I followed the instructions in this video to change out the hydraulic oil and filters on my z122e. Took 5 quarts to refill. The bleeding process is really important when finishing up. Probably worth it’s own brief standalone video. This was far easier than replacing the drive belt!
Thank you! Great video. I was waiting for the amount of oil (hadn't yet looked at the manual). FYI, for putting it in neutral. I had the same issue when I just needed to move it around. Put a bungee cord on the one side that doesn't lock. Works perfectly!
Yeah I’m not sure what the exact amount was I just kept putting the oil in until it got to the fill line on the reservoir, in the manual it reads like you pull it and it will stay in place kinda hard to push it around and pull the freewheel lever at the same time, I may try the bungee next time lol.
Your 421 vids convinced me to go ahead and buy one from my local dealer. I looked at a lot of ZTs and tried to justify buying something that wasn't local (I live in a REALLY small town, but we have a Kubota dealer that's been here for decades). The 421 is pretty much a hotrod with the FS730 and ZT3600's. I added the IS3 factory suspension seat and bought a Donaldson air filter kit for it, so I'm real excited to take delivery tomorrow. Your vid style is really good and I enjoy watching; keep it up.
Thanks for the refresher course. This is my second time changing this oil in four years of ownership. Surprisingly my filter covers were never tapped for three bolts and only have two each. As far as the oil, I’m using Schaeffer’s Supreme Synthetic 7000 20W50. I don’t mind spending a few extra dollars for piece of mind.
Thanks pal! Here is Sydney we must get the recommended filters I order to keep initial warranty valid. Each filter is $70 so $140 combined just on these two small filters. Kinda robbery I think! Z422 by the way. 👍
Great video and very informative. My kubota dealer is currently around 6 week turn around, so I decided to just do it myself and couldn’t of been easier! Thanks!
@@WilliamsonRidge I did have a question, after filing it to “cold” line and mowing with it one time the oil has completely drained into the hydro hose system and no longer visible in reservoir box on side. Does more just need to be added?
Yeah it just needs topped off, just make sure again to only fill to cold line to leave room for expansion. Where you ran the mower and got the fluid warm, a lot of times it will soak into the paper elements in the filters therefor pulling the fluid level down a bit. Or there could have still been a bit of air in the lines letting it go on down when you ran it for a while when mowing, it should be fine to just top it off, but just remember if it feels sluggish in the controls afterward to just purge/bleed the system again
I have a question, I change my hydrostatic oil and filters. This is you suggested everything worked perfectly. When I finished. I was able to start everything up. Everything worked similar to before I started. This brings up my question my right side lever is a little stronger than my left side lever or driving. Is there an adjustment for that?.
Do you mean the lever itself is stiffer or the hydraulics are stronger on the one side, if the hydraulics are stronger you may need to bleed the system again if it’s the feel of the lever, they do have a shock on them but I’m. Not sure if it’s adjustable, I know the position of the levers are adjustable but not sure if the dampening of the shock is
How much oil did the system take once you were done? (I watched but did not catch it if you stated that.) Our Z422 has a LOT of hydro-whine and Im going to put full synthetic in to see if it will quiet it down any but dont want to buy a full 5 gallons if I dont need to. Thanks for any info you can share.
I have the ZG123S and the only difference I can see is that the vent plugs on mine are flush type hex key bolts and are not as obvious as yours. I've been putting this off since a couple friends said you can really screw up your hydro if you don't bleed it correctly (not sure I believe that). Excellent video. Made this a much less intimidating procedure. Thank you for posting.
According to the manual it just says the hydraulics may feel unresponsive and sluggish if it’s not bled good, it also says if it feels that way to just repeat the procedure. It really isn’t hard at all, thanks for watching!
I've rebuilt 2 different hydrostatic Trans and ur not gonna mess anything up it just won't run right just add some more oil and it usually fixes itself
Excellent video. I followed your guide and referred to the video several times during the process. I've had a harder time completing the bleeding process though. I have about 4.75 quarts in the mower and the fluid is settling about 1 inch above the cold fill line. Any recommendations as to whether I should just proceed and use the mower and add fluid as necessary if it continues to settle or should I drain the system and start over? I've spent over five hours running the mower with the wheels engaged and disengaged usually 3-4 minutes on each, but I'm seeing few bubbles rising in the tank now. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.
I would run it and if it gets low add some then, there could be variations in the amount of hydro oil it holds based on how well it got drained how the filters were installed even possibly what year the mower was made, so I would fill it and run it according to what your mower reads on the cold fill tank
Sorry I don’t have that mower to make a video of, you should be able to call your local dealer for the correct hydro fluid/oil. Changing the oil should be similar to the 421
I have a 421 that does not move at all. I have had it since 2018 love it 54 inch cut professionally built. But dosent move forward or backwards ..... any help would be appreciated.
A belt drives the hydraulic motors, I believe a transaxle is the fact the hydraulic motors drive your wheels directly, but a belt still runs from the motor to the hydro axles
@@WilliamsonRidge I just got my mower last week and it goes in left hand circles if you let it dealer should have made sure it was right before it left the dealership thanks for your reply...
