2 Turf Tiger hydro pumps in 2 weeks

[Stonewall]

Yep. That adds up pretty quick. Apparently, the bearings just went bad and sprung a leak, messing everything up in the process. I might ask my mechanic if I need to plan on replacing the bearings every winter as preventative maintenance, but I don't know how much it would cost. He said the failure was not oil related, but I wonder if it would have happened if I was using Amsoil or another synthic oil. With 2 new pumps, I guess the time would be now to make the change. Anybody else had this problem?

[JLC]

I've gone through a pump and wheel motor on the right side of mine, and it feels like I'm having a similar problem on the left side.

[Jerrys Lawn Service]

We've got over 400 hrs. on our first TT. no problems yet.
I guess we got one of the good ones, our new TT. is to new to tell only 30 hrs. on it.
Good Luck!
jerryslawnservice@home.com

[Stonewall]

Mine has over 1450 hours on it. In the last 6 months, I put a new 23 hp Kohler on it, upgraded to the advantage deck, and 2 hydro pumps. Too late to turn back now.

[Eric ELM]

There have been other posts in the past about pump failure on the TT's. If you do a search on them, you will find them.

[David Gretzmier]

regardless of posts, I've heard of this too. How long should a hydro pump last, assuming normal use/abuse we throw out? why is it some seem to last so much longer than others?

Dave

[Paradise Yard Service]

This equipment is way too exspensive to have this kind of stuff happen. You should not even see the whites of your dealers eyes for at least a couple seasons. Good thing you got Lawnsite to swap notes. I don't see how these companies can put out this stuff and expect us to take a hit when things go bad. Down time sucks, and for you in the beggining of the season no less! Class action lawsuits settle this kind of shananigines to make up for lost work$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Geev Um Brah! Thats what we say in Hawaii.

Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by David Gretzmier
How long should a hydro pump last, assuming normal use/abuse we throw out? why is it some seem to last so much longer than others?

Dave

As most of you know, I run Choppers, I put 2000 on one and traded it it, I put 2500 hours on one and sold it to a buddy. I now have 3270 hours on my oldest one and 377 on my 2001 diesel and I have never had pump problems.

From what I hear, the main problem with pumps is when changing hydro filters, getting air in the lines and they can quit in 10 minutes. Hydro systems are sealed so you shouldn't be getting dirt in them.

What company is providing the pumps for Turf Tigers? I don't think there are to many companies making them.

[awm]

the more post i read about some makes of mower,the more glad i am that i got lucky enough to pick the one i did.
tha noise is me running to find some wood to knock on.

[Stonewall]

Eric,

Scag's pumps are made by Hydro Gear which are supposed to be good from what I hear. My mechanic said the problem is not limited to Scag. They sell Toro as well. I don't know if Hydro Gear is on other machines.

[HOMER]

I have over 1100 hrs on my Super Z Scag and have had no pump problems. I don't know what pump they used on them but sounds like they need to go back to them.

[Stonewall]

They've been using Hydro Gear at least since I bought my first Scag hydro walk behind in 96. That's one of the reasons I bought Scag because I thought their pumps and wheel motors were better than the Exmark around here at the time. My mechanic told me it would cost approx. $80 each pump to replace the bearings if I wanted to do it as preventative maintenance in the winter. These pumps are not abused, but they do have plenty of hours on them. I would be curious to hear how many hours people have on their primary mower. I put a little under 500 hours a year on mine as a solo operator.

[John DiMartino]

I know the mechanic at my Dixie dealer pretty good,he was telling me that he had one Dixie last year that ate 4 pumps in 3 months,all the tests were within specs,and pressures were OK to,,come to find out,the hydro filter mount had a tiny crack,just enough to suck a little air with the fluid.So you might want to check your suction side fittings,and such for slightly damp spots,and cracks.Id be very ticked if i burned up 2 pumps in that time.

[Stonewall]

John,

Apparently my problem was with the pump shaft bearings/seals that went out. Would the suction-side leaks you mentioned contribute to that?