2017 54inch ZRT - Loss of one side forward movement

[MBman]

So I was mowing the other day, and suddenly lost any forward or back movement of the left side. push arm forward or back little or no response. Turned it off , restarted and then had enough to get her back to the garage. Turned it off, looked at all the linkages and they looked fine, no leaks , nothing that I could see. Sat for 20 minutes or so , started back up and then mowed for another hour without issue except for a slightly lower response from forward and back pull on that left arm. Im baffled but thinking drive belt ( super hot that day)
That in itself looks like a bear to change. But any ideas or things I could look for or check
Thanks in advance

[ironman]

And the model of your ZRT is???????????????

[ol'George]

I googled Cub ZRT,ASSUMING it is a cub cadet.
Turns out its a generic name, like SUV if for a common transportation vehicle.
Not being familiar with anything made in the last 40 years, I will sit on the sidelines.
But being 8 years old in todays throw away society, its prolly time for a new lawnmower.
or replacement of the hydro motor on that side if the belt is good.

[ironman]

ZRT = ?????
ZTR = Zero Turn Rider (generic for models FMZ, RZT, RZT-L, RZT-S, Series 360, Series Z, Tank L, Tank LZ, Tank S, Tank SZ, Ultima, Z Force L, and Z Force S)

[MBman]

sorry
Model # 17AICAXAO1O
2016
Serial
1L136H10020

CUB Cadet

[MBman]

here is tag

[ironman]

You have a separate hydro for each rear wheel and a single belt drives both of them simultaneously, so it doesn't seem likely that the belt is your problem.

What you are describing is the classic symptoms of hydro failure. They are repairable but that is neither cheap nor easy.
Some folks try changing the fluid but that rarely works for long, if at all.

[MBman]

thanks for the info
so a slipping belt or worn ( it is original , 612 hrs on the unit) would not cause this, how would I get a final diagnosis?

AND any thoughts on why it worked after I rested it for 20 minutes ?

[MBman]

and if I wanted to start with the belt , does the clutch HAVE to come off to replace , it looks like it will come off the tensioner and hydro units , but cant tell about over the clutch, looks like a wire I could disconnect but ???

[ol'George]

Resting= cooling the hyd fluid which restores some viscosity from the hot temps you described.
No expert here, but I would make sure the fins on the hydro are clean.
You could try changing the hydro oil and it might buy you some time to decide if you want to go with a new hydro on that side or trade it.
it sounds like that hydro is on the the way out.
but If it were me, I do some more googling to see if they have known problems, maybe some one else here has experience with that model hydro.
obviously they don't build the quality like they did yesteryear, but I don't know the hour life expectancy of them.