Simplicity Cobalt 30HP 61" ZT

[fantastic]

Well, I went into drop off my John Deere mower blades for sharpening. Upon picking them up of course I need to look at their used mower inventory.

This Simplicity caught my attention since it's a commercial mower? And it was $3,000 price tag on it. Showed 2011 Simplicity Cobalt 6xx hours. There's a few things that look a bit rough like the fuel level gauges (can't see through them) etc. online folks are saying these are nearly identical to the Ferris mowers since Briggs and Stratton owned them. Not sure who does now.

Owner came out & let me take it for a spin after he learned I was serious about it. First time on a ZT and at 41 yrs old it was about time...

I had no interest in ZT's all of these years for a couple reasons. Cost being #1, Didn't need one, & fear of a rough ride #2. My yard isn't smooth. This ZT seems to solve at least 2 of those issues. I don't really need one period just to get that out front.

The business is supposed to bring it to my house this week. I don't have a wide enough trailer to move it. Not sure how that'll work out yet. Shows 5.18" wide with shute up and my trailer is 5x10. I need to take a tape measure to it to confirm there's no more width room.

All I know is I've learned that buying an older commercial level mower can be a good option. I have no idea what this thing will need or if it will be a bust but it did ride smooth with that suspension setup.

$3250 w/tax including $40 to deliver it. I'll get some more pictures up once it's here. I need to get the engine model to download the manuals but looks like it might just spec a 30 grade oil. I'll go with a 50 grade though.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I’d say you got a great deal as that retailed for about $10k in 2010-2013. That 30 HP should be unstoppable too.

 

[fantastic]

I’d say you got a great deal as that retailed for about $10k in 2010-2013. That 30 HP should be unstoppable too.

I seen tractor data is showing $9,800 MSRP. I can't make much sense for the hydrostatic transmission.

Hydro-Gear PG-3/HGM-12

I'm assuming it's a 12cc pump? PG-3? The later models got a Hydro-Gear 4400 from reading online. Not sure how it compares to other transmission.

Another thing I do that I don't recommend anyone else doing is mulch mow my yard. I discharge into uncut grass and at times is quite tall yard grass. My 24 HP can struggle at the peak yearly thickness but most of the time does a terrific job under the circumstances. My hope is that Vanguard will do similar but with 61" cut. I only have 0.53 acre town home so it's oversized...ha!

I plan to keep the other mowers but the Craftsman K46 is getting slower at almost 200 hours. I'm sure a some new oil would help with that.

Luckily I built a large strong shelf in the garage and will need to start putting some bulk small engine stuff up there to make more floor space for this thing.

 

[thastinger]

The body and deck look nearly identical to my 2014 Ferris.
You have the Vangaurd engine with an oil cooler, just run a euro 0-40, 10-30, 10-40 etc. it doesn't need a straight weight oil.
I would change the oil and filter on the hydro drives, your probably have ZT3400s like me, be sure you get filters made for hydraulic systems. My manual calls for 20w-50 oil but I have always ran M1 15-50 in them.

 

[fantastic]

The body and deck look nearly identical to my 2014 Ferris.
You have the Vangaurd engine with an oil cooler, just run a euro 0-40, 10-30, 10-40 etc. it doesn't need a straight weight oil.
I would change the oil and filter on the hydro drives, your probably have ZT3400s like me, be sure you get filters made for hydraulic systems. My manual calls for 20w-50 oil but I have always ran M1 15-50 in them.

Awesome, how many hours on yours? The dealer changed the hydraulic fluid and put on a new hydraulic filter. Pretty sure they changed the engine oil as well. When I say 50 grade I don't mean a mono. I'll certainly get a 20w-50 multi grade or similar. Apparently they offered a "500 Hour Oil Change Interval" filter system and it showed a 15w-40. An HDEO would work too it seems. Yes, I saw the manual mentioned 20w-50 Hydraulic fluid but "don't use conventional oil" stated. I wonder what the dealer used. They've been in business since 1987 so they should know.

 

[thastinger]

Hydro-Gear PG-3/HGM-12

So you have divorced pumps and wheel motors, looks like hydro-gear motors with Parker pumps...which is a good combo.

 

[thastinger]

Awesome, how many hours on yours? The dealer changed the hydraulic fluid and put on a new hydraulic filter. Pretty sure they changed the engine oil as well. When I say 50 grade I don't mean a mono. I'll certainly get a 20w-50 multi grade or similar. Apparently they offered a "500 Hour Oil Change Interval" filter system and it showed a 15w-40. An HDEO would work too it seems. Yes, I saw the manual mentioned 20w-50 Hydraulic fluid but "don't use conventional oil" stated. I wonder what the dealer used. They've been in business since 1987 so they should know.

Mine is a 2014 and has 265(ish) hours on it. I cut 11 acres with it at a property that we only go to every other weekend, have owned it since new. It is a 61" deck as well. They cut grass so fast that the hours don't rack up on them in a residential use scenario. Mine has only ever been used to cut that property, has never left the grounds. Can cut all 11 acres in about 2.5 hours of blade spinning time. Have never had any issues with it. I have the B&S Commercial Turf engine on mine, 810cc, was rated at 28HP back then but I think there was a rating spec change a few years back and they derated all the previous engines, like my motor is now rated at 27HP IIRC.
My BIL bought a new Ferris a couple years ago and it has that extended oil drain setup, nothing different other than it holds more oil, like 4 Qts total IIRC. His is fuel injected. I'm not sure I would want a new one for strictly residential use. If you change the oil once a year then the extra capacity is a waste and the FI is sure to give you eventual problems.

