ZTR won't turn!

buckle97 · Aug 1, 2008

I have a Kubota ZG23 with about 60 hours on it. All has been well over the past two years until this past weekend when I was cutting the grass. The right handle is very difficult to move forward or backward. It will move if I force it, but it is nowhere as easy as it used to be or as easy as the left handle is currently. Hydraulic fluid was changed about fifteen hours ago and is showing at the perfect level and clean. I lubricated the linkage under the seat but that just made the handle easier to move side-to-side and didn't affect the front-to-back movement.

Any advice on what I should check to resolve this issue?

AlanB · Aug 1, 2008

I don't know your ZTR but most have steering dampers. They look like those rear hatch lifter things on small cars.

Look through your linkage and see if you have one of them in there (on the Exmarks and the Dixons you have a set on each side)

Usually when they fail, they get to easy, but it is concievable that one is binding.

Disconnect it and then try operating the controls.

If not it, then just start disconnecting till you find where the bind is.

buckle97 · Aug 1, 2008

I did see the damper but it appeared to be operating correctly. I will try disconnecting it and see what happens.

Thanks.

buckle97 · Aug 8, 2008

I disconnected the damper and the handle moved very easily. I got a new damper last Saturday but it still didn't feel as easy as the left side. I mowed for about three hours this week on two different nights. On the second night the handle started operating normally. I hope it lasts.