scag hydraulic pump leaking free sample

Combustion engines, like those found in most cars, transfer power to the vehicle’s axle, which turns the wheels. Hydrostatic transmissions found in most modern tractors and zero-turn mowers, work by transferring power from the engine to hydraulic pumps which use liquid pressure to move the wheels. There’s no need for gears, and changing speed is smooth and efficient.

Zero turn hydrostatic transmission problems can start with air in the system, a condition known as cavitation. When the pump is full of air instead of oil, it can’t generate the pressure needed to provide power. This is pretty common in zero-turn mower transmissions. After your mower has been stored for the winter, it’s a good idea to purge the transmission before use. It’s also a good first step if your motor is sluggish or slow.

If your system is purged and you still have a problem, it’s time to do a little basic troubleshooting. Start with a complete visual check of the hydraulic system.

Sluggish operation is often due to old or overused fluids. If there are no signs of fluid leaks or damage, it may be time to change your hydraulic and steering fluids.

If you need help troubleshooting your tractor’s hydraulic system, call your dealer. Their service department should be able to ask the right questions, give suggestions, and you can make an appointment for service if necessary.

The main enemy of any hydraulic system is heat. By properly sizing the hydraulic oil reservoir, efficient hose routing, and the use of oil coolers and fans where needed, Scag drive systems have been designed to have normal operating temperatures well within the safe range of the hydraulic components using “standard” oil. Using larger oil tanks, oil coolers and fans (where needed) does add additional cost to the manufacturing process, however, we feel that this extra attention to performance, longevity and value is one of the many reasons people decide to “step up” to a Scag mower.

The “requirement” to use synthetic oil in a mower is generally the result of producing a machine with a hydro system that has an operating temperature that can exceed the temperature range of the hydraulic components. These systems usually have very small oil reservoirs located in an area without sufficient airflow (due to limited space on the mower) and do not use oil coolers or fans. This is a less expensive way to manufacture mowers, however, the extra cost of the synthetic oil (synthetic oil is normally four to five times the cost of standard oil) is a burden that you, the customer, will have to pay.

Occasionally customers inquire about switching the hydro oil in their new Scag to synthetic. While there is nothing in the drive system that could be damaged from its use, as outlined above, it is certainly not necessary. We do suggest that they wait until after the initial break-in period before making the switch, if desired.

A common failure for zero turn mower is the hydraulic pump. If the hydraulic system fails, the mower won’t get enough power to move. Finding out the source of the problem is a challenge in terms of these failures.

That’s why it’s important to know the steps of zero turn hydraulic pump troubleshooting. You need to purge the hydraulic drive system and check other parts and symptoms.

The most common problem with a Hydraulic pump is the mixture of water and air. Very often, the pump becomes full of air instead of oil, and as a result, it cannot generate enough pressure needed to provide power.

The temperature problem can be explained twofold. If the zero turn mower runs too cold or too hot, it can engender serious problems over time, such as preventing lubrication by making the mower out of hydraulic fluid.

It can also result in the oxidization of fluids. All these restrict the flow of oil to the pump. Another thing is the temperature of hydraulic fluid. If it’s too high, it can easily get contaminated, making the oil stale and defective.

The oil level is very important for the hydraulic pump to work with full efficiency. Low oil levels can create various problems in your mower. So you should always keep the mower filled with pure, clean recommended oil.

Push motion control levers to the full forward and hold them for five seconds. Now do the reverse. Repeat this 3-5 times. It will help purge the air from the hydraulic transmission system.

Carefully examine the internal parts of the pump to see if they are installed properly and functioning accordingly. Install them in the recommended way and replace the defective parts.

The hydraulic oil or fluid is the most crucial part of the pump. Check if the oil level is right. Also, make sure the oil is clean and has the recommended viscosity. Keep in mind that all oil is not appropriate for zero turn mower. Change old and sluggish fluids.

Check the lines and connections for possible leaks. Reconnect them if there is no leak and repair the leaks otherwise. Leaking can dry the oil reservoir up. So, make sure there are not any. If it still doesn’t work, you should replace the hydro components.

Once your hydraulic pump fails, its lifespan can become less even if you can fix the problem. That’s why it’s better to maintain the hydraulic system regularly. It will help a lot in terms of the longevity of the pump.