 

[JavierH19]

Doesn't have any real wear/use on it for 15 years, still looks new. My 06 gravley looks far far worse but is still very serviceable and runs strong. I'll take seat/arm rest wear any day.

 

[fantastic]

So you have divorced pumps and wheel motors, looks like hydro-gear motors with Parker pumps...which is a good combo.

Thanks

PDF shows 10.2 cc Pump for the PG pumps. Which if I'm peicing this new information together is the part that pressurizes the hydro fluid. While the HGM-12 are the wheel motors the transfer the power to the wheels from the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

 

[oldcodger]

I second the advice about servicing the HydroGear units. Be glad you found a mower that is not sealed with "lifetime fluid". Are you getting any warranty in the deal?

 

[fantastic]

Doesn't have any real wear/use on it for 15 years, still looks new. My 06 gravley looks far worse but is still very serviceable. I'll take seat arm rest wear any day.

Thanks

That gives me some motivation that I didn't completely waste money on it. I can button some of this stuff up over time to be easier on the eyes & this one is sort of a scratch and dent for sure I mean how does one tear up that armrest that bad.

How many hours on your Gravely?

I feel pretty good about it but this is still an older machine but that's really all I've ever bought. Never spent this much on any mower though and rebuilding that JD 260 GT was around $2500. Obviously this is a much bigger machine in comparison but it's fun to keep this stuff going.

Online sources are showing this ZT is 1200 pounds!!! Twice the weight of that JD.

 

[fantastic]

I second the advice about servicing the HydroGear units. Be glad you found a mower that is not sealed with "lifetime fluid". Are you getting any warranty in the deal?

30 days warranty

Yeah the K46 in the Craftsman isn't going to last forever and I've also seen cases on online forums where new fluid didn't work. Now, that Craftsman has served me well for 12 years and 155 hours (190 total) so if that happens it owes me nothing.

 

[IveBeenRued]

Simplicity mowers of that vintage and newer are simply Ferris mowers with different labels which is not a bad thing. They are known for the softest ride thanks to their four wheel suspension and incredible durability because everything is overbuilt. The only downside is the weight. If you have very soft soil, it is very easy to establish tracks unless you change up your mowing pattern.

If you want an even nicer ride, get yourself an aftermarket suspension seat. My Ferris ISX800 has the suspension seat and it is amazing. Soaks up everything that the four wheel suspension misses.

 

[loneryder]

You got a good mower.

 

[thastinger]

Simplicity mowers of that vintage and newer are simply Ferris mowers with different labels which is not a bad thing. They are known for the softest ride thanks to their four wheel suspension and incredible durability because everything is overbuilt. The only downside is the weight. If you have very soft soil, it is very easy to establish tracks unless you change up your mowing pattern.

If you want an even nicer ride, get yourself an aftermarket suspension seat. My Ferris ISX800 has the suspension seat and it is amazing. Soaks up everything that the four wheel suspension misses.

I think the decks are not the same. Ferris had the ICD deck back then that has the sloped nose on the front and IDT the simplicity deck is like that.

 

[thastinger]

Thanks

PDF shows 10.2 cc Pump for the PG pumps. Which if I'm peicing this new information together is the part that pressurizes the hydro fluid. While the HGM-12 are the wheel motors the transfer the power to the wheels from the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Yeah, that is correct in a nutshell. A divorced pump/motor design will typically have a single larger fluid res and a single hydraulic filter, whereas the ZT3400/4400 combined units hold all of their fluid internally and have a spin on filter on each unit (they will have very small expansion tanks for when the fluid heats up it can expand into the small tank then go back into the unit when it cools off)

 

[JavierH19]

Thanks

That gives me some motivation that I didn't completely waste money on it. I can button some of this stuff up over time to be easier on the eyes & this one is sort of a scratch and dent for sure I mean how does one tear up that armrest that bad.

How many hours on your Gravely?

I feel pretty good about it but this is still an older machine but that's really all I've ever bought. Never spent this much on any mower though and rebuilding that JD 260 GT was around $2500. Obviously this is a much bigger machine in comparison but it's fun to keep this stuff going.

Online sources are showing this ZT is 1200 pounds!!! Twice the weight of that JD.

No hour counter on it but it has to be very well over 1000 hours by now if not close to 2. It runs for 2.5-3 hours at a time and gets used 2-3 times a month during mowing season and frequently tows a utility trailer through the whole year.

 

[fantastic]

I think the decks are not the same. Ferris had the ICD deck back then that has the sloped nose on the front and IDT the simplicity deck is like that.

I watched an old YT video of this Cobalt and the narrator mentioned "sloped deck". I'm ripping around with the kids today but I'll try to link it here soon.

 

[fantastic]

Yeah, that is correct in a nutshell. A divorced pump/motor design will typically have a single larger fluid res and a single hydraulic filter, whereas the ZT3400/4400 combined units hold all of their fluid internally and have a spin on filter on each unit (they will have very small expansion tanks for when the fluid heats up it can expand into the small tank then go back into the unit when it cools off)

It has a single large storage/fill for the hydraulic fluid. It indeed looks like it has one hydraulic fluid filter and they did use a correct hydro filter.

I called them a few minutes ago and they stated they did use 20w-50 synthetic fluid, 30 grade engine oil, and sharpened the blades as standard servicing before they put them out for sale.

Very interesting on the 34/4400 pumps. I'll soak up anything I can.

 

[oldcodger]

With the 30 day warranty I would go with whatever hydro fluid the dealer recommends. After the warranty install any brand you want.