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Zero Turn Machanics

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chaca5151
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11:19a, 9/16/25
I have a Cub Cadet zero-turn mower that seems to struggle going up hills. It will slow to a crawl. Yesterday, it had no issues. This morning, I adjusted the arms so they would go forward more, giving me a little more speed.

I was heading to my shed and got caught on a rock under the deck. The pto wasn't spinning, but thats when I noticed it slowed down. If I hop off for 30 seconds and get back on, it's normal until I encounter an incline.

It was passed down to me. I've never owned one.
*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

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docb
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11:43a, 9/16/25
AG
I would start off by replacing the fuel filter and the air filter. Probably needs it anyways and it just might solve your problem.
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Gunny456
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In reply to chaca5151 • 11:44a, 9/16/25
AG
If your engine itself is running properly and you don't have the correct drive power the problem is probably due to your rear wheel drives. There are two hydrostatic drives on your machine. They are part of the transaxle transmission drives that power your rear wheels. They have reservoirs for oil that must be kept at correct levels. You might check those levels first.
Those drives also have filters in them that should be changed as normal maintenance along with draining and changing the fluids in the hydrostatic drives.
If yours has never been serviced it may need that done.
There are proper procedures for changing those filters and oils in the two drives transmissions that you can watch on you tube for your model.
I would change the filters and oil in the two drives….and or check the oil levels and see if that does not fix your problems.
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chaca5151
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In reply to docb • 12:51p, 9/16/25
docb said:
I would start off by replacing the fuel filter and the air filter. Probably needs it anyways and it just might solve your problem.


Yes just replaced the fuel filter yesturday and the air filter is clean.
*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
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chaca5151
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In reply to Gunny456 • 12:54p, 9/16/25
Gunny456 said:
If your engine itself is running properly and you don't have the correct drive power the problem is probably due to your rear wheel drives. There are two hydrostatic drives on your machine. They are part of the transaxle transmission drives that power your rear wheels. They have reservoirs for oil that must be kept at correct levels. You might check those levels first.
Those drives also have filters in them that should be changed as normal maintenance along with draining and changing the fluids in the hydrostatic drives.
If yours has never been serviced it may need that done.
There are proper procedures for changing those filters and oils in the two drives transmissions that you can watch on you tube for your model.
I would change the filters and oil in the two drives….and or check the oil levels and see if that does not fix your problems.



The engine isn't running properly, and I Im waiting on a tool to remove the carburetor. I'll see how it does once I give it a good cleaning. After that, I will change the oil in the transmission like you said. I added some to the reservoir, but I haven't noticed a drop in the level yet.

They changed the fluids in the spring.
*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
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D Nauti
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5:17p, 9/16/25
I think you would hear the engine bog if it was an engine problem. I would look for a belt or idler issue. Should be 2 belts under the motor, 1 drives what ever drive the wheels, the other one has an electric clutch and drives the deck.
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ought1ag
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6:40a, 9/17/25
AG
old cracking drive belt?
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chaca5151
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In reply to D Nauti • 1:08p, 9/17/25
D Nauti said:
I think you would hear the engine bog if it was an engine problem. I would look for a belt or idler issue. Should be 2 belts under the motor, 1 drives what ever drive the wheels, the other one has an electric clutch and drives the deck.


Perhaps I need to investigate this further; the belts seem fine when I tug on them.

When I first get on it, the mower goes without any issues. The moment I hit any incline, it slows. Sometimes, it seems to grab and go a little faster, but it's short-lived.

*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
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Gunny456
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In reply to chaca5151 • 5:16p, 9/17/25
AG
The symptoms you are describing are classic hydrostatic drive issues. You said they changed the fluids in the drives? Are you sure they did that and if so did they change the filters that are in each of the drive motors? If they just changed the fluids and did not change the filters at the same time the filters could be clogged. Typically having the hydrostatic drives/hydraulic pump serviced is considered a dealer performed maintenance. However, if you are mechanically inclined it is not that hard a job. You typically half to jack the rear of the machine up and remove the rear wheels to get to the hydrostatic drives.
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ought1ag
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6:44p, 9/17/25
AG
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chaca5151
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In reply to Gunny456 • 11:01a, 9/18/25
Gunny456 said:
The symptoms you are describing are classic hydrostatic drive issues. You said they changed the fluids in the drives? Are you sure they did that and if so did they change the filters that are in each of the drive motors? If they just changed the fluids and did not change the filters at the same time the filters could be clogged. Typically having the hydrostatic drives/hydraulic pump serviced is considered a dealer performed maintenance. However, if you are mechanically inclined it is not that hard a job. You typically half to jack the rear of the machine up and remove the rear wheels to get to the hydrostatic drives.


LOL well now you have me second guessing that!
*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
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chaca5151
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In reply to ought1ag • 11:07a, 9/18/25
ought1ag said:


Great video! Thank you. I will go ahead and change this out.
*** No one loves Mexico more than people who refuse to live there ***

Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
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