Simplicity Cobalt 30HP 61" ZT

[Sequoiasoon]

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.

The K46 in my JD LTR166 I thought was dead, it was bad. This is the 2nd or 3rd time since owning it for past 11 years I had to swap fluid. Hard to get to but I used the oil extractor and got all out I could. I replaced with SuperTech 20W-50 and a little run and it seems to be OK again. I didn't install my deck yet because while it's accessible I'm going to extract the SuperTech and replace with 5W-50 High Performance Lubricants Hydrostatic transmission fluid. Hopefully that will work better and last longer then the Mobil 1 15W-50 it had.

HPL also has a 20W-50 Hydrostatic fluid if you want for future.

 

[fantastic]

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

They put I brand new synthetic 20w-50 which is correct so no need to change it anytime soon.

 

[jeepman3071]

Nice mower!

 

[fantastic]

Nice mower!

Ive been eyeballing a window of opportunity to come around to zero turns and an older unit like this seemed to be a an interesting gamble and at $3k it isn't going to hurt too bad if it doesn't. I don't know how much would go into replacing a pump or something but certainly don't want to replace the engine anytime soon as that could be more expensive repair. Then I'd need to do it myself to make it worth the save.

 

[fantastic]

The K46 in my JD LTR166 I thought was dead, it was bad. This is the 2nd or 3rd time since owning it for past 11 years I had to swap fluid. Hard to get to but I used the oil extractor and got all out I could. I replaced with SuperTech 20W-50 and a little run and it seems to be OK again. I didn't install my deck yet because while it's accessible I'm going to extract the SuperTech and replace with 5W-50 High Performance Lubricants Hydrostatic transmission fluid. Hopefully that will work better and last longer then the Mobil 1 15W-50 it had.

HPL also has a 20W-50 Hydrostatic fluid if you want for future.

I tried removing my wheels one time and I was out there swinging a hammer.

I tried all the torch and water tricks. Wheels are cemented on with rust etc. No way I'd be interested in replacing fluid as I think the unit would need to be removed. That alone would probably get me charged another $300 and parts cost replacement.

Sounds like your unit had a few hours on it but no meter?

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I tried removing my wheels one time and I was out there swinging a hammer.

I tried all the torch and water tricks. Wheels are cemented on with rust etc. No way I'd be interested in replacing fluid as I think the unit would need to be removed. That alone would probably get me charged another $300 and parts cost replacement.

Sounds like your unit had a few hours on it but no meter?

No meter. I bought it from neighbor behind me. She didn't approve of his girlfriend so the house and everything else got sold. Mine is around 25 years old based on when they were made. It probably has 5-600 hours total based on the hours/season I've used it and I know he did about the same.

If you watch a couple video's and know where your fill plug is, hardest part (after getting to it) is the snap ring on the fan. The rest lifts up accordingly. I have a Harbor Freight extractor and using the thin hose I got almost all the fluid about, about 2 quarts. Transmission has 2 sides so you need to extract both, video's show better. Refill, run it to prime/bleed it and reassemble.

I'll try to get a better picture when I swap out fluid, maybe next week. Travel plans to VA on Friday and back Sunday.

 

[oldcodger]

Drill and tap drain plugs to make things easier. Several You Tube videos on doing it. That is what I did to mine.

 

[fantastic]

Guy dropped it off and I went to mow the grass at 7pm.

This thing is stupidly large for my yard but as long as I watch everything it worked. Obviously the wide open area in my yard just chewed up the grass with that 61" deck. I noticed a lot less passes that's for sure!

Here's some pics...
I noticed the Donaldson branded air filter housing. I've mentioned on here that I think they make some of the best air filters!!!

And the rear end comparison to my Husqvarna built Craftsman. Crazy!!!

Pic of the yard after mowing. Yes, it did scalp the grass in a few spots but that's because I need some dirt to level out the yard. They're recommending Mobil or Castrol hydraulic fluid.

Mobil 1™ 15W-50 oil OR
Castrol Syntec™ 5W-50 oil

 

[Opelman]

Very nice unit. I had a customer in with one earlier this year for a leaking hydro pump and full service. The pump got a factory seal kit and it was a pleasure to test mow with it after all was done.

 

[fantastic]

Very nice unit. I had a customer in with one earlier this year for a leaking hydro pump and full service. The pump got a factory seal kit and it was a pleasure to test mow with it after all was done.

Thanks

The pumps look good with no signs of leaking but not m sure it can happen quickly. Good to hear they can be resealed. I suppose it's worth resealing rather than replacing due to cost if nothing else seams wrong with the pump?

Surprisingly it didn't take too long for me to get my bearings together on how to steer this thing. Totally green to the experience but was quite exciting.

 

[thastinger]

Guy dropped it off and I went to mow the grass at 7pm.

This thing is stupidly large for my yard but as long as I watch everything it worked. Obviously the wide open area in my yard just chewed up the grass with that 61" deck. I noticed a lot less passes that's for sure!

Here's some pics...
I noticed the Donaldson branded air filter housing. I've mentioned on here that I think they make some of the best air filters!!!

And the rear end comparison to my Husqvarna built Craftsman. Crazy!!!

Pic of the yard after mowing. Yes, it did scalp the grass in a few spots but that's because I need some dirt to level out the yard. They're recommending Mobil or Castrol hydraulic fluid.

