KUBOTA'S ZD28 HYDROSTAT MODIFICATION FIX KIT (1 of 6)
.... This is what the Kubota dealer told and implied to me. The failure of the Kubota ZD28 hydrostat is caused by mowing on hills, apparently pretty good sized ones at that. What happens is that the squash plates (for the lack of a better name) become starved for oil and the machine sucks in AIR and apparently prematurely wears out the contacting squash plates which are supposed to operate in a constance pool of oil. The fix is, to replace the hydrostat's flexible filler cap with an expandable air tight screw down cap (see pic). Remove the hydrostat's DIP stick and replace it with a small right angle elbow (see pics) Install a white plastic-like recovery bottle just under the fender and on the mower's right side (see pics). Connect the small right angle elbow with a small rubber-like hose to the recovery bottle (see pics). Also, I was told that the threaded screw-in filter screen was removed and checked and the fluid in the hydrostat was replaced. During operation, when the hydrostat needs oil, hill or not, it sucks the oil, rather than air, that it needs now from the recovery bottle into the hydrostat. Now, the implication is, with this fix the problem goes away. This is all the information I have on this problem at present.
.... I personally spent a couple of years talking and demoing, when I could, to all kinds of associated people plus the very good and positive experiences I have had with my own Kubota tractor “L” series before purchasing. Yes, I distantly heard early on that there was a hydrostat problem, but I also heard that problem had been fixed and then they doubled the warranty from two years to four. And it was after this consideration that I made my proud purchase of my new ZD28. Then I started hearing more people having hydrostat problems with very low hours. It was at this point, I, and I am sure some Kubota dealers, also became concerned, especially when I heard that wheel motors were $2500.00 per side. I still have confidence in Kubota, but at the same time I don't want to get stuck with a very expensive lawnmower that won't mow.
.... What is your feeling here. Do you feel that this dealer installed modification fix kit will resolve this problem? Are there others as concerned as I am about their mowers? Do you feel that if your mower has low hours but many years that Kubota will stand behind their product with this problem? What are your thoughts?
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.... This is what the Kubota dealer told and implied to me. The failure of the Kubota ZD28 hydrostat is caused by mowing on hills, apparently pretty good sized ones at that. What happens is that the squash plates (for the lack of a better name) become starved for oil and the machine sucks in AIR and apparently prematurely wears out the contacting squash plates which are supposed to operate in a constance pool of oil. The fix is, to replace the hydrostat's flexible filler cap with an expandable air tight screw down cap (see pic). Remove the hydrostat's DIP stick and replace it with a small right angle elbow (see pics) Install a white plastic-like recovery bottle just under the fender and on the mower's right side (see pics). Connect the small right angle elbow with a small rubber-like hose to the recovery bottle (see pics). Also, I was told that the threaded screw-in filter screen was removed and checked and the fluid in the hydrostat was replaced. During operation, when the hydrostat needs oil, hill or not, it sucks the oil, rather than air, that it needs now from the recovery bottle into the hydrostat. Now, the implication is, with this fix the problem goes away. This is all the information I have on this problem at present.
.... I personally spent a couple of years talking and demoing, when I could, to all kinds of associated people plus the very good and positive experiences I have had with my own Kubota tractor “L” series before purchasing. Yes, I distantly heard early on that there was a hydrostat problem, but I also heard that problem had been fixed and then they doubled the warranty from two years to four. And it was after this consideration that I made my proud purchase of my new ZD28. Then I started hearing more people having hydrostat problems with very low hours. It was at this point, I, and I am sure some Kubota dealers, also became concerned, especially when I heard that wheel motors were $2500.00 per side. I still have confidence in Kubota, but at the same time I don't want to get stuck with a very expensive lawnmower that won't mow.
.... What is your feeling here. Do you feel that this dealer installed modification fix kit will resolve this problem? Are there others as concerned as I am about their mowers? Do you feel that if your mower has low hours but many years that Kubota will stand behind their product with this problem? What are your thoughts?
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