Kubota has a well-deserved reputation for not giving a rip how hard their equipment is to work on. That includes the simple stuff like adding engine oil. I think you’ll like the Skag.

@traviscovington4294

12 күн бұрын

That’s actually the exact opposite from what I’ve experienced.

@localcrew

12 күн бұрын

It’s like Bizarro World.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I do like the Scag. And yes, it has been much easier to work on so far.

@stevencaka

7 күн бұрын

I’ve worked at LansdowneMoody for right @ a little over 4 years and they sell Kubotas, Scags & Ferris’s The Ferris Moses are high dollar compared to the Kubota & Scag models. You done ✅ good 👍 with your Scag mower Ned. Hope you’re doing well and we’ll see you on the next one

@MrPendell

2 күн бұрын

As someone who inherited a Kubota B7500, I can confirm that some kubota models definitely were not designed with maintenance and repair in mind. Even something simple like stowing the mid mount mower in the raised position to use a 3 point hitch attachment is more of a challenge than it seems like it should have to be.

The hydrostatic drive is simply an adjustable output pump, feeding a set displacement motor.

Need to bale that hay and sell it. 😅

Don’t forget to flush your hyd system or it will fail again faster.

@davidparnell1893

Күн бұрын

Thinking the same thing...when the pump failed all those tiny metal filings had to go somewhere...like the wheel motor.

@rickbrown7067

23 сағат бұрын

@@davidparnell1893 After flushing is there somewhere to put a filter?

Hey good repair job. Nice mower too, I wanted one like that but your right the prices on a good zero turn are more than i used to pay for cars! Ha. I'm 67 and cut 5 acres to keep the varmints and coyotes back from house. Also in the wide open spaces if i don't keep up with the grass it will get high just like yours. First time i seen your video. I will check out some more of your content. Good job young man.

I love watching KZread videos to help me in figuring out out to fix things. But brother, some of the things you did are definitely above my pay grade! Great job diagnosing and fixing that beast!

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Hahah. Pretty simple once you dig into it. Thanks a bunch.

you need a tractor and a bushog

@dadefope80

14 күн бұрын

Right or a couple of goats, sheep or other small animal. They will knock that stuff down in no time.

@bch5513

Күн бұрын

Even pay someone to mow it ONCE and then take over

You did the right thing, I am rebuilding mine now. My new integrated wheel motor assembly is $2600.00 + Rebuild is $400.00 with new oil 👍

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

$2600! Ouch.

I have rebuilt several of these. The first thing is make sure it is as clean as possible, the tiniest amount of dirt will put you right back where you are. The second thing is mark the upper and lower body parts to insure they go back in the right position. They will go back together 180 degrees from the proper location. I found this out with my first one. Had to take it back off and reposition the pump. A lot of extra work that was completely unnecessary when a simple sharpie mark was all that was needed. Even if you have to replace the pump you are miles ahead of the new setups they're using today. They have gone from a two part system to a single pump/ wheel motor system. My friend had to have a Cub cadet replaced last year and it cost almost $2,000. I owned a landscaping and lawn care company for almost 25 years and never replaced a wheel motor. Always the pump and only replaced a couple of those, the rest I rebuilt.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Yes, I really like this mower. And it is my first time going this deep on one of these machines. So you know alot more than me. As long as parts are readily available I'd like to just keep running the Scag.

@donaldsink8115

11 күн бұрын

@@nedstephens I have an old 48 in. Scag. I'm talking early to mid nineties. I haven't bought any parts for it in a long time. Everytime I went in they would ask me when was I going to trade it or buy a new one. I guess they got tired of looking up parts on a micro fish since it wasn't on the computer, that's how old it is. My answer was, Why should I go into debt while this machine was still doing everything I needed. I am still operating a 2000 Exmark 60in Lazer around home, along with the little Scag. It's the one I have rebuilt the pumps on. It's a 23 hp water cooled Kawasaki. Make sure your fan runs constantly. Mine didn't and when it blew a fuse and I didn't realize it. I had to replace the engine at around 1500 hrs and I made sure it now runs all the time. This level of machines will last a long time if taken care of. When I purchase the Exmark it was $9,000 . I have no idea what it would cost today since I retired in 2017. From what you have done I think you have a good machine that will last. Plus you are your own mechanic and that will save you a lot of money.

If you mowed and baled that grass, which would be prairie hay you could actually make some money of that piece of land. It looks like great grass for that purpose.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Well it is industrial property. So I do need to keep it short and keep the city happy. But I will look into it. Thanks for the tip.

I would love to have a mower like that 😊

I love it when a project goes correctly. I enjoyed your video. Nice production, not over edited.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Thanks a bunch.

Mowers cost way too much now. It's just ridiculous. Some push mowers are even over-priced

What a pity that motor destroyed all your good work on the original pump. But still, all worked out well in the end. And the Skag is a good brand. Really enjoyed your video. Cheers.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I know. I could just shrug and learn the hard lessons. But happy I'm not too deep. It's good now. Thanks a bunch.

Should have bought the rotating group for the pump if the plate was that word the pistons were going to match. and that metal from the pump went in to the motor.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Probably, because that motor didn't look good. Thats for sure.

