Thanks for all the input guys. I just got word that the dealer has a new transaxle arriving from Kubota this Monday, and the dealer will install and deliver the mower back to me. I asked what the part # is, he said K3811-10032. Interesting. The original P/N was K3811-10030 and both times the transaxle was replaced previously was with K3811-10030. As I mentioned above, Messicks showed that K3811-10030 was replaced with K3811-10032. But Kubota still showed K3811-10030 on their parts drawing.
After Lugbolt said that Z7XX uses Parker transmissions, I got to thinking, and here's my theory:
Parker realized there was an issue with K3811-10030 and fixed the issue resulting in K3811-10032 being the replacement. This was made available by Parker, but Kubota either had an existing stock of K3811-10030 they had to burn through, or had to go through their own red tape to implement K3811-10032 so there was a delay in sending the updated P/N to dealers. Maybe Kubota had hopes that the issue wasn't 100% of the units and that by continuing to replace problem mowers with K3811-10030 that a good unit would show up. Guess what - now the Kubota drawing shows K3811-10032:
View attachment 129689
So at least now I have hope that the issue will be fixed, I will see probably in about a month after several mows if the mower is still running well. If not, well then I've got a lot of great advice from you guys, so thanks! I'll start with checking tire slip and belt issues as you guys mentioned.
The crappy part is that I've had to pay for someone to mow my lawn many times the past 2 years while my new mower was in the shop. Also really tarnished my opinion of Kubota overall - I still can't believe there's no support if you call Kubota corporate. But if this fix sticks, I can move on. Cheers!
