What's up with Scag wheel motors?

[JLC]

Is there something wrong with Scag wheel motors. I've got a Turf Tiger with 250 hours on it and have already had to replace the right side wheel motor, hub and pump (almost $1000). Now it seems as though the left side is starting to display the same symptoms as the right. Is there anything that can be done to prolong their life? Is this normal. If so I'm not exactly budgeting to replace them every 250 hours. How are the other brands (exmark, JD, dixie) holding up? Nothing like starting off a tight year with major component failure, this sucks.

[Evan528]

With only 250 hours I assume it would still be under warranty? no, this is not normal for this machine to be blowing wheel motors every 250 hours!

[thelawnguy]

Are you using the correct filters? Oem is something like 10 microns, the aftermarket ones are like 40-50.

Dirt and heat are the 2 things which will kill pumps and motors, check for inordinate amounts of either one somewhere along the line.

[JLC]

The first encounter was only the wheel motor was covered, I had to buy the pump and hub. This time if it goes out, it won't get coverage. Maybe this machine is one of those lemons some have discussed. Doesn't make me want to buy another one. What sort of life should a guy be able to expect out of these parts?

[JLC]

The filters are correct and my mechanic said nothing about dirty fluid. The machine doesn't have coolers on the hydros, maybe this is killing them.

[Eric ELM]

You asked about other brands. I have never ruined a wheel motor or pump on all the DC's I've had. I've put a total of about 9,000 hours total on the 4 Choppers, but the one is a 2001 with 350 hours. It's hard to beat the quad loop hydro system.

[JLC]

Eric, you've got to have some pull with DC. See if you can get a dealer near me in Des Moines. I've heard that they have pulled out of Iowa. I would love to just demo one. I emailed DC with this question and requested literature but never received a response. Does the quad loop have coolers in there somewhere?

[Eric ELM]

The deluxe models have coolers, the painted ones are optional. They have one for the hydro's and one for the motor on the gas versions. The diesel has 2 for the hydro's and of course the radiator for the engine.

I would like to have a closer dealer too. I'm a half hour away from mine. That seems odd they pulled the dealers out of Iowa. I have seen two LS members from Iowa that just posted they got new Choppers. They must be getting them some place around Iowa. :)

[oneEXMARKfan]

I recieved my Dixie Chopper literature a few weeks ago. Impressive!

[CT18fireman]

I talked to my scag dealer who I buy all my equipment from. If the fluid was not all drained and flushed following a pump failure then it is srill containminated. I do not know what caused the first failure. This is my first year with a turf tiger but I have had other scag riders before and never had problems. My old grasshopper was a different story.

[Cleve]

Hey, just a suggestion. I have no idea what these manufacturers use in their equipment from the factory but have you considered using synthetics in these systems?
One of the first things I did with my Walker was change the hydrostatic systems to Mobil 1 engine oil. Of course you need to match the specifications but there are synthetics for just about all lubes now. Both systems on my machine have a small fan for cooling but even in the short time before I changed the fluid it was starting to show some heat damage. At least the synthetic will withstand the heat better. Might prolong the life.
Cleve.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Absolutely true.

Cleaning / flushing is crucial for eliminating hydro pump/motor failures. If the system is clean and properly spec'ed out there is no reason for many years of use without any problems. Introduce contamination and there is a big problem.

Any particulates in the system will keep you on the path of constant failures. I am surprised SCAG doesn't warranty this. Did you modify your system in any way? Are you the original owner?

Barry

[GLM]

I belive that the pumps are manufactured by someone other than Scag (ie. Ross or White). Most of the companys use the same pumps and motors,so its not a scag issue. Remember that heat is the number one killer of hydraulic oil.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Just seemed weird.

Our dealers (as far as I know)promise to fix it regardless of what the part manufacturer gives us for a warranty. We eat the difference.

For instance, Peerless gives us way less than a year warranty and yet we cover it under our warranty regardless.

Guess different OEM's do it differently.

Barry
Gravely Engineer

[Mark]

I purchased a new Toro Z Master last yr and put 2hrs on it and the right motor pump went.My dealer gave me a loaner and fixed it, new pump and motor,mines warranted for 2yrs on the motor and pumps and my dealer who ive delt with for 10yr said don't worry if anything under warranty goes bad he will back me 100%. He should after all the money ive spent there. Marks Mowing Service PS I still can't understand why your dealer won't warrant this my dealer sells scag also and he sure would,maybe you should pressure him abit. Thats just not right and he knows it.

[HOMER]

What were the symptoms? My Super Z has picked up a humming sound and vibration that happens when I crank it. I thought it was an idler pulley so I replaced that but it didn't fix it. This happens when the engine is on but the blades are not engaged so the only other pulleys that are turning are the pump pulleys. I can reduce rpm's and the vibration stops. It is comes and goes. It doesn't seem to be affecting the drive performance though so I am at a loss!

[JLC]

The symptoms that my cutter is displaying are as follows. Under normal operation the forward and reverse movements are smooth, push forward and machine starts to move smoothly. When the right side was on its way out I would have to keep pushing the lever forward without any movement of the machine. I would finally "catch" and the machine would jerk into motion. It was impossible to operate the machine smoothly. Now left side is doing the same thing.