Originally Posted by wswartzwel (Post 12335984)

I am an authorized Hydroguard repair center.. At the last Hydroguard training event I was at, the topic of oil came up. Most of the dealers there used the Rotella rather than Hydroguards branded oil.

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 12336051)

I hope you have zero experience with the HG 3100s :D!

They are entry level commercial/homeowner ... not like the REAL commercial hydros... much more robust I'm sure.

What weight... 20W50?

Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12335749)

yer in big trouble mister! I'm telling the guys in the 911 tech section oil thread what you said. Yer callin down the thunder!! :d

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 12335880)

That's what I thought too ...

According to my "new" dealer ... regular auto oils (new formulas over the last decade or so) ... are just "no bueno"... either in the motor or trannys these days.

Earl is cheap ;)

Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12335881)

I have the flex forks on my machine and my dad had them on his machine. I'm honestly not sure just how much they really improve the ride. What tire pressure are you running on your mower? I think my Hustler runs 10 in the front and 8 in the rear but I could have that reversed. I think air pressure would probably help as much as the flex forks. I can put a caliper on the outer tube that holds the forks and measure the length of the tube. Those two measurements might help determine if what you've got is similar.

I disagree that the flex forks help more than the seats with shocks or springs. My mower has flex forks and adjustable suspension seat (standard style not like pictured above). At full speed I can still bounce myself pretty good.

My next mower, if the Hustler ever decides to go, will probably be a Ferris with full suspension. Everyone I talk to about them says they're the smoothest ride going for a mower.

Originally Posted by masraum (Post 12336192)

Interesting. I'd love to know why.

Still possible to find "SAE 30" which was the mower recommendation WAY back in the day.

Originally Posted by pavulon (Post 12336103)

Mobil 1 20-50 V-twin in my Walker Kohler Ti25 engine and Mobil SHC 630 in the hydrostatic pumps. It's a 5 year old, low-hour, summer only rig and probably over-maintained but so far, no problems. I'm religious about starting it only at idled throttle and when cold letting it run a minute or more before taking it to operating RPM. I'd rather not fix things that were ruined by being stupid.

Originally Posted by masraum (Post 12336194)

I think my ZT calls for more pressure in the front than the rear, so that would make sense for yours. I suspect they are all pretty similar with the most weight and biggest tires in the rear.

My wife would love something with better suspension, but I suspect she wouldn't like the bill to get it.

Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12336251)

Keep your eyes open for a homeowner owned mower. Sometimes they'll post on Marketplace trying to sell for a bit more or the same as trade in. I'd stay away from the mowing company owned machines. The farmer owned mower is a good one to get as well. They'll buy them and write them off as a farm expense then sell them every few years.

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 12336238)

Yep ... that's what used for years. Per him ... the zinc & phosphorus were reduced in auto oils some years back. Like the 911s .... I still use Brad Penn, but have bottles of ZDDP from years ago too ;).

Seems to know his stuff ... Toro dealer for years .... I just discovered him.

"BT South" is his biz..... good web site that he did ....

He's a Toro man :)

His display cases full of Benchmades behind the counter don't have prices on them ....

I probably shouldn't go back :D

Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12336251)

Keep your eyes open for a homeowner owned mower. Sometimes they'll post on Marketplace trying to sell for a bit more or the same as trade in. I'd stay away from the mowing company owned machines. The farmer owned mower is a good one to get as well. They'll buy them and write them off as a farm expense then sell them every few years.

Originally Posted by speeder (Post 12336737)

I had no idea what this thread was about from the title and I have to say, after reading the OP and subsequent posts, I still don't. Lawnmowers? :confused:

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway (Post 12336879)

Use what the OEM says to use.