so me and my dad recently got a cub cadet rzt 50 with hydrogear zt 2200 zte transmissions on it and I'm not sure if its the slight slope we drive on I feel as if the power going up hill is kinda weak even with the engine at full throttle when turning sometimes not all the time it will barely try to turn till I set the sticks in neutral and then turn then go forward sometimes it will run wide open but its been acting funny again im not sure if this is user error or poor adjustment on the handles but its an on off kinda thing some people I've asked have told me its the filter problem is the filter is inside the transmission housing and I'm good and fixing lawnmowers but not that good has kind and a whine noise when it doesn't want to turn or go forward easy anyway if you guys have any info please do share thanks

Attached a picture to the post. Got this from a friend who was moving. It definitely works as he was using it yesterday morning. 427 hours.

Model is 17AH3AGP709

The deck needs one of the casters welded back on. We had to take the deck off to get it on the trailer. So seems like a good time to sharpen the blades, weld the caster on, check bearings and replace the belt.

I know the hydrostatic transmissions can be a problem. The owners manual says the transmission isn't serviceable. However, it does appear to have a filter on each transmission and the expansion tank. I should be able to pull the filters to drain, replace them and refill via expansion tank with the vents pulled.

Anyone know what I should use for the hydraulic filters?

It does start hard cold and needs to run with choke for a while. The carb is a chinese amazon one and the original is long gone. I might see if the choke lever is bent, probably do a valve adjustment (unless it has hydraulic lash adjusters) and some plugs to try to get it to start better.