Transmission fail??

[littleorange32]

How do you no if your transmission is failing in a zd21? It turns fine both directions, goes fwd and reverse. But the temp gauge keeps showing hott but is bouncing like crazy. It sometimes looses power when I push it up to full speed. I will slow it back down and the engine regains the power back. I no the zd21 has bad issues with the transmission failing and I am hoping this is not the case. Checked the fluids all full, air filter clean, rad. screen cleaned, has coolant. Im thinking I will be taking it to the dealer, but again scared of that call saying the tranny is bad. All help please!

Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

When was the last time you changed Hydraulic filters?
What you are describing sounds like a hydraulic restriction.

 

[kc8fbl]

Filter and fluid change would be a good start.

 

[Bulldog]

Since it's hydraulic driven, like the others said I would be looking at filters and fluid first.

 

[Stubbyie]

Not familiar with your particular machine, but are cooling fans present at or near the hydraulic motors? They may be full of foreign material, clogged, not moving air, or damaged.

We use a ZTR similar but not Kubota and the fans accumulate enough junk during use that unless you know they're there you may not see them. Blow clean with air and back to work. Caution don't run the air snout into the plastic fan blades.

Please post back your experiences and resolution so we may all learn.

 

[littleorange32]

Ok great thanks!! I will try this and let you know if it works! I will work on it over the weekend. Is it worth adding the transmission kit to it to prevent it from failing you think? Kits run $260, I mow only my yard mostly flat with one small area with smaller hill.

 

[littleorange32]

So i changed both fuel filters, new air filter, new Trans hyd filter and Fluids i also cleaned the fan blades in front of the gear box house.. Runs good until i start mowing, then i loose power again bogging down and temp goes back up. I did not blow out my fuel lines.. Could it be that or something to do with a pully or belt on the deck?? I turn off pto and sit at idle temp gauge goes back to normal...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I think you need to pull the deck and check all of the workings with it.
If you have a spindle bearing that is seizing up it would cause excessive drag on the system.

 

[littleorange32]

I have power back now, so figured that out. Think it was fuel filter and some dull blades happening there. The gauge I think is bad for the temp. or I need a new thermometer maybe. I drove around yesterday W/O mower on and the gauge bounced, I tapped gauge and it bounced back down. I pulled the deck, the bearings appear to be good still, blades turn and have no wobble to them. Thanks for all the help!