Posted: 5 October 2025
ZF360 Replacement – Upgrade to the Modern ZF500
Lancing Marine can now supply the ZF500 gearbox – it is the same physical size and footprint as the ZF360, which is now out of production.
This makes the ZF500 a true drop-in replacement for vessels currently fitted with the older ZF360, offering modern performance, full OEM support, and worldwide service coverage.
Figure 1 – ZF 360 marine gearbox (now obsolete)
While the ZF360 served reliably for decades, new production is no longer available.
Replacement units can still be made from remaining case stock, but this is an expensive and limited option.
The ZF500 provides a much better long-term solution — it fits directly in place of the ZF360 and is fully supported by ZF Marine’s current production line.
Many operators are now discovering that sourcing service parts for the ZF360 is increasingly difficult. Internal components such as clutch packs, bearings, and valve blocks are no longer stocked at factory level. The ZF500 resolves this long-term support issue, offering immediate availability and compatibility with the latest ZF diagnostic and control systems.
For vessel owners planning refits, re-engining projects, or long-term fleet standardisation, the ZF500 is the logical successor in the same mounting class.
Figure 2 – ZF 500 modern replacement gearbox
Why Upgrade to the ZF500?
The ZF500 gearbox offers a combination of modern design and direct compatibility. Built to ISO 9001 and AQAP standards, it features a lightweight seawater-resistant aluminium housing, case-hardened precision-ground gears, and Supershift² clutch technology for smoother, faster engagement. Heavy-duty thrust bearings handle full propeller thrust both ahead and astern, providing long-term durability in demanding applications.
This makes the gearbox suitable for both conventional shaft-driven craft
and waterjet propulsion systems where thrust reversal and prolonged
low-speed operation can place high loads on the transmission.
Technical Comparison
The ZF500 integrates with modern ZF electronic controls such as SmartCommand, MiniCommand, and CruiseCommand.
When combined with ZF’s AutoTroll and Joystick Maneuvering Systems (JMS),
operators benefit from improved low-speed control and docking precision.
| Specification | ZF360 (Legacy) | ZF500 (Modern) |
| Mounting Width (B1/B2) | 290 mm | 290 mm |
| Shaft Height (H1) | 170 mm | 167 mm |
| Output Flange (PCD) | 205 mm, 10 × 18 mm bolts | 205 mm, 10 × 18 mm bolts |
| Approx. Weight | 180 kg | 185 kg |
| Oil Capacity | 9–10 L | 9 L |
| Status | Out of Production | In Production & Supported |
Table 1 – Dimensional and service comparison between ZF360 and ZF500 marine gearboxes
Description
- Reverse reduction marine transmission with hydraulically actuated multi-disc clutches
- Suitable for high-performance applications in luxury motoryachts, sport fishers, express cruisers, and light-duty commercial vessels
- Compatible with all engine and propulsion types, including waterjets and surface-piercing propellers
- Fully works-tested, reliable, and simple to install
- Design, manufacture, and quality control comply with ISO 9001 and AQAP
- Robust design withstands continuous duty in workboat applications
Features
Beyond its mechanical advantages, the ZF500 benefits from comprehensive
lifecycle support — something no longer available for the legacy ZF360
gearbox.
- Supershift² clutch technology for fast, smooth gear engagement
- Lightweight yet strong aluminium alloy casing (seawater resistant) with integrated SAE 1 bell housing
- Case-hardened and precisely ground gear teeth for long life and quiet operation
- Output thrust bearing engineered to absorb full propeller thrust in both directions
- Smooth, reliable hydraulic shifting with provision for push–pull cable or alternative control systems
- Suitable for twin-engine installations (same ratio and torque capacity, enginewise or counter-enginewise)
Global Support Network
ZF Marine’s worldwide service infrastructure includes over 230 locations across 40 countries,
ensuring global availability of parts, technical assistance, and warranty support.
The ZF500 is part of the company’s current product range and benefits from ZF’s ongoing R&D investment —
around 6% of annual sales — focusing on efficiency, durability, and acoustic refinement.
