Hydro Gear ZT-2800, ZT-3100, ZT-3400 Service Hydrostat Oil/Filter Change
This video goes over how to change oil and filters on the Hydro Gear ZT-2800, ZT-3100, ZT-3200, ZT-3400, ZT-3600, and ZT-3800. You can save a lot of money by doing this procedure yourself. Check out the links below for the parts and tools I use to do this transaxle service. Thanks for watching!
Hydro Service Kit - amzn.to/3tp7SwO
Oil Filter Pliers - amzn.to/2QX8pc5
Hex head update plug - amzn.to/3vy9WDA
Air Lift Table - amzn.to/2Rv2ScC
www.powerequipmentman.com/
Camera/Mic setup - amzn.to/3yD3u0X
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I want to be honest, this is by far the best step by step video I have seen. The last videos I seen I was not comfortable with this but after watching this video Iam ready to go! Thank you!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks a lot man! I talked to my dealer this morning about having this service done and they quoted me over $400 dollars. Definitely think I'm gonna do it myself now.
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching
I just did mine. I didn’t use this kit because I can fill mine through the overflow reservoir. It wasn’t difficult but it took quite a while to fill the transaxles with oil. The manual for my Exmark Radius says to loosen the air vent bolts but I probably should have removed them. That’s probably why it took so long to fill.
you sir are a great mechanic. allowing time for something to cool off and wait overnight is going the extra mile and I do the same myself and it does indeed insure a proper repair verifcation. Multiple test runs and letting machines sit overnight to note differences when they are cold vs hot does go a long way. I can tell you strive for 0 comebacks and proper repairs! :) wonderful video and you have another like and a new subscriber ;)
I'm glad to hear there are other mechanics out there that are as picky as I am! Thanks for watching!
The 3100's on my gravely had 2 vent caps on the top of each hydro. I pulled both and followed your procedure. Flawless. Thanks so much for the video.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching
Yea watched one video didn't show the vents on the Gravely mower. Removed worked great. My dealership uses 20/50 synthetic kawasaki oil.
Already got the service kit and I’m doing this tomorrow. No way I would have taken this on without your video. Thank you. 🤜🏼🤛🏼
Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Seen a bunch of these, this ones the most staight forward and concise. Nice job
Thanks for watching!
Best diy video I have ever watched!!!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you sir. You probably have the video of this kind on KZhead. It was very detailed and very thorough.
Thanks for watching!
Best video I've seen concerning changing hydraulic oil on zero turns. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Very well done video! Thanks for taking the time to help us DIY types!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you, every youtube video should be like this, no nonsense to the point and no loud music concert, LOL! Also, provided the products links.
Thanks for watching!
Best job I have seen so far . Great tips and tricks , ty.
Great video! Good easy to follow instructions. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching.
Very good video. I searched for videos on doing this but for some reason this didn’t come up. I’m watching this today but did the process yesterday!
Thanks for watching!
The best explanation I've ever seen! Thanks
Thanks for watching!
I acquired a Z260 a fewcweeks ago. Slightly used. No owners manual or any info on all the required maintenance, or fill-levels, or torque specs. KawFS 24 hp...hydrogear3400s. i never owned a zt, so the more you post, the happier i am!! Thank you for helping us....!!
Great video, thanks for making and posting it. I'm off to change the transmission oil on my wife's mower tomorrow.
Thanks for watching
I love how you say it’s your wife’s mower, obviously your not going to be mowing the lawn 😂
@@garvensgarage8903 When we retired she said "I want acreage" and I replied "I'm not mowing it". She agreed and so I bought her a mower for Christmas. She loves it and does most of the mowing which is easy with the Kubota zero turn we have.
Thanks for the video. Helped a lot. I have a wright zto. The filler plug is easy to remove on non chute side. On the chute side you can’t remove it unless you remove a pulley. I had to unscrew it as much as possible so it at least leaked. Took forever to get the oil to drain into that side. But got it done. Thanks!
Sounds like their engineer wasn't a mechanic! Thanks for watching
Excellent video, covered the procedure very well!!
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video. Best tutorial I've seen in a long time. Thank you man!