Mobil 1™ 15W-50 oil OR
Castrol Syntec™ 5W-50 oil

View attachment 343298
View attachment 343290

View attachment 343291

View attachment 343292

View attachment 343293

View attachment 343294

View attachment 343295

View attachment 343296

Looks like you have one hydrogear pump and one Parker pump? Based on what you put above for part numbers, the pumps should be Parker. Maybe one parker was replaced but that would be very unusual as the rarely fail. I have a 2000 model Wright Stander that has Parker pumps and it has 1700 hours on the original pumps.

Are they different pumps?

 

[Marcozi]

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the 2 electric fans for?

 

[Opelman]

Thanks

The pumps look good with no signs of leaking but not m sure it can happen quickly. Good to hear they can be resealed. I suppose it's worth resealing rather than replacing due to cost if nothing else seams wrong with the pump?

Surprisingly it didn't take too long for me to get my bearings together on how to steer this thing. Totally green to the experience but was quite exciting.

Customers unit had Hydro Gear pumps. Factory reseal kit was about $40.00.

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the 2 electric fans for?

Those aren't electric fans, they are fan blades mounted on the end of the hydraulic pump shaft to move air over the pumps. The shaft goes all the way through the pump and the belt drive pulley is mounted on the opposite end underneath.

 

[fantastic]

Looks like you have one hydrogear pump and one Parker pump? Based on what you put above for part numbers, the pumps should be Parker. Maybe one parker was replaced but that would be very unusual as the rarely fail. I have a 2000 model Wright Stander that has Parker pumps and it has 1700 hours on the original pumps.

Are they different pumps?

Good eye! I didn't even notice the difference but just got it here.

Based on the serial# listed in the manual above it's supposed to have:
(Wheel Motor/Pump)
TF0240LS081AAKZ/PG-3H
TF0240LS080AAKZ/PG-3H

However, If you're sitting in the seat the right side pump is labeled PK-3K (Not PG-3H like the manual suggests). While the left side has no markings or identification I can find & looks totally different than the Parker pump but everything seems to hook up to it. When I kind of look for potential evidence of replacement it's hard to tell but the Parker pump doesn't look like it's been replaced by looking at the mounting bolts etc. So it would be the pump w/no markings that would've been replaced already?. I know that's not very scientific.

It seems the PK-3K has more flow?.

Left Side Pump:

Right Side Pump:

 

[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.

Found it

 

[Marcozi]

Customers unit had Hydro Gear pumps. Factory reseal kit was about $40.00.

Those aren't electric fans, they are fan blades mounted on the end of the hydraulic pump shaft to move air over the pumps. The shaft goes all the way through the pump and the belt drive pulley is mounted on the opposite end underneath.

Thanks!

 

[fantastic]

Oil cooler 60% plugged! Took the cooler off and cleaned it up with vacuum and air compressor. Little holes in the cooler were plugged too.

Seeing this I'll need to remove the engine cover to clean the heads off. They're probably dirty too.

How the air gets pulled through the engine shroud is pretty cool. Certainly commercial stuff.

 

[fantastic]

Well, why not dive in a bit further to make sure the heads are clean? Why not check the valve lash too? So, I did all of that and wiped off some dirt. Almost like they took this thing muddin.

Lights don't work so I pulled the switch which had one wire disconnected. Haven't tried them yet after starting the mower.

Surprisingly the heads were clean. I blew everything down with the air compressor. Of course the dust fills the air so the stuff gets everywhere even if you don't see layers.

The valves seemed to be in spec but broke them all lose to do it myself anyways. I did need to open up the spark plugs to 0.030 since it was less than that. Stabilizer and Berryman B12 in both tanks with 93 octane.

I found the engine code on the right valve cover. April 2011 so it appears to be an original engine to the machine.

Oh, & I didn't get a pic but I replaced all of the emission & fuel lines that went up to the carb. Most of it was replaced but previous or shop was too lazy to remove the engine cover to get the last foot of the fuel line.

 

[MountainManDan]

The K46 in my JD LTR166 I thought was dead, it was bad. This is the 2nd or 3rd time since owning it for past 11 years I had to swap fluid. Hard to get to but I used the oil extractor and got all out I could. I replaced with SuperTech 20W-50 and a little run and it seems to be OK again. I didn't install my deck yet because while it's accessible I'm going to extract the SuperTech and replace with 5W-50 High Performance Lubricants Hydrostatic transmission fluid. Hopefully that will work better and last longer then the Mobil 1 15W-50 it had.

HPL also has a 20W-50 Hydrostatic fluid if you want for future.

Some Times on Tractor Type - Brake will start Dragging . .
Other is Always Use High Flow Filter Rating of Filters made to be used fir It ..

 

[MountainManDan]

Smart Move on Cleaning out all Air Flow Area's - sure seems Zero Turns get Loaded up more Debris , then Tractor Types ..

My First Zero slightly used - looked like some one was Haying with it ..( Thinking Theirs Broke ) went Down after 2 weeks Fixing
& Parts then Shopping 4 New Zero Tune - His Lawn was 30 Days High - He must have had few Near-By to Mow also - as I see No
Trailer @ His Home - After some Looking Closer at What Went Down - He Bought Larger Unit with Deluxe Seat . .

I could have Gotten Better Deal over in Nashville , Tn _ 2.25Hrs Out .. 1 way .. , but $1500 Off Unit with 5hrs . . isn't to Bad .. Locally . .

DUAL TANKS - Super Duty ~ Today New that be what $14,000 - Ouch . .