Difficulty turning my Z121 Kommander left/right in reverse

[Quadna71]

My Z121 Kommander is a little over 4 years old and has around 100 hours on it. But it is still acting up when turning in reverse. So if I am going forward and then ease back on the levers to come to stop and then pull back on either the right or left lever...it just sits and doesn't do anything for about 3 seconds and then will slowly kick in and start turning the appropriate reverse direction. Nothing in the owner manual seems to cover it so I figured I might as well look at the hydraulic system. Does this sound like a flush (filter/fluid change) would be helpful? Or is there an adjustment somewhere that I can make? It seems to be more prevalent after running the mower for about 10 minutes and then it keeps acting up until I put it away. Thanks for any advice you might have for me.

I'd like to add that I called my dealer where I purchased it and they said they are backlogged about 3 or 4 weeks to take a look at it so I'd like to do a little troubleshooting myself. Thanks again.

 

[lugbolt]

check the fluid level when cold-the tank has a cold fill line on it. It takes 20w50 engine oil if you have to add any. The tank is located at the left rear of the machine kinda next to the engine (LEFT, meaning as you are sitting on it facing forwards).

Is there any sign of leakage at/near either of the transmissions? If so, you'll want to address that-and if your fluid level is low, you just found out why.

normally if the fluid level is low it'll exhibit those same symptoms forward and reverse, along with a growling/whining noise as it begins to start moving.

Also could be as simple as loose linkages. Mine were loose but it was one of the originals that didn't use lock nuts on the ball ends. All of the Z121's and later do use lock nuts, so as long as they were tightened they shouldn't back off.

Last thought. Look at your HST freewheel rods. They stick out behind the engine. They are there so that if for some reason the engine doesn't run you can manually push the machine. If one or both (usually left side) is pulled partially out, they'll act weird as well.

 

[Quadna71]

Thanks for the tips, @lugbolt. I'll hit on them as best as I can.

Fluid level - I check the level whenever I add gas as you're basically staring across to the reservoir when holding the gas can up. It's always been the exact same level (full) when cold since the day I bought it. The fluid these days seems to be a little darker, meaning I can see the level more easily, but since I have less than 100 hours on the machine I figured that must be normal. At most there is occasionally a little dust around the fill cap that collects so it must breathe in/out a little and allow the dust to stick. I wipe it down but am careful to not open and get debris inside.

Transmission leakage - zero signs there. I've had it up on ramps and jacks stands at least 2-3 times a season when doing a thorough cleaning of the deck and sharpening the blades at the start of each season.

Whining/growling noise - the hydraulics seem to be very quiet. I do hear a slight whining on the off occasion when I bumped it forward without having the RPM up high enough but from what I read that is normal.

Loose linkage - I will start digging around and looking. I guess the best course would be to chase the route from the arms all the way to where linkage hits the transmissions? I've assumed all is well there since it moves forward very straight when fully engaged and also reverse straight when engaged that way. In my mind it seems like if there was something loose then it wouldn't track correctly. (it is only when moving one arm back...and normally the right side more prevalently, that it has this weird delay)

The HST freewheel rods - complete disclosure...they hadn't even crossed my mind. I've never had to transport it aside from initial trip home. And even then the dealer didn't disengage them once they parked it on the trailer. I've also never had the need to even push it back or forth since owning it so never touch them. I will definitely take a look at both of them. After confirming they are engaged I may even disengage them and then reengage just to make sure they are seated fully.

Thanks again for the ideas. At least I have a few things to look for now. I'm still considering changing the fluid and filters but can't find the service manual online anywhere unless I pay for it. Too bad it isn't in the owners manual but I guess they consider that a dealer action? Might have to cave in the end and just buy the service manual!

 

[Quadna71]

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? I haven't made an appointment for them to look at it and have instead just sort of "dealing" with it and being patient when reversing direction.