Thanks for watching!
awesome detailed description, thank you for this upload
Thanks for watching!
Excellent video 'vee looked at 'em all , yours is the best THANKS
Great! I have 60 hours but its winter and ill be too busy in the spring when I add the next 15 hours. I also noticed a wet spot under the hydros.. like a black cover further in from the filter.. I'll need to keep an eye on that!
Awesome! I knocked this out last night and it worked great! I feel like it has more power and drives better. It certainly drives better. I'm sure it wasn't changed once since new (230 hours). I have a Husqvarna with ZT3100's. I had to remove the entire drive belt tensioner to access the bleed screws. Note to others: The reservoir fills up quick and drains slow. You can't pour the oil into it very fast otherwise you overfill the bottle and get oil everywhere.
Thanks for watching!
Great presentation! I wish it was available when I did my first oil change at 75 hours.
Thanks for watching!
Great video and a lot of help. Thanks for posting !!
Thanks for watching!
Great help,great video. Thanks !!!
Thanks for watching
Super great video!!! I’ll be servicing my Hustler Fastrak SD48” and Hustler Raptor limited 52”
Awesome, thanks for watching!
Great video bro! Thanks man
Thanks for watching!
Awesome tutorial! Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Cheers, great informative video.
Thanks for watching!
Great video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Great vid. Thanks a lot!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you. It should be noted that some units , like my '20 Exmark Quest S 50"(ZT2800), does not have an external expansion tank, the units have short vent hoses next to a fill plug on top. Their operator manual was too vague.
Yes, there are a lot of models now that are not using the expansion tanks. To service those, you must use the fitting that comes with the Hydrogear service kit to pump the oil back in though the air bleeder bolt hole.
@@PowerEquipmentMan I ended up pumping the fluid back in at the small plug at the top of the plate. It took an 11/16" wrench. I was able to get the specific amount in (a little over 2qts), and purged the system as per instructions. I'm glad that's not a service that has to be done that often.
Jonas this video was perfect. I spent 2 days doing a service on the hustler fastrack. the bleeder screws were a bitch. I made the mistake of trying to use a long Allen wrench instead of a Allen socket. Too much flex on those long wrenchs. none on the Allen sockets. I am now suscribed and will pass on the channel to my friends. thank you
Thanks for watching!
Wish I would’ve watched this video prior to doing mine!! 😂🤣 took me 4 days to get 4.75 quarts back in. Haha
Wow. I guess now you know for next time! Thanks for watching
Finally found another Freedom Z. I'm at the point of filling mine back up. These dump valves failed to work on this Skag. After washing this tractor a few times being that it had so much dirt and oil stuck in places that it should not have been. Now you can actually push it by hand now. These filters were very stuck though. I had to take a screwdriver to get them off. I believe that they have never been changed one time since 2006.
It wouldn't surprise me. We see machines all the time that the customer had no idea that they were supposed to change the hydro oil. Thanks for watching!
Jonas, for those of us who have machines with no reservoirs (2023 Scag Liberty Z 42”) could you please make another video, when you have some time, showing the procedure using the bottle pump that comes in the kit. It would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.
I will see what I can do. Thanks for watching!
Can you use synthetic 20w-50 engine oil vs conventional oil? Should the mower be level when draining the Hydro-Gear?
Great video and thank you for posting . Do you know the part number for the service kit ? Thank you
Here is the link - amzn.to/3tp7SwO
Great video. And definitely the best one I’ve seen on this topic. And I subscribed. I do have one question for you. I was watching a video yesterday and this guy had to turn a screw a quarter turn on each hydro. I have the ZT3400 hydro’s. Is the screw he had to turn the same thing as the lever I have to move on each hydro to disengage and engage the hydro’s? Thanks for your time. Ron
I'm not sure what screw he would have been turning. I have never seen these series of hydros with a screw for the release.
Question on bad boys mower is the 3100 series transaxle better than the 3400
No. The higher the number, the better the hydro. So a 3100 is a step down from a 3400.