You met the challenge.

Very patient and methodical approach, job well done.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Thanks a bunch.

@Failure_Is_An_Option

6 күн бұрын

Oh yeah? Then why was the problem not identified and corrected? He threw money at the problem...

Good work on the diagnoses and repairs, so I decided to subscribe. Thanks for an informative and well-done video.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

I like your videos, I'd suggest showing a little more of your work. I think you'll have 250k subs in no time.

@Failure_Is_An_Option

6 күн бұрын

You mean with the jump cuts... the image flip, then not flipped...

Nice job on the diagnosis and repair.

@nedstephens

16 күн бұрын

Thanks a bunch.

@Failure_Is_An_Option

6 күн бұрын

You think that was a successful diagnosis?

12:18 you should weld the reinforcement inside the tube not on the outside but you will have to drill the plates or bars or square stock that will be welded into it first so it can still be bolted onto the machine like factory...then leave a 1/4 inch gap between the tubes to make your welds 360 around the reinforcement too both hold the tubes and the reinforcement together once fully welded...to stiffen it up=make it alot stronger than the manufacturer did in the first place...then grind the welds smooth so only you know how you repaired it...

@Oldmane-420

11 күн бұрын

It is estimated that grinding a weld will weaken the strength of the joint by 30%. Much better idea to simply lay down a proper bead so you don’t feel the need to grind it.

Adjust the preload on your front caster wheels. The one you wiggled was lose. Just tighten the bolt 1/2 round or so till the wiggle is gone. Been there done that.

@nedstephens

16 күн бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for the tip.

I love your welding helmet. Very patriotic! We need patriotism more than ever these days

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I agree. I do love this country.

Good video...

Those weights would be handy to climb steep hills. That is the same mower I used to cut 10 acres with a lake with a tall dam and a railroad overpass making a steep hills to mow. I The Scag was the only mower I demoed that would climb the hill without lifting. Also it was the only non-diesel mower that was water cooled. That mower 6 years old and 900 hours sold at auction for $12,000.

@nedstephens

8 сағат бұрын

Whoa baby. Hard to get use to them prices. Like getting in cold water - takes a minute to catch your breath 🥶

A word of warning. Been around these scags for 18 years. Tough, tough, tough! This front wheel struts are the weakest point on the frame. The 27hp Kawasaki is fantastic...keep your radiator screens clean. But in tall grass like that tou must ne very mindful of the pto shaft that drives the mower deck. Tall grass and weeds can get caught up in it and the u-joint and ultimately rip the fuel line out of the tank. Just be mindful. Otherwise you've got a great machine

@nedstephens

15 күн бұрын

I mowed it down and I do keep it short most of the time. And you're exactly right grass did get wrapped around the shaft. Took a lot of work to get it off. Almost turned into a rope. But I will watch out for the fuel line going forward. So far I am quite pleased with its performance. Good tip, thanks a bunch.

@kmb957

15 күн бұрын

The problem I had with my turf tiger is tall grass wrapped the pto shaft where it connects to the gearbox. The grass cut the oil seal of the gearbox and lost enough oil to seize up the gearbox. Expensive mistake.

@stephenmccool8127

15 күн бұрын

@kmb957 yes that can and does happen

I bought a Woods Mowin machine F 23 with a 61 inch deck last year. I had to put a new head on carburetor and of course all new belts. I now have a great mower that new today would run around 20 k.

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

Very nice!

With 15 acres of land to mow, id buy a cheap old tractor and a large miwer deck, always cheaper and tends to ve faster, then id think about bailing it all up, as good quality hay is expensive.

Nice Work. Good, Thx.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Thank you too!

I bought a riding mower that only ran long enough for me to get it home then was given a push mower that the person swore would start and run. I had to fix them both before I could use either one.

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

Ha. No one likes the double dose of broke down.

My guess the motor came by fedex =) they're rough with packages that are heavy to them =)

@nedstephens

15 күн бұрын

You nailed it. That was a fedex package. Guess they live up to their reputation. Haha.

Sir you mowing 15 acres. With how thick that grass is you need a tractor and a bushog. 😮

Why don't you have somebody bale that 15 acres? They'd do it for nothing just to keep the bales. That grass looked too good just to let lay there and rot.

I'm assuming that the motor didn't have any oil in it. Was it easy to fill and get the air out?

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Yeah it was pretty easy. But you don't want to go firing anything up until you're sure the pump and motor are full. Getting the air out is just a matter of loosening the bypass valve, putting the tire in the air, and then running it forward and reverse until the air is out.

Only critique is I would have replaced the rotor, as it was the other half of what was touching that valve plate, I’m sure it’s no longer in spec.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Yeah I need to find better literature on how that should be spec'd. Had trouble finding that.

@s1283

11 күн бұрын

Yeah I rebuilt two wheel motors and two pumps like 5 years ago. I may have to do them again, but not sure what it wi be this time. Last time it was mostly an issue with the gasket seal in the pumps and the bearings in the wheel motors

While you have it opened up check and replace the drive fluid and filter. Poor and dark fluid along with the filter would be a good investment. Hard to believe the pricing on those units.

