Looking to DIY your Kubota Z700 Series Maintenance?
Maintaining your Kubota Z700 Series is crucial if you want to keep your mower functioning at its best. While some may prefer to take their lawnmower to a
professional like our Service Department at any Kubota Center location for maintenance,
the truth is that you can perform many of the necessary tasks yourself if you have the time to do it! Not only will this save you money in the long run, but it’ll also give you a sense of pride in knowing that you can take care of your equipment.
We’ll be discussing some DIY Kubota Z700 Series maintenance tips that you can implement to keep your mower functioning smoothly!
Before you begin any maintenance:
For all of the following maintenance tasks, be sure to follow all personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines outlined in your owner’s manual. Obtain the proper materials for your desired maintenance like oil, oil filter, fuel filter, etc from
a Kubota Center location near you!
Oil & Filter Change
What you’ll need:
Oil filter wrench
Selection of hand tools
Drain pan
Shop towels
Oil Change:
Park the mower on level ground.
Let the engine cool so the oil isn’t too hot. Warm oil is easier to remove, but hot oil will burn.
Remove the oil drain hose from its holder.
Loosen the end cap before passing the hose through the opening on the underside of the mower’s frame.
Open the cap full, letting the oil drain into the dip pan.
Once the oil is drained completely, retighten the cap and place the hose back into its original position.
Oil Filter Change:
Remove the oil filter by using the oil filter wrench, if necessary.
Clean the metal surface of the engine with a clean rag.
Wet the o-ring on the new filter with a thin film of clean, new engine oil.
Install the new filter.
Once the filter touches the base, continue turning it by hand ¾ to a full turn to ensure it's on.
Oil Refill:
Refer to your owners manual or local Kubota Center dealer for proper oil type and quantity.
Fill the engine with new oil. Be sure to not overfill as it could cause engine damage.
Important Information:
Be sure to run the engine for a minute after filling to check it for leaks. Then, shut it off and correct the oil level as necessary.
Oil and oil filter change should be done every 100 hours and check the oil level prior to each use.
Fuel Filter Service/Change
What you’ll need:
Drain pan
Pliers
Shop towels
Important Note: No smoking in the area and make sure there are no sources of ignition!
Changing the Fuel Filter:
Park the mower on level ground and shut it off.
Lift the seat, making sure to use extra caution that the engine is not too hot.
Turn off the fuel supply valve on top of the tank.
Clean any debris from the area of the fuel filter before removing.
Using pliers, release the pressure from the clamps and slide the clamps down the hose, away from the filter.
Remove both hoses from the old filter.
Important Note: Cover the lines with paper or rags when the filter is not installed to minimize contamination to the fuel system.
Install the new filter and slide the clamps back in place. Be sure to install the filter with the arrow in the direction of flow.
Open the fuel valve.
Lower the seat.
Run the engine for 10 seconds in order to verify there are no leaks.
Important Information:
Always check the fuel lines periodically. Fuel lines are subject to wear and aging. Fuel may leak into the engine, causing a fire.
Change the fuel filter every 100 hours.
HST Transmission Adjustment & Lever Controls
What you’ll need:
A pair of jack stands or a suitable, firm blocking.
Floor jack
Safety glasses
An assortment of wrenches and hand tools
Torque wrench
Adjusting the HST:
Park the mower in a well ventilated, flat area.
Using the floor jack, lift the rear of your Z700 Series mower.
Securely place the jack stands or blocks under the rear frame.
Important Note: Do not rely on hydraulic support as it can bleed down or accidentally release.
Remove both rear wheels
Start the engine and run at maximum speed.
Place the motion control lever in the neutral lock position.
If either rear axle is turning, observe the following steps to adjust the neutral position:
Put weight on the seat.
Lengthen, or shorten, the rod by a half turn and tighten the lock nuts.
Caution: the hub might be turning when adjusting.
Place the motion control lever to the reverse position and move it forward slowly.
Place it back in the neutral lock position and check that the axle does not rotate.
If it does, readjust as necessary following the same steps as above.
Adjust the opposite side lever, equally, in the same manner.
Adjusting the Lever Controls:
Important Note: Both motion control levers are interlinked but adjust separately. Both must be adjusted.
Make sure the engine is stopped and the key is removed.
With the engine not running, push the motion control lever until it reaches the end of its range of motion.
Move the speed adjustment plate rearward two to three millimeters.
Tighten the front bolt securely.
If the motion control levers are unequal, adjustment is necessary.
To adjust the high or low position:
Remove the bolts and select high or low.
Tighten the bolts.
To adjust lever alignment in the left and right modes:
Loosen the bolts.
Slide both levers forward or rearward to the desired position within the tab slots until the levers are aligned.
Tighten the bolts.
Important Note: Check your operator’s manual for the correct torque settings for bolt tightness.
Finishing Up:
Replace/put back the wheels and tires on the mower.
Tighten to the proper torque setting, as stated in the operator’s manual.
With the floor jack, safely lift the mower and remove the jack stands or blocks.
Lower the mower back to the ground.
Test the adjustment by safely operating your Kubota Z700 at full speed in a straight line.
If the Z700 pulls to one side or the other, that usually indicates that one wheel is turning faster than the other. The adjustment to correct that is simple:
Bring the mower back into a well ventilated, flat surface, apply the parking brake and shut off the mower.
Loosen the bolts on the faster side of the mower.
Move the plate slightly rearward. This should slow the side.
Tighten the bolts.
Retest and repeat as necessary.
If you’re more of a visual learner, watch our step-by-step videos below!
