Has anyone lost a hydro pump or motor on a Exmark zero turn? I have a 2004 Exmark that has lost some power on right side and really becomes noticeable when turning left or when running on a yard sloping to the right....looses power and speed on right wheel. Belt is tight, hydro tank full....fluid and filter changed about 30 hrs. ago. I do most of my own repairs but not sure if its pump or wheel motor.
Exmark Lazer Z Hydro Question
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Hydro had new filter/oil about 30 hrs. ago. I think it has been a slowly developing problem. The left motor has full power and pretty much carries the left side when mowing in a straight line. The right motor doesn't hold back the left when going straight, or make mower turn right....just has no power on right. (the mower will turn right if going up a hill due the under powered right side)
I don't have oil leaks anywhere. One belt drives both pumps but I did read on this forum that if the belt is not tight enough one pump could slip and not the other ( quote said exmark and dixie chopper were guilty of this). I find this hard to believe but I will check it out. ..Thanks guys
Here is what you should do. First is there any noise when you move the stick, like a loud screeching noise? If not then hget a magnet and stick it in the oil resivor and check if there is any metal dust. if there is then it could be a a hydro pump but they usually make a loud screeching noise if that is the problem and it would probably be the wheel motor. If no metal pieces are preasent then flush out the whole system with kerosene and really flush outthe wheel motors. Chances are it is a wheel motor , did you ever change a hydro pump on the mower?
It doesn't make much noise....not too different then normal. I am the 2nd owner but I'm sure pumps and wheel motors are original....has about 1000hrs on it. Only replaced Kohlor starter and deck spindles. If I jack up the mower both wheel motors run at about the same speed and sound normal, but under a load (like up hill) the right motor looses power and if I keep levers at the same position, due to loss of power on right motor, mower wants to turn right.....I have to compensate by bringing back the left lever and pushing the right full ahead, of course, I then loose ground speed untill I get on flat ground.
I will check all these things everybody has suggested in the morning.
OK. Do you have a magnet that you can stick in the oil resivor and check for metal dust,? If so do that. Chances are that the wheel motor is bad, but only a thousand hours on the mower really isnt that much. My mowers get at least 3500 hours on them before they need a wheel motor change and the pumps last at least 3000 hours. also make sure none of the hydro lines are pinched too. Get back to me on this, we'll figure this out. Also check to make sure that the right hydro pump pully isnt spinning on the hydro shaft too.
Guess what I found turned out a 1/4 turn? ....Can't believe I looked past the first thing I should have checked. I very seldom open the pump valves so I just forgot about them. The great Exmark is as good as ever!
Thank you guys......this is a great forum!
Yeah I hate racking my head against a wall, spending money on crap that isn't broke just to find out it is the simplest thing. Done that on a few few filters. this new fuel just clogs them so quick.
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