Hydro-Gear EZT - how hot is normal?

[eflyersteve]

Hey all - my first post!

I have 6 acres and I keep about 3 of it for a lawn and 2 cut back a couple times a year. I just purchased a new Simplicity Axion/Snapper 150Z/Craftsman ZTR6000 (42" 21hp) to mow the 3 acre portion as I have lots of trees and flower beds to go around. I've only put about 2 hours on the new ZTR and am noticing that I'm getting things done quicker than with my old 42" lawn tractor. I'm also looking forward to mowing now.

To the point - I just finished up an hour of mowing and noticed that the hydros are really hot. When washing it off, the water will steam off of them. Not sizzle or boil though so it's not 'smoking' hot - just pretty darn warm.

Is this normal? The mower seems to run well enough. The only issue is the right side (which has the tracking adjustment) needs to be slowed up a bit as it's tracking to the left. I did this when I first got it and it needs it again - not much, just a little. I don't know if that has anything to do with the heat - just throwing that in.

Anyway - thanks to all for a great site. I've learned a lot.

[eflyersteve]

I guess I'll assume that this amount of heat is normal as things seem to work fine with no degradation in performance.

In case anyone is interested, I'll give an update in a few months.

[cgaengineer]

The heat is normal...you are good to go. Run them really hard and the hydro oil will expand and leak out of the lid on the reservoir.

[eflyersteve]

Thanks a lot for the response. I had looked at the service manual for this gear and thought that would be a symptom of too much heat (leaking oil).

Much appreciated!


Steve

[cgaengineer]

Thanks a lot for the response. I had looked at the service manual for this gear and thought that would be a symptom of too much heat (leaking oil).

Much appreciated!


Steve

No problem, glad I could help. Just make sure you keep the fluid level checked as a dry/low hydro system will turn to scrap metal in a minute.