ZT2800 Hydrogear - 500 Hours on Original Fluid / Filter

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SwampSurvivor

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Apr 9, 2008
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Just picked up a Zeroturn for a real good price with two of these transaxles

For the price, I really wasn't concerned with the quality of the unit. Figured it would be something to get a year or two out of. Looked underneath and turns out it has the ZT2800 tranxaxles which seem to be the lowest of the "good" hydrostat transmissions.

The unit has 500 hours on it. Seems to work well, whines a bit but I think that's the nature of zturns? I don't believe it's ever been serviced.

Have Hydrogear filters coming in, planning to use M1 15w50 on it as that seems to be the best oil I can run.

With so many hours unserviced - any idea what kind of life I can expect out of these?
 
I would watch the Hydro Gear videos on how to bleed them after service. They can be a little difficult to purge the air. Change the fluid and filters. They last a long time.
 
You should be fine, the M1 is a decent substitute that you can find on the shelf; I actually had HPL create a 20w50 package for the ZT3100s in my Ariens that's available, and I think @Drew7a talked Dave into making a 5w50 version as well. In reality, these seem really easy on the gear oil; the Amsoil I drained at 140 hours looked brand new.

Bleeding procedure: pull the disconnects underneath, start the engine, and slowly but fully engage the directional levers forwards and backwards probably 15-20 times each, until the units quiet down. Amsoil had just a little more whine to it than OEM or HPL, but it didn't bother the units one bit. Then re-engage the disconnects and enjoy!
 
The ideal interval is at 75hrs and then 400hrs. I'd be shocked if you didn't get a good service life out of these.
 
What do the experts think about using a CD50 type transmission fluid instead of engine oils in this application?
The predominant additive pack is BaSO4.
 
Keep them cool, and they will outlast the frame. Temperature is #1 issue. You can also switch it out to a high viz hydraulic fluid...but I have beaten that horse enough.
 
SwampSurvivor said:
It seems these are used in commercial applications. But this is already at 500 hours on original fluid and filter
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I'm sure it is fine, the fluid isn't subject to combustion like engine oil. I've drained hydro fluid out of machines with similar hours and it still looked amber/clear. I'd change it with Mobil 1 15w50 or Valvoline synthetic 20w50. Those are the oils I've been using for years in all sorts of hydros. They have even helped seemingly weak hydros to perform better after a fluid change. I would get the OEM filter though.
 
jeepman3071 said:
I'm sure it is fine, the fluid isn't subject to combustion like engine oil. I've drained hydro fluid out of machines with similar hours and it still looked amber/clear. I'd change it with Mobil 1 15w50 or Valvoline synthetic 20w50. Those are the oils I've been using for years in all sorts of hydros. They have even helped seemingly weak hydros to perform better after a fluid change. I would get the OEM filter though.
Click to expand...
Good to know it's not a death sentence with higher hours
 
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