Grillo 107D - diff lock lever won't move - why?

CodeMonkey · Jun 30, 2019

If I am not mistaken, the red t-handle on the right hand handlebar is the differential lock?

It is always in the forward position. No matter how hard I pull on it, it will not move.

I have not taken it apart.

Am I doing something wrong? I have tried it with both engine running and not running.

Is there something wrong with the diff lock?

Transmission works well otherwise - wheels turn independently. I have to use the brakes a lot when I get stuck (I mow brush/grass a lot on rough terrain with lots of pot holes and trees and such).

TIA

plumberroy · Jun 30, 2019

If you follow the cable from the red lever to the housings it attaches to a lever on the transmission. Try to move that by hand. If it moves your control cable. Needs lubricated I spray lubricant down the cable housing a couple times a season. I have a Grillo g85d . It uses the same transmission housing the G107d just has one more gear and steering brakes. I just put mine away . I was out cultivating the garden

TnAndy · Jun 30, 2019

I have an 85D as well. Usually to get the differential to lock, I have to squeeze the right handle bar lever (mine doesn't have the red T handle, uses a lever like a motorcycle brake, on the handlebar) and engage the lock on the lever to hold it in.....the differential locks in AFTER a few rotations of the tires.....I picture it in my mind as some type of ball or pin that has to slip in a slot in the gear inside to make it drive both wheels, and it might take a couple of revolutions to get it to do so.

WHAT does the lever on the right handlebar do on your machine ?

CodeMonkey · Jun 30, 2019

I tried it again just now and the T-handle lever moves so when I mow again this week I will try it while running/moving.

Previously, when I tried it, the lever would not move at all no matter how hard I pulled on it.

The other levers on the right handlebar are the right and left brakes for the wheels. I would prefer that the left brake be on the left handlebar as sometimes I forget which is which.

TnAndy · Jun 30, 2019

Ah...mine doesn't have brakes.....

plumberroy · Jun 30, 2019

You still need to spray lubricant down the housing the cable rides in . My Gravely the steering brakes are on a handle above the main handlebars push it left for right brake and right for left brake.
TnAndy what year is your G85D? Mine is a 2012. Mine has the red t handle right side the lever on the right handlebar allows the handlebars to swivel

TnAndy · Jun 30, 2019

Seems like I bought it 2008 or there abouts....know I had before my 2011 heart bypass, because I was tilling the garden the morning I went in for the cath and they didn't let me go home

My swivel is another 'motorcycle brake' handle on the right, above the differential lock....sorta sticks out sideways.

CodeMonkey · Jun 30, 2019

There is a lever on my left handlebar that is horizontal that is the release for the swivel of the handlebars side to side. There are three position pin holes in a bracket on the transmission shaft housing that you can select from; right, left and center.

plumberroy · Jun 30, 2019

Yep I saw that when I was down at earthtools picking up my Grillo. I think if I were to get a G107 I would ask for the brake controls to be assembled on the right and left handlebars and the handlebar lever on the right like my g85d

CodeMonkey · Jul 3, 2019

So I tried it while mowing - it does work although it takes some revolutions before it locks. It does make a difference, but not really all that useful except in very particular situations and by the time it kicks in the tires have already dug in and the tractor is more stuck. What I really need are tracks.