I’ve not watched several of this guy’s videos and I’ve seen enough. He tells us what we are going to do and the next thing you know the mower is jacked up, the wheel is off, and he’s holding one of the filter covers in his hand. Dude, you just skipped several important steps.
It's assumed that a reasonable amount of related mechanical experience is possessed by the individual attempting this procedure. Thus, making inclusion of such important but, mundane steps redundant and time consuming as it relates to video. I'm joyed with this how to on a task that's sort of taboo for the DIY owner.
Yes pull the vent plugs on both sides, it best to have the mower sitting on as level ground as possible, and it should run out both holes at pretty close to the same time, the reason you pull both plugs is because the fluid has to be able to move easily and evenly between both sides since you fill it from one side, having both plugs out lets it equalize
![Kubota Z-421 Oil Change Using No Tools! [Super Easy Maintenance]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hQoLNcVWgN8/mqdefault.jpg)
I followed the instructions in this video to change out the hydraulic oil and filters on my z122e. Took 5 quarts to refill. The bleeding process is really important when finishing up. Probably worth it’s own brief standalone video. This was far easier than replacing the drive belt!
Just getting ready to change my trans axle old , your video is a big help thanks .
Glad it could help
Thank you! Great video. I was waiting for the amount of oil (hadn't yet looked at the manual). FYI, for putting it in neutral. I had the same issue when I just needed to move it around. Put a bungee cord on the one side that doesn't lock. Works perfectly!
Yeah I’m not sure what the exact amount was I just kept putting the oil in until it got to the fill line on the reservoir, in the manual it reads like you pull it and it will stay in place kinda hard to push it around and pull the freewheel lever at the same time, I may try the bungee next time lol.
@@WilliamsonRidge TY
Your 421 vids convinced me to go ahead and buy one from my local dealer. I looked at a lot of ZTs and tried to justify buying something that wasn't local (I live in a REALLY small town, but we have a Kubota dealer that's been here for decades). The 421 is pretty much a hotrod with the FS730 and ZT3600's. I added the IS3 factory suspension seat and bought a Donaldson air filter kit for it, so I'm real excited to take delivery tomorrow. Your vid style is really good and I enjoy watching; keep it up.
Thanks so much! I think you’ll really like it, great decision on going with the suspension seat it’s like daylight and dark difference in the ride
Thanks for the refresher course. This is my second time changing this oil in four years of ownership. Surprisingly my filter covers were never tapped for three bolts and only have two each. As far as the oil, I’m using Schaeffer’s Supreme Synthetic 7000 20W50. I don’t mind spending a few extra dollars for piece of mind.
Thanks pal! Here is Sydney we must get the recommended filters I order to keep initial warranty valid. Each filter is $70 so $140 combined just on these two small filters. Kinda robbery I think!
Z422 by the way.
👍
I run Mobil 1 15w-50 in my hydros. 5 quart jugs at walmart are about $26.
Great video and very informative. My kubota dealer is currently around 6 week turn around, so I decided to just do it myself and couldn’t of been easier! Thanks!
Glad it helped out, thanks for watching.
@@WilliamsonRidge I did have a question, after filing it to “cold” line and mowing with it one time the oil has completely drained into the hydro hose system and no longer visible in reservoir box on side. Does more just need to be added?
Yeah it just needs topped off, just make sure again to only fill to cold line to leave room for expansion. Where you ran the mower and got the fluid warm, a lot of times it will soak into the paper elements in the filters therefor pulling the fluid level down a bit. Or there could have still been a bit of air in the lines letting it go on down when you ran it for a while when mowing, it should be fine to just top it off, but just remember if it feels sluggish in the controls afterward to just purge/bleed the system again
@@WilliamsonRidge thanks! If I have to drain, I can re-use the new filters I just put on, correct?
Correct
Thanks for the tips. 95% of your video also translated to the Kubota Z121s so it helped me tremendously.
Fixin to change mine and this video helped alot. Thank you.
I have a question, I change my hydrostatic oil and filters. This is you suggested everything worked perfectly. When I finished. I was able to start everything up. Everything worked similar to before I started. This brings up my question my right side lever is a little stronger than my left side lever or driving. Is there an adjustment for that?.
Do you mean the lever itself is stiffer or the hydraulics are stronger on the one side, if the hydraulics are stronger you may need to bleed the system again if it’s the feel of the lever, they do have a shock on them but I’m. Not sure if it’s adjustable, I know the position of the levers are adjustable but not sure if the dampening of the shock is
So you fill both sides from that reservoir .You done at a time or both?Thank you
Both sides are filled from the reservoir
So did you take both back wheels off and jack up stabilize machine first or was that for yr video only
It’s not necessary to remove the rear wheels it does make it easier to get to but I mainly did it to have better access to video
How much oil did the system take once you were done? (I watched but did not catch it if you stated that.) Our Z422 has a LOT of hydro-whine and Im going to put full synthetic in to see if it will quiet it down any but dont want to buy a full 5 gallons if I dont need to. Thanks for any info you can share.
