New mower hydro gear zt 3100 question

[paladin]

Just bought a gravely hd 52 last week, thanks to all the great info I found on this site in making my choice. When I had in the garage I jacked up the rear to look over the belts, clutch and what not just getting to know the mower. One thing I noticed that each axle has in and out play when you push or pull on each rear tire (in and out). Now this mower only had about 1.5 hrs on it when I checked it and both sides are exactly the same amount they move (1/16" + - ) the mower seems to work great for the little bit I have used it . I am assuming that this is normal because both sides act the same way, but thought I would check and see if any one else has noticed this on there transaxles or if they would check there's. This mower has the Hydro gear zt 3100 axles but I would think zt 2800 would act the same way. I was also wondering why they would put this play in the axles if it was for heat exspantion or for give in the zero turning operation. Thanks in advance

 

[RatRacer]

Just bought a gravely hd 52 last week, thanks to all the great info I found on this site in making my choice. When I had in the garage I jacked up the rear to look over the belts, clutch and what not just getting to know the mower. One thing I noticed that each axle has in and out play when you push or pull on each rear tire (in and out). Now this mower only had about 1.5 hrs on it when I checked it and both sides are exactly the same amount they move (1/16" + - ) the mower seems to work great for the little bit I have used it . I am assuming that this is normal because both sides act the same way, but thought I would check and see if any one else has noticed this on there transaxles or if they would check there's. This mower has the Hydro gear zt 3100 axles but I would think zt 2800 would act the same way. I was also wondering why they would put this play in the axles if it was for heat exspantion or for give in the zero turning operation. Thanks in advance

It's referred to as a floating axle. It has nothing pressed onto it bearing wise. It's engagement is solely thru spline/gear teeth and is retained in the housing by a single external snap ring on the in-board side.

You wouldn't have gotten this with your mower, but it's handy to have a copy for review:
www.hydro-gear.com/Main/docs/service-repair.../zt-2800-3100-3400.pdf

 

[paladin]

Thank you for the info just wanted to make sure that tha play was normal. I did a lot of searching about this topic and the hydro gear trans axles in general to see if anyone else noticed it in there axles, and it never was discussed so I thought I would ask. If any one else has info on there trans axles and how they are holding up (hours logged)or problems or things to look for all info welcome please post it . When I was looking for info on what mower to buy I never came across a lot of problems with hydro gear trans axles, but a lot of people recommend going up to the zt2800 or zt3100. Thanks again