Kubota ZD323 Question

[SuperF250]

Hello Everyone,

I have a newly acquired ZD323. I was checking the fluids but I am unsure at what state to check the hydraulic fluid. The manual doesn't make much sense. It says to remove the key, but let the machine Idle for 1-3 min? I'm assuming idle means let sit. Then check it.

I don't want to burn up my hydraulics. I checked it after it has sat for a few days and the level is right on the full line, maybe just a hair over. If I mow with it, power it off, let it sit for 1-3 min and then check it, the level is right on the add mark on the stick. It's a little confusing.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[lugbolt]

Check it cold, just like the engine. I prefer to check before using it after sitting at least an hour. Reason being, oil gets whipped up in the transmission and will sit in the clutch, on all of the internal parts and if you just fire it up, let it idle, and then shut it down-wait a few minutes then check it, it's going to "lie" to you and say that the level is low because oil is still dripping off of everything internally.

As long as it's between the add and full mark, it's fine. Don't overfill it. When even just a little over full, they'll puke a little out of the fill/vent cap and it makes a mess.

 

[rjcorazza]

My ZD326 manual says to check the level with the engine off. I check mine cold as lugbolt states.
I suspect that 1-3 minute idle quote is for when changing the fluid... After draining and refilling the trans you will need to run the machine at idle for a few minutes to distribute the fluid, then shut down and recheck.

 

[SuperF250]

I completed the 400 hours service a while ago. It was a mess. I checked it last night after it has say and it is still over the full mark. I will need to drain a bit more out I suppose. I put 3+ hours on it since the service. Its been over full for 3 hours or so and it hasn't puked any out. I like things to be correct so I will drain a little more off.

Thank you all very much! I had been looking for a straight answer on this and couldn't find it, until now.

 

[SuperF250]

Thanks again for the help!

I drained off the content of my hydraulic filter (I need to break down and buy a suction gun at some point in my life). Once I put it back on I started up the machine and moved the deck up and down and the machine back and forth so that the fluid would circulate.

I checked it after an hour and there was nothing on the stick. The machine was cold and had been moved a total of 3ft so I imagine that played part in that.

I checked it this morning and the fluid is right on the full line. Not over, not under. So that should be good to go right?

 

[rjcorazza]

Umm. I have changed mine 3 times, and idling the machine and moving it a few feet always got the level on the mark. I have no idea why after an hour you are showing nothing on the stick. If the level is correct after sitting overnight I would go with that.
Maybe try using the machine and getting the fluid up to temp, shut down, then check the level in an hour? If you put in a comparable amount of replacement fluid I wouldn't worry about it (but I also get the desire for correct fill levels and consistency!).
On a side note, the 323,326, and 331's are beasts. I've got about 1500h on mine with the only real failures being a fuel pump and starter over the past 8 years or so. My only complaint would be the ridiculous inline fuel filters that clog fast and are a pain to replace. I removed the first one inline and replaced it with a large 2 micron cat canister filter.

 

[SuperF250]

Thanks for the reply. The level is correct after sitting overnight.
I did the 400 hour service a few weeks ago. I have mowed with it a few acres since. The last time I had it up to temp I checked the fluid and it was about perfect, but that was after being on a trailer for about 30 min. Maybe I need to heat it up.

I made a huge mess doing the service. I managed to get it all over everything. I spilled about a quart and a half. I had no way of measuring after that so I just kept topping it off.

Since I have been on here the most it has done is about 3ft in the garage. I will mow with it tomorrow so I will get it up to temp and we can see the readings then. I know it has at least 2.5 gallons in it.

I hope it lasts a long time. I just don't want to tear it up. From what I read the worst thing that can happen is the machine will spit it out the vent if I were to overfill it.

 

[SuperF250]

Alright. I think it's good.

I checked it before I mowed today and it a hair over the full line.

I mowed my 1/3 acre lot and shut it down. Came back after trimming and checked it (about 30 min). It was dead center between the full and add marks. I had to use my wooden dowel dipstick to see it. The metal one was super hard to see. I wish they made some dye for the fluid.

I had been checking it cold and when I would move it in the garage it was cold.
This is the first time since I started this thread that it's been up to temp. It's smooth as silk when turning. It does jump a little if you try to stop abruptly but I haven't driven it enough to know if it's normal or not.

It's surprisingly quiet compared to the exmark that we used to have. The Hydro makes noise but not really loud like the Exmark.

Thanks again for your help.