4310 Mid-mount deck cannot be raised

[Tim640]

That or the knob is missing alltogether. I'm pretty sure that you problem lies in the height adjustment knob.

If this is controlling it, then it's set to minimum height.

I loosened it up, which left threads exposed outside the stop. The rod did not pull back to take up that slack I left there, so that looks fishy.

But I would think that TIGHTENING this knob (as in, screwing it onto the rod, to draw more of the rod past the knob stopper) would pull the deck UP (or limit its downward freedom)??? Do I have that right?

If that's the case, then something is out of kilter, since the lift mechanism seems locked in its max downward position.

 

[Tim640]

I just found this blurb in the manual regarding the Depth Rod:

1. Set mower cutting height.
2. Turn knob (A) to the right (clockwise) to tighten. This sets the depth stop.
3. Raise and lower the mower using third selective control valve lever. The weight of the mower will rest on the depth stop at selected cutting height.
4. Raise the mower temporarily to go over obstacles or when traveling to another cutting area. Lower the mower to selected cutting height and resume mowing.
5. To release the depth stop, raise the mower slightly using third selective control valve lever to remove pressure from the adjustable depth rod. Turn the knob (A) to the left (counterclockwise) to allow full movement of the mower.


So I don't think this is it, since the deck is at its very lowest position already.

I've got to figure out what's keeping the lift mechanism from, um, lifting.

 

[John_in_TN]

Try to determine why the rockshaft isn't coming down (the weight of the deck should pull it down when everything is adjusted correctly). It appears to be stuck in the full up position (when the cylinder is in the full forward position the up-stops on the deck should be nearly touching the tractor's belly - I think a 1/4" clearance is reccomended).

Also sounds like the rear lift links are adjusted too long (I am assuming the yoke at the front of the deck is installed? If that yoke is correctly installed and adjusted, and the two green guide links are correctly installed: then the rear lift links should raise the whole deck .

 

[Tim640]

Try to determine why the rockshaft isn't coming down (the weight of the deck should pull it down when everything is adjusted correctly). It appears to be stuck in the full up position (when the cylinder is in the full forward position the up-stops on the deck should be nearly touching the tractor's belly - I think a 1/4" clearance is reccomended).

Also sounds like the rear lift links are adjusted too long (I am assuming the yoke at the front of the deck is installed? If that yoke is correctly installed and adjusted, and the two green guide links are correctly installed: then the rear lift links should raise the whole deck .

Yeah, I get that part, but even with the deck off, the lift mechanism isn't doing anything at all. And the lift seems to be stuck in the full DOWN position, since when the deck is installed, the deck won't come off the ground. I get maybe 1/2" of lift at the rear of the deck, and that's it.

I want to make sure I understand what the cylinder is supposed to be doing, because it seems counter-intuitive.

1. When the rockshaft actuator control lever is pushed all the way down, the cylinder retracts, which means that the pin will end up at the BACK of the slot on the lift weldment. And this action should result in lowering the deck? (I guess that lift weldment should be pivoting around the pin that's coming in from the adjustment rod -- when the cylinder retracts, the lift weldment rotates clockwise (looking at it from left side of tractor), causing the lift arms which are connected to the lift links to DROP?

2. When I pull the actuator control lever up, the cylinder extends, resulting in the pin being pushed to the FRONT of the slot. This is supposed to RAISE the deck?? So, the lift weldment would rotate counter-clockwise, raising the lift arms? Do I have it right?

I've haven't seen what it does when it's working properly - if I had I'd probably get it.

 

[John_in_TN]

I think you are describing how the lift should work correctly.

I believe you are mistaken about which position it (the weldment/rockshaft) is stuck in - I believe it is actually in the full UP position.

There must be something wrong with the deck connections to the tractor: the lift links may be adjusted out too long or there could be a problem with the front mounting yoke (the metal loop that attaches the front of the deck to the tractor frame). With that yoke correctly setup and the two green side-link bars in place: lifting the rear of the deck should lift the entire deck.

The rockshaft will only move downward IF the weight of the deck is pulling it down. You might try using a prybar (I kept a 3 or 4 foot piece of 2x4 handy when I had a similar setup) and see if you can manually rotate the rockshaft to the DOWN position (pry at the rear end of the rockshaft arms, where the lift links attach - the arms should rotate downward untill the stop-rod or the end of the weldment slots stop them). The rockshaft could be frozen in the bearing blocks, but I suspect the problem is with the deck linkage because as I understand your description: the deck is already on the ground (so it isn't pulling the rockshaft down).

 

[Tim640]

John, thanks for hanging in there on this one.

You may be right about being stuck "up" and I was just considering heading out to try to pull the arms down, see if I got anywhere.

In poring over the manuals, I realize that, when I first started troubleshooting, the draft arm was connected to hole A in the draft arm support bracket (4210 fashion) rather than hole B. That could allow the deck to sag too much. I'll go out and reinstall the deck and see if that doesn't fix it.

"1. Draft supports have three holes for installing draft arm:
For 60-inch mower installation on 4200 and 4210 tractors, install draft arm in center hole (A).
For all other installations, install draft arm in front hole (B)."

 

[John_in_TN]

I think you probably found the problem. I had a different setup: a 4200 with the 72" deck, but using the correct side-link hole was critical on it.

 

[Tim640]

It finally stopped being soggy outside, and I stopped being too busy with my job to get out and have another go at the mower deck. I like working on the tractor better than working at the job, although the job pays better. :laughing:

It's fixed -- it was the position of both the draft arms AND the front yoke J-hook positions. The deck was attached to the tractor, front and back, as if it were a 4210.

So basically the lift arms were letting the mower deck sag too much, and moving the J-hooks to the rear holes on the front yoke bracket, and re-pinning the draft arms to the front holes, created more more lift on the deck.

I'm not impressed with how little lift there actually is - heck my X500 has more travel. And now I've got a front-to-back level problem and the adjustment collars on the front yoke are frozen solid (they're soaking in WD40 now). But it's working, basically.

John, as you pointed out, it was a stuck up deck. Thanks for your help - I guess I owe you a beer one of these days. :thumbsup:

 

[John_in_TN]

Glad you got it sorted out!
They don't lift real high, but you should be able to get several inches of clearance once everything is adjusted correctly. Take care!

 

[beenthere]

Glad to hear you tracked down the problem. Helps when you stick to it.

I hate a "stuck up" deck.