Mine only held 4- 4.5 quarts could vary a little yours being a 422 but it should be very similar
Thanks this was what I needed I also questioned about oil then I forgot till I saw your vid
Now I’m ready to change mine thanks
I have the ZG123S and the only difference I can see is that the vent plugs on mine are flush type hex key bolts and are not as obvious as yours. I've been putting this off since a couple friends said you can really screw up your hydro if you don't bleed it correctly (not sure I believe that). Excellent video. Made this a much less intimidating procedure. Thank you for posting.
According to the manual it just says the hydraulics may feel unresponsive and sluggish if it’s not bled good, it also says if it feels that way to just repeat the procedure. It really isn’t hard at all, thanks for watching!
I've rebuilt 2 different hydrostatic Trans and ur not gonna mess anything up it just won't run right just add some more oil and it usually fixes itself
@@deepnurmom1737 Thanks for the feedback. Yeah I went ahead and did it. Wasn't bad at all. Sounds and operates way better.
Excellent video. I followed your guide and referred to the video several times during the process. I've had a harder time completing the bleeding process though. I have about 4.75 quarts in the mower and the fluid is settling about 1 inch above the cold fill line. Any recommendations as to whether I should just proceed and use the mower and add fluid as necessary if it continues to settle or should I drain the system and start over? I've spent over five hours running the mower with the wheels engaged and disengaged usually 3-4 minutes on each, but I'm seeing few bubbles rising in the tank now. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.
I would run it and if it gets low add some then, there could be variations in the amount of hydro oil it holds based on how well it got drained how the filters were installed even possibly what year the mower was made, so I would fill it and run it according to what your mower reads on the cold fill tank
How many hours do they suggest changing the hydraulic fluid? Since it is just motor oil, you can recycle at an auto parts store?
100Hr / 400hr and every 400 hr after for the transaxle oil and filters. Yes to recycle as waste oil.
Yeah I believe first time 100hrs then every 400hrs after, yeah for sure you can just take to auto parts store to dispose.
Great vid. What is the wood burner house w/ chimney out by the firewood shed? Looks like a very cool setup.
That is an outdoor wood boiler l, it is how I heat my house and hot water.
@@WilliamsonRidge now that could come in handy. Pretty cool.
Dear mr. David. What i need is how to do it in a kubota z122r. and what type of fluid thank you ahead of time
Sorry I don’t have that mower to make a video of, you should be able to call your local dealer for the correct hydro fluid/oil. Changing the oil should be similar to the 421
Thank you my 421 it's 33.7.HRS It's not in the cold line I changed my oil at 7.4hrs. I'm don't to mess it up. Please and help?
I have a 421 that does not move at all. I have had it since 2018 love it 54 inch cut professionally built. But dosent move forward or backwards ..... any help would be appreciated.
Sounds like your drive belt is broken or came off
@@WilliamsonRidge I thought I had a transaxle not a belt???
A belt drives the hydraulic motors, I believe a transaxle is the fact the hydraulic motors drive your wheels directly, but a belt still runs from the motor to the hydro axles
@@joekey246 😂
Great video, I am looking at buying one of these mowers. Much easier than Exmark.
Thanks!
Do you fill both sides from the same tank?
Yup sure do
How do you disengage the hydraulic drive?
Here’s the part where I show it ua-cam.com/users/clipUgkxVr_RzrnQrufvbEVkx7jE8VBz-vnq_3UV
I was wondering what the total amount of oil needed?
I can’t remember exactly but I believe it was 4 to 4 1/2 quarts
You have any problems with your mower wanting to creep forward in neutral
I had someone else ask me that a while back. I haven’t had any problems with mine doing that.
@@WilliamsonRidge I just got my mower last week and it goes in left hand circles if you let it dealer should have made sure it was right before it left the dealership thanks for your reply...
Yeah they should have had that worked out, I’m sure it’s just an adjustment in the linkage or something
Thanks for the reply
Sorry it took so long
So z411 would be the same way to change hydro oil
I would think it being in the same series of mower it should be very similar, but could still be some differences.
@@WilliamsonRidge ok will give it a crack, as machine has done 415hrs
Very good.
Thanks !
Thanks, that will save some $$$...
Great video though
It did not hold because you did not not have.the mower level and it all did not drain out
I’ve not watched several of this guy’s videos and I’ve seen enough. He tells us what we are going to do and the next thing you know the mower is jacked up, the wheel is off, and he’s holding one of the filter covers in his hand. Dude, you just skipped several important steps.
“Now watched”
Thanks for your feedback
It's assumed that a reasonable amount of related mechanical experience is possessed by the individual attempting this procedure. Thus, making inclusion of such important but, mundane steps redundant and time consuming as it relates to video. I'm joyed with this how to on a task that's sort of taboo for the DIY owner.
Thanks!
Do you vent both at the same time when adding oil
Yes pull the vent plugs on both sides, it best to have the mower sitting on as level ground as possible, and it should run out both holes at pretty close to the same time, the reason you pull both plugs is because the fluid has to be able to move easily and evenly between both sides since you fill it from one side, having both plugs out lets it equalize