Kubota Z421 zero turn mower steering levers not wanting to go back into neutral position

[troverman]

I've noticed on my Z421 mower that the control levers are sometimes reluctant to go back into the neutral "slot" position. Is there some adjustment or lubrication that can be done on these?

 

[Captain13]

Check your owners manual and look in the Motion Control Lever section. These mowers have a damper on the motion controls that is adjustable and your may be too tight and therefore is not letting it return to neutral.

 

[lugbolt]

the dampers are just dampers. They don't have any charge in them like a shock absorber on a car. They really won't affect neutral unless one of the dampers is sticking or something.

There is a detent ball/spring assembly on the lower end of each arm that can sometimes stick-causing the arms to be either stiff or not to move at all to/from neutral position. Usually a little penetrant frees them right up.

 

[Captain13]

Thanks, lugbolt. For some reason I was thinking that if the dampers were not adjusted right, they might cause a delay or even stop the arms from returning to neutral.

 

[mikester]

I've noticed on my Z421 mower that the control levers are sometimes reluctant to go back into the neutral "slot" position. Is there some adjustment or lubrication that can be done on these?

Yes. Flip the seat and look at the control linkages for looseness and freedom of movement. Clean and lubricate linkages as required.