With the maritime industry moving toward hybridisation and advanced
monitoring, the ZF500 ensures that today’s mechanical installations
remain compatible with tomorrow’s digital systems. It’s a genuine
long-term investment in reliability and technology readiness.
In most cases, the ZF500 can be installed directly in place of the ZF360 with no hull, shaft, or coupling modifications.
Existing oil and control line positions are typically retained.
Lancing Marine can supply full technical drawings to confirm compatibility.
Commercial Operators – Swing Unit Recommendation
For commercial vessels, minimising downtime is essential.
Lancing Marine recommends that operators carry a swing unit — a fully prepared spare gearbox that can be installed quickly if maintenance or repair is required.
This allows the vessel to continue operating while the original gearbox is serviced, greatly reducing disruption and cost.
Future-Proof Propulsion
The ZF500 is part of ZF’s Smart Propulsion range, designed for future integration with hybrid and digitally monitored driveline systems.
It provides a reliable, ready platform for operators who want a gearbox that will remain compatible with evolving marine propulsion technologies.
Contact Lancing Marine
Our engineering team can provide pre-installation advice, CAD mounting
data, and confirm propeller compatibility. We also maintain close
contact with ZF Friedrichshafen and UK service partners, ensuring
up-to-date information and rapid parts supply. Lancing Marine has extensive experience supplying and installing ZF gearboxes, including ZF360 to ZF500 conversions.
We can confirm compatibility, provide installation advice, and assist with swing unit planning.
Contact us at Data@Lancingmarine.com
ZF 360 Data Sheet – Legacy gearbox (out of production).
ZF 500 Data Sheet – Modern drop-in replacement.
View ZF500 Gearbox Prices
ZF 500 Gearbox – Full Specification and Options
Available ratios for the ZF 500 series are shown below. Each configuration represents a complete, factory-built transmission ready for installation, including SAE 1 bell housing and Supershift² clutch system.
Gearboxes are available with mechanical actuation or electrical 12/24V actuation.
Basic Configuration
| Description | Ratio | P/N |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 0.925:1* | 3216002101 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.000:1* | 3216002102 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.125:1 | 3216002103 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.237:1* | 3216002104 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.500:1 | 3216002105 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.774:1* | 3216002106 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 1.966:1 | 3216002107 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 2.185:1* | 3216002108 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 2.480:1* | 3216002109 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 2.625:1* | 3216002110 |
| ZF 500 SuperShift 2 (SAE 1 bell housing included in the basic unit) | 2.917:1* | 3216002111 |
| Mechanical Actuator MB 30-1 |
| 3217108018 |
| Electrical Actuator EB 31 |
| 3217108062 |
| KIT Electric Valves 24 V ON/OFF |
| 3217199031 |
| KIT Electric Valves 12 V ON/OFF |
| 3217199032 |
Table 2 – ZF 500 Basic Unit ratios and actuator options.
Additional Accessories
A complete range of accessories is available for the ZF 500 series to suit different installation requirements. These include oil cooling packages, rigid or resilient mounting brackets, shaft flanges, trolling kits, and monitoring systems for commercial and classed vessels.
