possible hydrogear zt3100 noise (video linked)??

S

slowindown

Forum Newbie
I bought this mower (hustler fastrak 54) new in 2013. It has around 1700 hours on it. The last time I changed the hyd oil and filters was mid summer last year.

Last week when I was mowing I noticed a grumbling metallic sound developing. I thought was a deck spindle. I turned the blades off the noise persisted. That led me to think that the noise was either the trans idler pulley or the tensioner pulley. I replaced the tensioner pulley the noise remained. No noise if the drive belt is off. I then replaced the idler pulley and the drive belt. The noise remains. I used OEM parts from my selling dealer. There is no slop in the tensioner arm bushings. This has me thinking that it is something internal to one of the transaxles. I cannot pinpoint where the noise is coming from. I tried an automotive stethoscope but everything seems loud. It seems to drive normally aside from the noise.

Three videos below. One is the noise after changing the tensioner pulley. The second is me spinning the trans pulley with a battery powered drill. The third is after replacing tensioner pulley, idler pulley and belt.

Any thoughts? At this point, I'm seriously considering running it until something breaks and then replacing whatever that is.



 
In the third video, the fan blade/pulley seems to be shaking more than the other one. In the first video, around 16 seconds, there seems a lot of vibration in that arm/spring. I don't know that machine, but that's what I get from the videos.
 
Mark H_NO said:
In the third video, the fan blade/pulley seems to be shaking more than the other one. In the first video, around 16 seconds, there seems a lot of vibration in that arm/spring. I don't know that machine, but that's what I get from the videos.
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Yes, the arm/spring is the arm with the tensioner pulley. It is why I initially replaced the pulley on that arm. But that didn't help.

The bushings where that arm pivots and is bolted into a bung on the frame is solid, no slop. So I went on to change the idler pulley and the belt (which was needing replacement anyway).

There are 4 pulleys total: one solidly affixed to the crankshaft, the two I replaced with bearings, and the two on the transaxles which are bolted to the transaxles.

I do see now that you mention it that the right side transaxle pulley/fan is wobbling a bunch more than the left. I replaced that pulley/fan maybe 4-5 years ago - I think it self loosened but can't really recall, maybe where it meshed onto the transaxle output shaft wallowed out - I guess that's something to check.
 
Also for something lodged in the pulley v groove like a stick or rock.

And broken transaxle to frame mounts. Hustler is bad about breaking these.
 
StarTech said:
Also for something lodged in the pulley v groove like a stick or rock.

And broken transaxle to frame mounts. Hustler is bad about breaking these.
Click to expand...
I have a new tension spring coming tuesday. I did run my finger through the crank pulley and transaxle pulley when I was replacing components. I'll check againe when I replace the spring. I will also check the mounting points at that time.
 
FIXED

@Mark H_NO noticed one of the transaxle pulleys wobbling more than the other. I remembered that I had replaced that pulley, fan and other bits about 4 years ago. I recall it got really loud and that time it was extremely noticeable that the pulley was shot. So I ordered the kit again and installed it this morning. Now it’s quiet and smooth.

Thanks to everyone who responded trying to help me get this sorted.

I’m attaching a picture of the parts (with parts numbers though it came as an entire kit) that fixed it. The entire kit was about $48. The other stuff I replaced was due anyway, especially the belt. IMG_6774.jpeg
 
I would start, with a good CLEANING, of the machine.

You have so much packed up debris and dirt not helping anything on top and below. Really need to drive it into a swimming pool at high speed.

My friend, take a leaf blower or shop air at the minimum to attempt a cleaning at every mow. Power washer though not advised but in your case, blast away.

Take care of your mower so IT can take care of you. Little Turtle Wax on the deck. Tire dressing all around........
 
slomo said:
I would start, with a good CLEANING, of the machine.

You have so much packed up debris and dirt not helping anything on top and below. Really need to drive it into a swimming pool at high speed.

My friend, take a leaf blower or shop air at the minimum to attempt a cleaning at every mow. Power washer though not advised but in your case, blast away.

Take care of your mower so IT can take care of you. Little Turtle Wax on the deck. Tire dressing all around........
Click to expand...
lol. It has over 13 years and over 1700 hours of hard use. I would say it has taken care of me pretty dang well. I do leaf blower it occasionally and weld more sheet to the deck when a new spot rusts through. I do regularly change the oil, hydro filters/oil, and clean/replace the air filter.

But , as mentioned, in the post above yours, it’s fixed now.
 
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