Great video Very helpful Wanted to know I have a Dixie Chopper 60R cut it is2014 Magunm 2460R With Kawasaki FS730V. I am trying to change the hydraulic fluid on the mower it doesn't have a bleed screw on it has 2 filters and one field Box. Do I still need to purge the system to get the air out. Your help would be gladly appreciated thank you and keep up the good work.
Sorry I don't know much about the Dixie Choppers, we don't really have any of those around here.
How about the Parker wheel motor on the Hustler X-one?
If I can get my hands on an XONE sometime I will definitely do a video on it.
Hi. I have a 2021 54" Hustler Raptor XD in Australia. You did a great video on the servicing of Hydro stat. I have one question though, when you are purging/bleeding the system you would leave the bleeder valve/bolt out, is that correct. The XD has not a reservoir so that would be the fill point. Please advise. thank you
No you would not have the bleeder bolt removed while the engine is running. Here is a link to the service manual, hydro service procedure starts on page 4-7. documoto.digabit.com/ui/document/737912?q=raptor%20xd&exact=false
@@PowerEquipmentMan Hey, yeh thank you. Leave the bolt in while purging. Documoto link you have to sign in but has no option of setting up account. Thanks again
Is it important to turn the mower off in between engaing/disengaging? Also what to do when you don't have a reservoir? Hard to top off a closed system do I only have to go by the overflow from bleeder?
Yes you need to turn the engine off when engaging and disengaging. If you don't have the reservoir, you will use the pump and fitting that comes with the Hydro Gear service kit (see link in the description) to fill the hydros through the bleeder hole. Once oil starts to come out of the fitting, it's full.
Great video. On the ZT 3100 is the air relief bolt on the inside side of where the tire is or on the other side where the filter is located?
The air bleeder bolt should be on the inside of the hydro, close to where your deck belt is.
Thank you
Awesome quality instruction video🎯 at what amount of hours do u guy’s recommend to service the hydros I have a cub cadet Ultima ZT2 🤙🏽
First one at 75 hours, then every 3 years or 200 hours after that (whichever comes first). Thanks for watching
@@PowerEquipmentMan thanks for the advice im a DIY guy lol i do all my landscaping n trimming u name it i do it lol i have about 60 k lot more than half of it is TTTF nice grass we just move to our new house n the maintenance is not easy when u want it to look good so i had to upgrade to a zero turn to make it a little easier gonna service my hydro gears this weekend got 95 hours on my mower thanks for great content 🤙🏽
The 2800 hydros on my Bobcat ZT2000, has internal expansion tanks. I don't like this. I could quickly look at the reservoir tanks to check for leaks and fill during servicing. It still has the external oil filters. Also, the newer EZT 2200+ hydros are somewhat serviceable. They now have drain plugs.
Thanks for watching!
Do you recommend putting anti-seize on the bleeder bolts?
You don't really need to. They are getting covered in oil as you are re-installing them.
Do you have the resivor cap off when purging the air? thanks
No. Thanks for watching
There is no air bleeder screw my 2020 gravely zt 3100 pumps
any video's with cub cadet pro z 900 series ? thanks
No
I have a cub cadet zforce sx60 with the hydo 3100. Since it is a steering wheel zero turn, how exactly do I purge out the air since it's 4 wheel steering and steering wheel instead of a lap bar ?
I'm not a cub cadet guy, but I would assume you just push the pedals. All you need to do is get the tires to turn forwards and backwards.
Do you remove the bleeder screw or just loosen it a few turns?
Completely remove the bleeder screw.
@PowerEquipmentMan how do you know how much to put back in? Mines a ferris z2 and has the external reservoirs for each side.
@@travisconner1581 If you watch the full video, it tells you exactly how to know when the hydros are full. I'm guessing your total capacity should be around 4.5 qts.
Have the zt-3200 hydro gear but I don’t have the air bleeder screw
What year is your mower?
How long does the fluid take to drain into the hydro after you replaced filter.
A long time! I would guess on average around 30 minutes.
Do you know what oil comes standard in a new 2022 Hustler Fastrak SDX with the Hydro Gear ZT3400 transmissions? I need to add some oil to one of the reservoirs to bring the level up to the “full cold” line.