| Description | P/N |
| SAE 1–SAE 0 Adapter Kit (14″ Couplings) | 3217116001 |
| SAE 1–SAE 0 Adapter Kit (18″ Couplings) | 3217116012 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota) | 3216107020 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota Special) | 3216107022 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota – USA Market) | 3216107024 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota) / for Clutchable PTOs | 3216107021 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota Special) / for Clutchable PTOs | 3216107023 |
| Oil Cooler ZF 360 / ZF 500 (Mota – USA Market) / for Clutchable PTOs | 3216107025 |
| Rigid Brackets | 3215118004 |
| Rigid Brackets for ZF360 PL-A / ZF500 PL-A / ZF510-1 A (special type) | 3218118001 |
| Resilient Brackets | 3215118005 |
| Prop Shaft Companion Flange (bolts incl.) | 3226199032 |
| Prop Shaft Companion Flange ZF500 & ZF510 (SmartCommand kit version) | 3226104011 |
| Bolt Set for Companion Flange (sold separately) | 3226199501 |
| Bolt Set for Companion Flange ZF500 & ZF510 (SmartCommand kit version) | 3226104012 |
| Electric Trolling Kit (for MB/EB 15-2, MB 30-1 & EB31) | 3217093015 |
| Mechanical Trolling Kit (for MB/EB 15-2, MB 30-1 & EB31) | 3217093014 |
| NPTF Kit (w/out oil cooler) ZF 312–325–350–550 families | 3214199037 |
| Pressure Switch (26 bar) for EB-31 | 3218110002 |
| Press. Sensor + Switch + Temp Switch for MB-30-1 (ZF 350-550-665) | 3217110057 |
| Press. Sensor + Switch + Temp Sensor PT1000 for MB-30-1 (ZF 350-550-665) | 3217110059 |
| Press. Sensor + Switch + Temp Switch for EB-31 (ZF 350-550-665) | 3217110061 |
| Press. Sensor + Switch + Temp Sensor PT1000 for EB-31 (ZF 350-550-665) | 3217110062 |
| MTU Monitoring Kit ZF 500 IV | 3216110005 |
| Monitoring Adapter Kit for MB30 | 3217110009 |
| Monitoring Adapter Kit for EB31 | 3217110063 |
| Monitoring Kit w/ Pressure & Temp – EB-31 | 3217199053 |
| Monitoring Kit w/ Pressure & Temp – MB-30 | 3217199054 |
| Monitoring Adapter Kit for MAN ZF 325 to ZF665 and EB-31 (M14) | 3217110071 |
| Kit Monitoring for MB30-1 (for classification ZF360/500/510 PL/A) | 3216110017 |
| Kit Monitoring for EB31 (for classification ZF360/500/510 PL/A) | 3216110019 |
| Backup Pump (for classification ZF500 PL/A/IV & ZF510-1A & ZF550 PL,A & ZF665 PL,A) | 3217306003 |
| SmartCommand Kit (must add EL. Trolling Valve Kit) | 3216199053 |
Table 3 – Additional accessories and monitoring options for ZF 500 gearboxes.
PTO Kit
The ZF 500 is a high-performance marine transmission rated for continuous duty, available with multiple PTO configurations for auxiliary drives, hydraulic pumps and electrical systems. All units are factory-tested and supplied with matching mounting hardware and control options.
| Description | P/N |
| Live PTO – SAE J744 B Pad | 3216093001 |
| Live PTO – SAE J744 C Pad | 3216093002 |
| Clutchable PTO – Pulley Application (not for V version) °° | 3216093005 |
| Clutchable PTO – SAE J744 B Pad °° | 3216093003 |
| Clutchable PTO – SAE J744 C Pad °° | 3216093004 |
| Pump for Clutchable PTO ZF 500 | 3216199007 |
| Mechanical Control for PTO | 3217193007 |
| Electrical Control for PTO | 3217193006 |
| Kit Electric Valves 24 V ON/OFF | 3217193003 |
| Kit Electric Valves 12 V ON/OFF | 3217193004 |
Table 4 – PTO and control system options for ZF 500 gearboxes.
Elastic Coupling (Vulkan)
Centa and Vulcan couplings are available in both SAE 0 and 1 sizes.
| Description | P/N |
| Vulkan Vulastik-L 3012 – 14″ | 3080116039 |
| Vulkan Vulastik-L 3011 – 14″ | 3080116040 |
| Vulkan Vulastik-L 3011 S – 14″ | 3217116006 |
| Vulkan Vulastik-L 3013 – 14″ | 3226116002 |
| Vulkan Vulkardan-E 4911 S – 18″ °° | 3217116007 |
Table 5 – Elastic coupling options for ZF 500 installations (°° special order items).
Note: °° Items may require extended lead time.