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Boy I hope this post is not like asking about oil in the motorcycle forum I'm in but here goes. Recently lost all power on my zero turn so I will do a full inspection this weekend but after looking at prices for Exmark hydro oil I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. The filters are reasonably priced but the hydraulic oil is pricey.

Mobil 1 15W50
Any 20W50
Then there’s the pricey Exmark oil.

If new, I'd recommend doing the hydro oil service @ 50 hours, not 100 hours.

interesting that if using Mobil 1 (15w-50 ) do next change @ 250 hours, & if using OE, 500 hours..

7394 said:

If new, I'd recommend doing the hydro oil service @ 50 hours, not 100 hours.

interesting that if using Mobil 1 (15w-50 ) do next change @ 250 hours, & if using OE, 500 hours..

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Every mower manufacturer has different recommendations. It’s best to refer to Hydro-Gear or Parker for their recommendations.

Why did you loose all hydraulic power on your mower? Belt maybe? Fluid won't normally cause you to loose your hydros all of a sudden especially in two hydros at the same time sound a awful lot like a belt to me.

MParr said:

Mobil 1 15W50
Any 20W50
Then there’s the pricey Exmark oil.

Change Hydraulic System Filter And Fluid - Exmark PIONEER E-SERIES Operator's Manual [Page 33]

Exmark PIONEER E-SERIES Manual Online: Change Hydraulic System Filter And Fluid. Service Interval: After the first 100 hours Every 500 hours thereafter (Every 250 hours if using Mobil 1 15W50) 1. Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and allow engine to cool. Remove key and...

www.manualslib.com

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Thanks for the link and recommendation. So you are saying I can replace the hydraulic oil with Mobil 1 15W50?

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hlw49 said:

Why did you loose all hydraulic power on your mower? Belt maybe? Fluid won't normally cause you to loose your hydros all of a sudden especially in two hydros at the same time sound a awful lot like a belt to me.

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I will take a closer look this weekend. I do not have 100 hours on the mower but lost all power. I pressure washed it and pushed it into the shop so I can lift it up and take a look. The reservoir was empty. It's always had about 1/2" or clear hydraulic fluid in it. I bought a quart of Exmark hydro oil and it was blue and expensive. Now I'm sure there is air in the system so I guess I need to drain the system and replace the hydraulic fluid and the two filters?

rollingstone said:

Thanks for the link and recommendation. So you are saying I can replace the hydraulic oil with Mobil 1 15W50?

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Yes. You can use Super Tech 20W50, if you like..
Fluids
The fluids used in Hydro-Gear products have been carefully selected, and only equivalent, or better products should be substituted.
Typically, an engine oil with a minimum rating of 9.0 cSt (55 SUS) at 230° F (110° C) and an API clas- sification of SL is recommended. A 20W50 engine oil has been selected for use by the factory and is recommended for normal operating procedures.

You definitely need to check the belt.
If you have an operators manual, you need to read over it carefully and highlight important service intervals.
If you don’t have one, you can download one from Exmark. You will need the model and serial numbers.
I’m not sure how your particular mower is set up.
The inspection port is located on the inside center of each hydro. It should be about 2” from the top of the casing. Some manufacturers use these ports to connect to the expansion tanks.
There is also a plug on top of the casing. Some manufacturers use this port as a vent. If you have expansion tanks, open these top plugs to allow you to fill it faster. If you don’t have expansion tanks, open the inspection ports and fill through the top plugs. The fluid will begin to run out of the inspection ports when full. The procedure is listed in the service manual that I linked to.

The reservoir was empty and it usually has fluid? Is there a leak somewhere? Is there a indicator line in your reservoir like the Lazer has? Im not familiar w the pioneer but 1/2 inch sounds pretty empty to me.

MParr said:

Every mower manufacturer has different recommendations. It’s best to refer to Hydro-Gear or Parker for their recommendations.

Click to expand...

My Scag Tech suggest doing the Hydro service @ 50 hours, just to get off to a good start, & That's what I'll be doing on mine.

