ZD1211 Hydraulic Oil Service

[Foxxhat]

Hello,

I have a 2021 ZD1211 with 366 hours. I'm doing the hydraulic service and drained the main tank as well as the LH and RH rear axles. 12 litres came out but it doesn't want to fill up properly. I barely have 8 litres pumped in and the level is up to the top of the reservoir. I tried to open what looks to be vent plugs on the axles but didn't make a change. I loosened the axle drain plugs to see if there was anything down in them and some came out but didn't gush out. Manual says to fill SLOWELY and I didn't see that part. I have a high-volume hydraulic hand pump and used that to full it. Seems like a bug air lock but I can't tell. Manual doesn't even mention the vent plugs on the rear axles which I find kind of strange. Any suggestions?

 

[Steve67]

On my z422 there is a breather port plug that needs to be removed to allow venting while refilling with hydraulic fluid. Sounds like you have something similar, maybe retrace your steps again?

 

[Nicfin36]

I have no idea, but was wondering how long has it been since you filled it. I wonder if sitting overnight would allow the air to escape?

 

[Foxxhat]

I have no idea, but was wondering how long has it been since you filled it. I wonder if sitting overnight would allow the air to escape?

It has been sitting overnight. With vent ports open. Weird stuff.

 

[whitetiger]

You will need to run the unit for a few minutes, then shut it off and top of the reservoir. You will need to do this several times, then drive it and top it off. Keep doing this until the level stays on the FULL mark.

Kubota ZD units do not have any bleeders, the only thing that removing the upper plugs on the final drives accomplishes is to run oil on the floor.

 

[Foxxhat]

You will need to run the unit for a few minutes, then shut it off and top of the reservoir. You will need to do this several times, then drive it and top it off. Keep doing this until the level stays on the FULL mark.

Kubota ZD units do not have any bleeders, the only thing that removing the upper plugs on the final drives accomplishes is to run oil on the floor.

Thanks, I was able to figure it out. I ended up filling the axles from the upper plugs and then as you say, run the machine and top accordingly from the top.

 

[whitetiger]

Thanks, I was able to figure it out. I ended up filling the axles from the upper plugs and then as you say, run the machine and top accordingly from the top.

There is no need to fill through the upper plugs, just add it through the fill port.

 

[513abb]

I just did this same service on my 2016 zd1211 with 460 hours. Everything was working perfectly before. After the deck raises really slowly and jerky. I let it sit overnight thinking maybe the air would workout. When I got on today it wouldn’t move until it ran for a minute. Trying to figure out what to do

 

[513abb]

There is no need to fill through the upper plugs, just add it through the fill port.

There is no need to fill through the upper plugs, just add it through the fill port.

I just did this same service on my 2016 zd1211 with 460 hours. Everything was working perfectly before. After the deck raises really slowly and jerky. I let it sit overnight thinking maybe the air would workout. When I got on today it wouldn’t move until it ran for a minute. Trying to figure out what to do

 

[whitetiger]

I just did this same service on my 2016 zd1211 with 460 hours. Everything was working perfectly before. After the deck raises really slowly and jerky. I let it sit overnight thinking maybe the air would workout. When I got on today it wouldn’t move until it ran for a minute. Trying to figure out what to do

Run it for a couple of minutes, shut it off, and top off the hydraulic fluid. Drive the unit back and forth a few times, shut it off, and top off the hydraulic oil.
They take some time to refill and get bleed out, adding oil through the side plugs will not help at all.

 

[lugbolt]

whitetiger is 100% correct.

it takes several cycles to get them bled out.

 

[saajaguarxk]

whitetiger is 100% correct.

it takes several cycles to get them bled out.

I have a ZD1211-60 Zero Turn Mower and just completed the annual service which included the transmission filters & fluid change. I drained the main reservoir and both the left and right rear axle gear cases. The filters are Kubota brand and the oil is Kubota UDT2. I ran the machine after the service was completed according to the manual slowly, making several turns to the left, right, raising & lowering the deck. All checked out perfectly. I rechecked the transmission fluid and brought it up to the full indication. It needed about 2 qts additional fluid. I ran it again making turns and moving the mower deck up and down; all checked out and the fluid was at the full mark. I restarted the mower and parked it in front of my barn to put it under cover, pressed the brake, got off the mower and opened the barn doors. When I went back to the mower I released the brake and now the mower will not move forward or backward and the deck will not cycle up. It is running perfectly, except no movement. I shut it off, turned it back on, still no movement. I have checked the fluid levels, looked for leaks, made sure the plugs are not leaking. Nothing. HELP! I’m out of ideas.

 

[saajaguarxk]

I have a ZD1211-60 Zero Turn Mower and just completed the annual service which included the transmission filters & fluid change. I drained the main reservoir and both the left and right rear axle gear cases. The filters are Kubota brand and the oil is Kubota UDT2. I ran the machine after the service was completed according to the manual slowly, making several turns to the left, right, raising & lowering the deck. All checked out perfectly. I rechecked the transmission fluid and brought it up to the full indication. It needed about 2 qts additional fluid. I ran it again making turns and moving the mower deck up and down; all checked out and the fluid was at the full mark. I restarted the mower and parked it in front of my barn to put it under cover, pressed the brake, got off the mower and opened the barn doors. When I went back to the mower I released the brake and now the mower will not move forward or backward and the deck will not cycle up. It is running perfectly, except no movement. I shut it off, turned it back on, still no movement. I have checked the fluid levels, looked for leaks, made sure the plugs are not leaking. Nothing. HELP! I’m out of ideas.

I solved my problem. Service manual requires more oil than I calculated. Duh Every time I would fill it, drive a bit, all OK, let it sit for 2 minutes then no go. Did this 3 times before it finally was satisfied. Boy was it thirsty! I will be checking it again before the first mowing of the lawn this week to make sure it is full. Anyway, thanks for listening to my trials and tribulations.