, that was something they added around 2007. Its just there as a expansion tank so the oil has someplace to go when it warms up. It likely adds a little capacity to the oil volume too to keep it a little cooler. I'm not sure if I like the idea of a single tank, if one transmission get contaminated it could contaminate the other.
JTKub
Veteran Member
I hear you on the single tank deal. If you wound up with a tank full of junk, both trans are at risk now. They did add filters to each trans which was pretty smart. They're under those gold colored covers:
