Husqvarna Z-54 Mower Rehab and Tire Upgrade

This is a rehab of a Husqvarna Z-54 mower. It will get upgraded Ocelot Tires, and new miscellaneous replacement parts such as spindles and blades. Also the deck will be refurbished and painted.
Here's where I ordered my tires from (Amazon)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

[@jesseblankenship3923]

You’re spot on removing the bearing seals. One thing I would have done differently.. I would have hand packed the spindles and bearings while I had it apart.

[@WhoDaBoss-dc4or]

I recently put ATV tires on my IKON 52. I love them. They don't tear up grass as much as I thought they would. I found that a spinning turf tire does more damage than a gripping ATV tire. I like the zip tie solution on the safety switch.

[@williamanderson9205]

What size tires did you put on your icon 52? Just curious cuz I got a ikon 60 with turf tires and I want to put ATV tires on

[@karaszklany3275]

Genius!! Loved the idea of removing the seal on the bearings of the spindles

[@newsnowriversidesgtrock8144]

Been there, done that, on John Deere LA-150 . It was on TFA.

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Even a lot of the commercial ZTRs mowers use sealed bearings. The grease into the spindle is just to help keep water out, that's about it. If you were going through all that to remove the inner seals, I would have packed the bearing when it was apart, that way you get get it fully into there. If you load enough grease to have it come out you would blow the outer seal which would let dirt, water into the bearing. Keep up the good work!

[@Farm_fab]

It's good to see that you used black zip ties on that switch. They are UV protected. Where we work we use metal detectable zip ties, and we use them for hanging plastic for power washing, so we do cut them on an angle to push through the plastic, but we cut the ends off after we use them on the plastic so that when someone is power washing, they don't get hurt.

[@JCTheLawnCareGuy]

Great video. I wish you’d done a before and after shot. Excellent job at restoring this mower

[@henrywit6147]

Great video. Full of good ideas to materially enhance the mower, as well as extend its useful life.

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks! 👍

[@adangames2505]

You also gain ground speed with the higher tires. I bought a RZ5426 brand new years ago. I put I think 20” tires on within the first week. Still mow with that mower. It’s been an incredible reliable mower and simple and cheap to change spindles and belts etc. Great video..thanks

[@kennethperian4370]

Great job showing and telling, keep up the good work fixing them lawnmowers . Now you can cut that grass, have a good one see ya next time see ya bye.

[@ken3700]

Gorilla glue works perfectly on a seat coming apart like that.. I know I used it as an experiment … $5 works absolutely

[@BspPlays9287]

I had that kind of mower for a long time. RZ5424 I upgraded last year to a MZ54.

[@kennolte5801]

Excellent job on the video. I am always surprised how many people will just dispose of a mower for the most minor reasons. You did a great job bringing that one back. Your tip on the spindle bearings is solid. I would have hand packed them with real grease before installing them back in the spindles but that is a personal preference. Still a great video. Keep up the good work and do more like this. Ya dun well.

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks for the support. I actually did hit the spindles with real grease after installing.

[@leocosta3944]

Finally, someone else that knows about Ospho.

[@danielpadgett2831]

Awsome job on that mower

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks!

[@robertheinkel6225]

I don’t have a shop press, but I do have a receiver hitch. I use a bottle Jack between the rim and hitch to break the tire beads.

[@flaberdoopin]

Awesome video boss!

[@thecuttingforce]

Wow cool video love the big tiers.. you put on like a champ. Subed. Cool stuff

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks!

[@cwdrake09]

I just did the same thing to my newly acquired RZ-5424, this season, minus repainting. My deck is apparently missing that whole center shroud around the blade and I didn't know until watchin this hahaha.

[@knighthawk86855]

Awesome job, I subbed and rang the bell.... Your camera person is top notch.

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks for the input!

[@Silverado5.3]

Looks like a new mower.

[@PaffordHomestead]

I need to look into the tires for my bad boy mower

[@kurtsimmons1587]

Would you not need a taller tire in the front too? Love the rear wheels because I get stuck all of the time. They are not good for wet grass!

[@josefmd]

So been thinking about changing out my 18x9.5x8 on my Bad Boy Magnum to some 20x10x8 tires. Am worried about a deck issue( leveling) with going up two sizes. From the looks of your video the mower didn't seem to change much( rear being higher then the front) Did you have to adjust the deck after making the change?

[@bradywilliams2951]

that was my first question, as well. I wish he had addressed this because in the 'after' shot video, the frame and deck still looked quite level.

[@RollinMyOwn]

I put a 2x2 1/4 wall front bumper on mine and built a snow plow,sod cutter, and a trenches that mounts to it... made wheel weights that boly to the lugs so it has plenty for snow removal. the little mower is more than capable... awesome little zeroturn. Nought it used 1100 at 89 hours it now has 159 and runs like new. I also rebuilt the deck when I first got it. And I put bar tires on. 0 problems with traction.

[@funkeworks2947]

Great ideas! No snow down here in Florida. But I have pulled my jet ski out of the lake with it.

[@RollinMyOwn]

@@funkeworks2947 that's the other thing I did was weld a regular 2 1/4 receiver on the back of mine and as long as you keep that trailer balanced no problem...I have thought about putting one on the front bumper also so I can two either way. I love my husq so much I bought a full set of extra decals after I bought it cause I want it to look like new when I think it's time to restore it. But I doubt I will tow much more with it because I just bought a 1978 jd 316 it's kind of a harder one to find because only 1 year of production that has what mine has. Dual action front hydraulic and a rear pto also 3 pt hitch. .

[@funkeworks2947]

That's cool.

[@bigsonslawncare]

Great job especially on the deck! New sub will be following 💯✔️💪🏽

[@funkeworks2947]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bigsonslawncare]

@@funkeworks2947 ✔️💯

[@scooter6334]

That’s funny I just put new aggressive tires on my regular ride mower it will almost d0 the same thing now popping a wheelie in the mud lol

[@roboboil1648]

Awesome content. Great job. New subscriber!

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@shuff1111]

Those bigger tires will make your lowest cut setting cut higher though!

[@brianbudd8487]

Wish I could have you fix my JD LT160

[@jokermahem666]

Did you have to change the ride height of the deck because of the larger/taller tires than stock ?? Was the deck taller in the rear now than the front because of the taller tires in the rear?

[@davidkiker4362]

Not a piece of safety equipment in sight. Lol. The same way I work

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

I'm more of a commercial mower man, but nice work, and I live fat tires on anything 😂 You might nomed a rops bar on that mower the way she jumps now.

[@RatHat76]

Can you link to the size tires you purchased?

[@mindsablank8061]

Great vid. I give you a 👍 just for the music

[@bryangiron7611]

how did you know that the wider tires wouldn't rub on the inside?

[@tomclark9168]

What did u run for psi in your tires …..did you stick with 15 or bump it up any

[@damarpo5467]

SMART SMART!!! very cleaver!

[@hipdaizii]

I like those tire upgrades. Got. Aquestion though. By being a couple inches taller how did that affect your leveling adjustment?

[@funkeworks2947]

Interestingly enough, originally the deck could be lowered right to dirt level, which was way too low. With taller tires the adjustment range is perfect, and it mows great

[@hipdaizii]

@@funkeworks2947 Interesting, I am doing same for ferris mower and was just curious if you had enough adjustment to compensate for the taller tires. Thanks for the response

[@bd8026]

Why not pack the bearings while new spindle was apart??? Then reassemble

[@markshuput5228]

What do those taller tires do for deck hight? My Husqvarna z5424 hangs up on the deck when I drive it on the trailer.

[@newsnowriversidesgtrock8144]

You could have cleaned out the "Vaseline" and hand packed the bearings before reassembly. That would have guaranteed that the bearings would have been (I hate auto correct geez 'being') greased with the proper high temp wheel bearing grease.

[@funkeworks2947]

Thanks Grease Police! I actually did hit the spindles with real grease after installing

[@newsnowriversidesgtrock8144]

@@funkeworks2947 I was not concerned about your using grease. I knew you did because of your comments in the video. I was referring to your comment on the Vaseline actually in the bearing. You assembled the spindle with the Vaseline still in the bearing. Yeah, I know that once you assembled the spindle and injected the fresh grease it will mix with the "Vaseline" and all will be hunky dory. Just being picky about the baby grease. Love what you do! You inspired me to remove the spindle bearings in my John Deere LA 150 54". Two were actually locked up and one was loose but grindy/rusty. I cleaned them all with military rifle bore cleaner (I bought 120 bbls of the stuff at a government auction. The tag said 128 units, poor me I thought that it was referring to the number of OZ in a gallon of the stuff, Nope, There really was 128 55 gal bbls. When I told them that I did not understand how much it was, they said they did not care they would start charging me storage after three days. It took all three days and a bunch of trips with my old pick up but, I finally got it all.) Then packed them with

[@funkeworks2947]

Wow! Government auction lessons! I recently purchased an F350 brush truck off a government auction (likely future video) quite the experience. Three days to come get it, then the title I got wasn't accepted at DMV and had to get that fixed.

[@BigDsHomestead]

Doesn't adding bigger tires throw the mowing height out of whack? You would have to raise the front ones too, to compensate.

[@funkeworks2947]

The deck had enough adjustment to level the deck back out. It mows great.

[@markward6076]

You didn't check the air pressure?

[@michaelfarris2556]

Hell you got the deck looking new and good music to go with it. Did you have any problems getting air in the tires? Looks like you definitely got more bite with them.

[@burgeman]

what did you paint on the bottom of the deck with the brush? degreaser or something?

[@jasonwolfington]

looked like Ospho rust treatment

[@stevenfan1218]

I would like to know the tire size you started with on the back.. And the size you went to..thank you

[@TigerRagFishingTeam]

I have a larger light commercial version of a Husqvarna zero turn with 23x9.50-12 turf tires. Been searching for that exact tire. I know how well those hook up on sport quads. Can't seem find anything over 20". Good video to show the traction. Question - do they tear the turf up at all or because of the greater traction, leave it intact? Appreciate the video!

[@dakotamcneely5779]

What are the different tire sizes

[@gtdreamer7181]

what was the size of the tire? how tall? thanks.

[@williamdixon7088]

what air pressure are you running

[@codyswilley]

I love watching people on KZbin struggle with changing a tire. I'm 22 and I do it with nothing but a tire hammer and 2 tire spoons.

[@jeromyw385xp]

I got ya all beat. we got a manual tire changer at the farm and love it. no power needed.

[@kenshaum3994]

Should have put grease in the bearing's by hand

[@justinbarker4603]

Do you have a link for the tires? I have a Mx-61 that I am constantly fighting with traction.

[@funkeworks2947]

Yes, if I can get it Prime delivered that's where I shop. You can also look on ATV sites for other types and reviews www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079B3SFD5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@LuisRodriguez-sc1oq]

🇺🇸🇵🇪🇵🇷😎 Good idea, thanks!!

[@johnverschoor7513]

cool those wide tires fit on the same rims ?my mower tires are 20×8×8 , and I'm wanting to put 20×10×8 and put spacers on it so the tire won't rub on the fram but some one said i can't do it .What do you think?

[@funkeworks2947]

If you have a Husqvarna Z-54 I don't think spacers are necessary. I have 20x11x8 and I measured my setup. The closest the tire is to the frame is at the top and it is 3/4 of an inch. I adjusted the deck to compensate for the additional height in the rear. This mower originally came with 18 inch tires. I gained approximately 2 mph ground speed due to the additional height. You can measure from the back edge of your rim to the closest interference with your frame. A 20x11x8 tire mounted on the 8" rim protrudes 1 1/2 inches from the lip of the rim. Example would be if you have 2 inches from the edge of your rim to your closest interference with this tire you would have 1/2 inch of clearance with this tire.

[@johnverschoor7513]

i have a cub cadet ultima zt1 .by looking at it today think i might need spacers , the stock tires 20×8×8 are about 3/4 inch from the frame. Darn lol

[@jesseblankenship3923]

I have a 42” Toro that I upsized the tires. Ended up using 1 1/2 inch spacers. Over a year now with no problems.

[@brandonrakes6341]

I have the newer z254 it’s has a 9.5 kenda turf. It doesn’t look like there is any more room for any wider tire so im assuming it’s not really wider just taller is there any way you could tape measure the tire if not I’ll probably risk it anyways

[@kevinmcdonald4810]

CAN you tell me the exact Ocelot Tire size 11 x?? model? thanks I have a Z54 and slide down hill badly

[@brucebonkowski9568]

Why didn't you grease the spindle before installing I took my spindles apart bought timken bearing Sealed and mine still after 4yrs commercial mowing run good you can pull the seals but pack some good grease into them

[@funkeworks2947]

You're right. And I did do that but didn't show it, and everybody keeps commenting on it! LOL. My first video I did, sorry. I'm learning.

[@toddprovis7534]

Those bolts will break off and mandrill will be ready to take off. Unless you just want to replace bearings..

[@riccochet704]

What size tires did you go with? I think my Z248 has the same size rear tires as yours did, and I want to upgrade.

[@funkeworks2947]

20x11x8 I put the link for where I got them off Amazon in the description

[@riccochet704]

@@funkeworks2947 Thank you! Definitely going to upgrade my tires. Stock tires are absolute garbage.

[@riccochet704]

@@funkeworks2947 Also assuming you had to re-level your deck due to the added height in the rear?

[@funkeworks2947]

Honestly no. The added height was perfect, at least on this mower. Mows great as is.

[@williamdixon7088]

[@jcramer20]

It's called a sealed bearing.

[@altonrowell613]

Nice job. Once you go to a zero turn mower you are spoiled rotten. Just bought me a new mower. Hustler Fas trak 54 inch deck. 7916.00 out the door.

[@crustydownunder]

The hole for the zip tie will eventually wear that tie through.

[@ericpigg2689]

Maybe in 20 years.

[@floridagunrat1625]

If the tie is not tight, otherwise that mower will go to the scrap yard with that zip tie!

[@jeremymusgrove3536]

Are those new tires 20x11?

[@funkeworks2947]

Yes. 20-11-8 Ocelot tires.

[@TheSlvrBullet]

@@funkeworks2947 and you put those on the stock, 18x9.5x8 rim? I’m having the same problem with traction so I’m looking to upgrade, as well.

[@bunky060171]

ummm....sealed bearings are SEALED for a reason? They are pre-greased with a synthetic grease, in the correct amount for their service life, and then sealed to keep external contaminants out.

[@rhondaholeinoneon16]

You seem to know a lot about husqvarna. What causes the mower to slide when mowing a bank?

[@KristopherKane]

Gravity, usually.

[@fxnytro141]

just came for the tires 😢

[@staylofordo7111]

The bearing covers are NOT seals. They protect the bearings from bigger pieces of grit. If you use EP grease, when the spindle warms up, it will flow DOWN into the lower bearing, but the upper bearing will not get greased , just because you pumped grease through the fitting. You should have hand packed those. Also, the larger tires, had to affect the cutting angle of the deck, which is adjustable. Now, it leaves streaks in the the fresh cut grass, if you didn’t pitch the deck straight. Good video though. Nice mower, I have the MZ54. Heavier frame, a bit more Kohler, closer to the industrial series.

[@jimkeene8985]

With the taller tires can u get the blades down low enough 2 cut the grass. Jk

[@funkeworks2947]

Yes! The deck would go all the way to the dirt before the upgrade. Now it is perfect. At least on this mower.

[@dclarke61546]

How often do you mow sand?

[@floridagunrat1625]

I don't know where he is at, but here in Florida, pretty much every time we mow We mow sand!

[@brensdaman926]

Good intentions, but painting the underside of a mower deck is a waste of time and paint. Line-X is the way to go on those

[@dfre6422]

Those deck wheels don't do their job if they don't stick down below the deck. That's why the front of the deck was messed up in the first place. Also, if you went to the trouble of tearing the new spindles apart, why didn't you just pack them with grease?

[@elijahmcgaugh9579]

Hey i need to used 8" lawn mower tires

[@nocoolname32]

i don't have your skills or attention to detail or patience. that being said, i would never spend this much time on a consumer mower. spend the same time on commercial unit someone has given up on and you'll have the fruits of your labor around a lot longer.

[@jebcommon2332]

Wear some safer shoes or boots when working on that. Great video though.

[@kentnauman9863]

I don’t want to watch someone wearing crocks