7394 said:

My Scag Tech suggest doing the Hydro service @ 50 hours, just to get off to a good start, & That's what I'll be doing on mine.

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Gravely recommends 75 hours for the initial change. That’s just what I did. I used the Stens branded filters. They were the cheapest on Amazon. I used Mobil 1 15W50.

shoughtonh said:

The reservoir was empty and it usually has fluid? Is there a leak somewhere? Is there a indicator line in your reservoir like the Laser has? Im not familiar w the pioneer but 1/2 inch sounds pretty empty to me.

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Just because the hydro tank is empty does not mean the hydro itself is low. The tank is just an expansion tank and also gives a place to add fluid. The fluid level in the tank itself is only about 1/2 inch in the tank. Remember oil when it gets hot expands. If it does not have an expansion tank the level in the hydro is about 1 & 1/2 inch from the top to allow for expansion.

MParr said:

Yes. You can use Super Tech 20W50, if you like..
Fluids
The fluids used in Hydro-Gear products have been carefully selected, and only equivalent, or better products should be substituted.
Typically, an engine oil with a minimum rating of 9.0 cSt (55 SUS) at 230° F (110° C) and an API clas- sification of SL is recommended. A 20W50 engine oil has been selected for use by the factory and is recommended for normal operating procedures.

https://www.hydro-gear.com/aad36e81fa_sites/hydro-gear.com/files/BLN-52441_P23.pdf

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Bad link to that pdf file.

hlw49 said:

Just because the hydro tank is empty does not mean the hydro itself is low. The tank is just an expansion tank and also gives a place to add fluid. The fluid level in the tank itself is only about 1/2 inch in the tank. Remember oil when it gets hot expands. If it does not have an expansion tank the level in the hydro is about 1 & 1/2 inch from the top to allow for expansion.

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The reservoir on my lazer must be bigger. Mine doesnt behave that way, and there is never no fluid in it and the level is much higher than 1/2-1 inch. Does your have a fill up line when cold indicator?

slomo said:

Bad link to that pdf file.

https://www.hydro-gear.com/aad36e81fa_sites/hydro-gear.com/files/BLN-52441_P23.pdf[

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Let’s try this. Those interested will have to scroll down and pick from the list.

shoughtonh said:

The reservoir was empty and it usually has fluid? Is there a leak somewhere? Is there a indicator line in your reservoir like the Lazer has? Im not familiar w the pioneer but 1/2 inch sounds pretty empty to me.

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When I bought it and in the owners manual it shows 1/4" to 1/2" cold level. The manual does not mention measurements but shows a finger so that is my translation to inches.

shoughtonh said:

The reservoir on my lazer must be bigger. Mine doesnt behave that way, and there is never no fluid in it and the level is much higher than 1/2-1 inch. Does your have a fill up line when cold indicator?

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Yes it has a cold indicator I think but the owners manual shows cold level at one finger full from the bottom

My mower is PNE691GKA52200 sorry should have mentioned. Thanks for the replies to all. This weekend I will hoist it up, put some stands under it and take a closer look. Just don't want to pay for Exmark hydro oil if I need to. Looking for cheaper option. The Exmark dealer said there should always be some fluid in the reservoir.

Find the leak!

slomo said:

Bad link to that pdf file.

https://www.hydro-gear.com/aad36e81fa_sites/hydro-gear.com/files/BLN-52441_P23.pdf[

Click to expand...

Try this................

MParr said:

Gravely recommends 75 hours for the initial change. That’s just what I did. I used the Stens branded filters. They were the cheapest on Amazon. I used Mobil 1 15W50.

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My Scag has a 5 year warranty, so I will use the OE filters etc...

While under warranty ALWAYS use the manufacturers recommended oils. There is not that significant savings to use a cheaper oil and if you do have to go in to a service center for warranty work they will have (1) less out for helping you with getting a repair covered under that warranty. After warranty, use the same oil. It's still cheap compared to a new Hydro or a Hydro repair. Most ZT's are above $3,500........isn't it worth $35.00 for oil for maintenance? Your peace of mind is not a bad thing either.