WARNING
HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS
CAN PENETRATE SKIN CAUSING SERIOUS
INJURY AND GANGRENE.
INJECTED FLUID MUST BE SURGICALLY
REMOVED WITHIN A FEW HOURS BY A DOC-
TOR FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF INJURY.
TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY FROM
PRESSURE LEAKS:
l
USE CARDBOARD AND NOT HANDS TO
SEARCH FOR LEAKS.
l
RELIEVE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE BEFORE
WORKING ON SYSTEM.
l
CHECK HYDRAULIC HOSES, LINES, AND
CONNECTIONS FOR TIGHTNESS AND
GOOD CONDITION BEFORE APPLYING
SYSTEM PRESSURE.
START-UP MAINTENANCE
HYDROSTATIC FLUID
Bush Hog recommends the use of 20W50 motor oil
in the hydrostatic transaxle.
START-UP PROCEDURE
The following start-up procedure should always be
followed when starting a new installation or when
restarting an installation in which the transaxle has
been removed from the system or when oil has been
changed in the transaxle.
Prior to starting the transaxle, make certain all sys-
tem components are clean prior to filling with fluid.
Remove the oil fill port fitting.
Fill the transaxle at the oil fill port according to the
diagram at right.
Install the oil fill port fitting.
Fill the reservoir with recommended fluid which
should be filtered prior to entering the reservoir.
Start the engine and idle at the lowest possible RPM.
WARNING
TO AVOID INJURY FROM EQUIPMENT GROUND
TRAVEL AND MOVEMENT DURING
START-UP PROCEDURE:
DO NOT START OR JOG ENGINE UNTIL:
l
PUMP IS IN NEUTRAL POSITION
l
DRIVE WHEELS ARE RAISED OFF THE
GROUND.
l
EQUIPMENT IS SECURELY BLOCKED-UP TO
KEEP WHEELS FROM GROUND CONTACT.
l
PTO AND OTHER WORK FUNCTIONS ARE
DISCONNECTED.
l
KEEP HANDS, HAIR AND CLOTHING AWAY
FROM ROTATING BLADES.
With the bypass valve closed, slowly move the dis-
placement control in both the forward and reverse
directions. As air is purged from the unit, the oil level
will drop and bubbles may appear in the fluid. Refill
the transaxle as necessary.
Place the steering levers in the neutral position and
open the bypass valve. Slowly move the steering
levers in both the forward and reverse directions to
purge the air from the closed circuit.
Close the bypass valve and run the unit in both direc-
tions for several minutes until any remaining air is
purged from the unit. Refill the transaxle as necessary.
Stop the engine, check for and correct any fluid leaks,
and check the oil level. Add fluid if necessary. The
transmission is now ready for operation.
HYDROSTATIC MAINTENANCE
Check the fluid level in the transaxle every 50 hours.
The hydrostatic transaxle units normally do not
require regular fluid changes. The system filter should
be changed every 250 hours. The fluid and filter
should be changed and the system cleaned if the fluid
becomes contaminated with foreign matter (water,
dirt, etc.) .Refer to illustration below.
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
(Refer to next page for illustration and instructions for Parking
Brake Cable Replacement / Installation)
Check to make sure brake is adjusted properly.
Force on the brake handle to lock the brake in place
should be 15 pounds. To adjust the brake tension,
shorten or lengthen the brake cable linkage.
19
Oil Level
Top Of Fill Port
0.75” - 1.50 “ (19 - 38 mm)
depth at 50˚-100˚F
(10˚- 38˚C)
Fluid Volume for the Home Series ZT
Fluid Description
Volume
20w50 Engine Oil
52.4 fl. oz. (1550 ml) to 55.8 fl. oz. (1650 ml)
