ZD331 difficult to run a straight line

SABLT194

New member
Mar 18, 2010
2
0
0
Gardners,PA
Just purchased a used ZD331-72 and went over the whole thing. Tightened up levers with new dampers, set tire pressures, oil, grease, filters etc. This thing is a beast compared to my ZD221-54. I would say its a semi truck compared to the BMW like agility of my ZD221. Anyway I have having difficulty managing the 331 to mow in a nice straight line. It seems like any correction becomes an over correction and the whole correction process starts anew. The result being nothing close to a straight line. So lately I've been pushing both sticks forward to get desired speed, then only correcting by using the right lever only, thus halving the corrective input. This has most certainly helped but not solved my squiggly lines.

Any body have any other tips to try.

BTW, After minimal practice I can cut straight as an arrow with my lil ZD221-54. I just love that machine!

Regards,
Steve
 

D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
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40 miles south of Kansas City
I can't give you a specific answer, but a Workshop Manual for your machine should detais onl how to adjust it.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

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M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
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Adjust the actuator linkage to the pumps. Should have a threaded coupler. Had that issue on my twin Hydro Gear IZT pumps and adjusted it out. Took about 5 minutes.
 

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
4,807
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Mid, South, USA
ANY play in the linkage will cause exactly what you're describing. Also adjusting the tire pressures to a little lower than specified seems to help.
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,184
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NH
I don't have a Kubota zero turn, but my Husqvarna commercial has a "tracking adjustment" knob under one of the levers. Maybe the Kubota has something similar? Tire pressures are key in making these things go straight. If the front wheels are pneumatic, make sure they have similar inflation and both are well greased and spin freely.