I believe the hydros come pre-filled with oil from Hydro-Gear when Hustler gets them. So I would assume they have the Hydro-Gear oil in them.
@@PowerEquipmentMan I sent an email to Hydro-Gear and they replied back saying “Standard Mobil 1 20w-50”…. But to me, this doesn’t make sense.
I agree with everyone else.Good presentation. Although my right side still whines like it stole something.Doesn’t pull hardly at all. My machine is a 2012 Freedom Z. 63” deck and 30 hp Briggs. Any help ???
Did it whine before doing the oil change? How many hours are on your mower?
I have a Cub Cadet ZT2 with ZT-2800's but no external reservoir. Do I just fill until it starts coming out of the fill hole? Then check the level again after the purge procedure?
Yes
Question I have a husqvarna 42 inch wondering do it have hydro kit cause I can’t find it
Depends on which model you have. You might need to ask a dealer.
What do you do if one of the hydro gears will not disengage? I drove it around a little with one not being able to disengage and it sounded okay just like the other that did properly purge.
As long as it is operating smoothly and sounds ok, you should be fine.
You are the best Followed your instruction to the letter. Worked like a dream👏
Thanks for watching!
Stripped purge plug with 1/4 hex drive in center. Any idea how to get it out now
Try grabbing around the outside edge with vice-grip pliers. That's why I say to break those loose before you drain the oil, so if you have to you can still drive it on the trailer and take it to a dealer. Good luck
@@PowerEquipmentMan yes I have not drained any yet.
How did you get the vent plug or air bleeding bolt off?
I show it in the video. Some are a hex head bolt, others are an allen wrench. They are usually VERY tight when new. Good luck!
@@PowerEquipmentManMine were not tight. I was surprised how easy they were to turn.
I have an Exmark radius s series zero turn. Even with the manual I’m having an issue finding the bleeder valves/bolts on both sides. Would they be located in the same position as that scag? BTW it’s a zt-3100
As far as I know, they should be in the same locations.
Can you upgrade from a ZT-2200 to a ZT-2800, on up?
I have never heard of anyone trying to do that. It would most likely be cheaper to just buy a higher grade mower that has the better hydros. The ZT-2800s cost around $800-1000 each, plus labor.
How often should this service be done? I have an Ariens …. ZT 3100 I think
First one at 50 hours. Then every 3 years or 200 hours. Whichever comes first.
I’ve recently got an older mower with ZT-2800’s. It has 575 hours on on it and I don’t believe the oil has ever been changed. Safe to change it or stay away?
I would change it now.
I bought mine last spring and just hit 130hrs. Am I to late to do my first change? Wondering if changing it now could cause damage?
Husqvarna with zt3400
Go ahead and change it now.
I picked up a 420 hour Husqvarna with 3400 hydro’s today. I cut my 3 acre property and noticed the hydros sounds noisy like a car with no power steering fluid. The reservoirs are full actually a little over full nonetheless. Also the oil looks real dark. Not sure if it’s ever been serviced. Do you think the dirty oil is making them noisy like that or something internal wrong?
I would service them and see if it helps. Those hydros should last 1000 hrs or more.
is 200 hr top end or low end between oil change? " good demo"
200 hours is when it should be done. If you want the low end, do it sooner.
have a Dixie Chopper 50 " magnum X , I have not been able to find the hydrostat release control , HELP !
What series of hydros do you have?
@@PowerEquipmentMan DANG thanks for the super quick reply ...it is a ZT-3400
@@uredskivid The shaft for the hydro release goes in the top side of the hydro. Look/feel for the shaft sticking up out of the hydro and then if it has a linkage connected to it. Sorry I'm not very familiar with the Dixie Choppers so I don't have any info on that exact machine.
OK thanks .
What do you do when one of the bleeder valve is on top of hydro
Bleeders are NOT on top of the hydro, they are on the side.
@@PowerEquipmentMan crz green mower has one on side and one on top
Bobcat
Thanks let fluid run out of the top thanks
This ZT 3400 on husky has two separate bleeders 11/16 up top and passenger side is a pain to get to! Do both need to be running oil when filling and how will it evenly fill both sides without clamping off hose on one side then the other? Piss poor design for Access.