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

Good call. Thanks. And I did change those.

Ohh I love scaggg

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I'm getting to that point myself.

@farmdog93

11 күн бұрын

@@nedstephens we have 21 scag mowers that we use weekly

Think the weights are for going up steep hills.

@nedstephens

8 сағат бұрын

It could be handy. But the weights do come with the bagger kit. So I sold them with the bagger.

Scag is a good mower however the liquid cooled engine is a downfall. Most manufacturers don't have liquid cooled engines unless they are diesel because they are a nightmare. That same engine was on bad boys I owned years ago and they was short lived. But hopefully you will have better luck than we did

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

I hope so too. Thanks.

Did you get parts through your scan dealer or a direct component dealer? Would you leave the component contact, thanks

@nedstephens

8 сағат бұрын

I bought the stuff off eBay. Just grab serial numbers and search. I used bought from aldermansinc and total-power-parts. For rebuild stuff I used perrypower and outdoorpowerequipment. Hope that helps.

Too bad you have to mow that. Sure would be nice to have the edges mowed in a few passes nicely and then let it grow into a nice grassland. You could have some very knowledgeable conservation groups help with that happily and if jt is "needed" in the future so be it. But until this it could benefit the environment tremendously and likely get a ton of views and following. M

I bought a turf tiger with a 72" deck and a 2 year only 35 hp Vanguard liquid cooled v twin. Very powerful but parts are no longer made for the engine and it overheats. Plenty go coolant flow but I can only use it for 20 minutes before the temp makes it's way into the red. Vanguard/Briggs says there's no equivalent replacement engine. It only cost me $2K and I've gotten 2 seasons out of it but it's annoying to have to mad dog the gauge and mow my 12 acres an acre at a time.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Oh wow. That's a bummer. I've run the Kawasaki now in 100 degree weather and it doesn't overheat at all. Runs really strong like a champ. My Kubota would overheat like crazy, and I could never come up with a fix. Hope you find a fix for it though.

@turbodog99

9 күн бұрын

Mine has the 35 briggs air cooled. ~10 years now, no problems.

@curtshelp6170

9 күн бұрын

@@turbodog99 I wish I could just hang an air cooled vanguard on mine but apparently that doesn't work because they said there is no alternative listed.

@mikewest712

22 сағат бұрын

Your Kubota overheating was most likely a diesel lift pump. Just changed mine and it runs cool. ​@@nedstephens

@nedstephens

7 сағат бұрын

@@mikewest712 I wish I could go back and check that. Dealer did tell me overheating was common in my model. If I ever get another one I'll check the lift pump. Thanks bud.

Did you find an hydraulic filter on it with bearing and thrust plate metal in it?? You don't want that stuff attacking your new pump and motor!!

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I did clean out the system and replaced the filter. But I honestly couldn't find any metal in anything. Kind of crazy with all the damage I found. You're right though, only takes a small little piece to create a problem.

Kinda sounds like it has a bad bearing on an idler or spindle.

If the Skag doesnt work out look for a Ferris. MIne has been virtually indestructible.

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

I actually missed out on one the day before I bought the Scag. Was really interested in how that suspension rode. Indestructible is what I like.

❤

And all the metal in hydro tank . Hope the water pump in that KW holds up its plastic . That eng is no longer built and No parts . You at least change the hydro filter.

@nedstephens

Күн бұрын

Yes I did change it. And I hope it all holds up too.

Why are you mowing 15acres?

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

It's an industrial property. And I need to keep it mowed. If it was just a homestead I'd probably let it go.

Nail it for hay or have someone do it for yah…

@philliphall5198

14 күн бұрын

If he’s smart 😊

Replace the front wheel bearing. They are worn out .

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Yeah that did have some slop in it. Now that its running I'll take a closer look.

Chunked pump.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

You're right on keeping varmits at bay. The first cut I did had rats and snakes scurrying with every pass. Prices are ridiculous, just glad I pounced on this one as fast as I did.

Comment

Any time you find damage in a hydraulic system, the entire system should be disassembled and cleaned and serviced. Metal pieces flow through the system and share the misery.

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

I did run fluid through the system. Knock on wood I hope I don't have a future video replacing two more pumps and two more motors. Haha.

@idadho

11 күн бұрын

@@nedstephens Did you cycle that fluid through a filter and check it with a magnet?

Wait a minute, you're cutting 15 acres with a "mower"? Realy? You would need a batwing mower behind a tractor and it would still take many, many hours.

SHOULD HAVE INVESTED IN A TRACTOR AND BUSHHOG WOULD BE BETTER FOR THAT JOB AND WAY EASIER TO CUT....

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Maybe so. But after cutting it twice, I'm really impressed by the Turf Tiger. Really fast, and a nice cut. So for now I'll just keep on with it.

The flag on the hat tells me this isn't the content I'm looking for. What's with the mirror image video?

@nedstephens

11 күн бұрын

Won't apologize for the flag. I love the flag. As to the mirroring - I hopefully fixed that glitch.