The air bleeder from each hydro has to be removed while filling. As soon as oil starts to run out of one, put the plug back in that one only. Then wait until oil runs out of the other one, then put the plug in that one. Then you know both hydros are full and ready to purge.
@@PowerEquipmentMan that's awesome to have you reply and say that! I was thinking either clamp one off at a time until full or give her hell until both running fluid lol. You definitely have a need for a "thin" 11/16 wrench on passenger side which I happen to have at shop and will get tomorrow from toolbox. I'll get it filled and let you know how purge goes. My initial issue was whining terribly on right side... 90hrs on it from New. Awesome video and thanks so much for posting!
Do plugs actually have to be removed all the way or just cracked a few turns as the one is barely accessible?
@@bkirk2278 removed
@@PowerEquipmentMan ok thank you!
What do I do different if my mower has no expansion tanks?
If you don't have the reservoir, you will use the pump and fitting that comes with the Hydro Gear service kit (see link in the description) to fill the hydros through the bleeder hole. Once oil starts to come out of the fitting, it's full.
@@PowerEquipmentMan Thanks for the reply. OK that part is complete filled with oil until it came out of the vent hole. Also purge procedure is complete. With the internal expansion tank how do I check that the system is full after the purge procedure? Pull the vent bolt again and see if oil comes out still?
So anyone needing help. I had to do the purge procedure twice after the fluid change without the reserviors. I cut grass with it for about a half an hour then let it cool overnight between purge procedures. Air bled each purge procedure. Everything appears to be working great. Note my manual that came with my badboy mower stated less oil than hydrogear stated for my model of drives. I contacted hydrogear and they stated their numbers are the ones to go by. Hydrogears volumes appeared correct. Also I did not use the hydrogear kit just filled with a long funnel at the top port until the oil came out the side port. Hope this helps someone
With no reservoir, when bleeding do you screw both of the ports, side and top ports in during the bleeding process or do you need to leave the top port out for the air to evacuate?
@@TheBeastyBeastr screw both plugs in. There is a vent on the top of my the unit. After running the purge procedure without reserviors you have to pull the side plug again and make sure the fluid is topped up to the bottom of the side port. If you send me an email address I have a pdf from hydrogear I can send you
Is the oil in this kit synthetic?
No, I don't believe so. Hydro-gear only calls for synthetic oil in their bigger pump and wheel motor setups.
@@PowerEquipmentMan if you buy the Hustler branded hydrostatic transmission oil, it is full synthetic. Not sure which one I want to go with, hydro gear oil or hustler oil.
We have always just used Hydro-gear oil. They built the hydros, they know what needs to go in them. I'm not sure who makes Hustler's oil. Change it at the recommended service intervals and you shouldn't have any problems.
What if my hydrostat won't disengage
One does, the other does not
My zt 3100 does not have air breather bolt.
I have never seen one that didn't. The air has to be able to get out somehow. Maybe it has a different fitting there instead?
Ours don't either, we have mowers with the 3400 and 3100's.
It has taken a whole week to get the oil in through the overflow reservoirs. I went to my dealer and show me the exploded view of the 3100 that is in my mower. It clearly shows the fitting and the plug. But I don't have the plug.
Been at it a few hours straight and we almost have 4 quarts through a 36" stander with 3100's😴😴😴💤💤 The 52's have the 3400, still no breather bolt but they purged much faster than the 3100's. Got 5 quarts in them in about an hour. On jackstands back and forth with the controls, unlock hydros back and forth and keep repeating.
Do you know approximately what year your mowers are?
What do you think - Should I send this part back- Hydro-Gear 71530 Kit Center --> kzhead.info/sun/bNiOl6l5qqyMgZs/bejne.html
they r not all the same
There’s a much Much easier way. Leave those air bleeder bolts alone. Instead, put a vacuum on the reservoir and watch that fluid level drop.
I have never heard of that before. I would be afraid that the vacuum would be trying to pull air/dirt into the hydro through the seals.
@@PowerEquipmentMan what lol? It only takes a small vacuum. It’s a five minute job.