Help!

[Johndeere3720]

Yesterday, I was using my L118 lawn tractor to mow the neighbors huge yard. I had no problems until I was half way done. Then the steering got loose and you weould have to turn it really fast either way until it wasstiff and hard to turn. About 20 minutes later it was fine then acted up again a few minutes later. When I finished, I looked under it and couldnt see anything since the mower deck and muffler were in the way. I started drining it home and had to cross a bridge where the tires barely fit in because there are no boads in the middle nor guard rails on the side. Then the mower really started to loose steering. I was so glad I made it across the bridge. Once I was across, I lost all steering. The steering w3heel only spun and it sounded like it wanted to grab but only slipped. I got off countless tomes to turn the wheel by hand. Then I pulled up on the steering wheel and got some steering back. I managed to get it back in the shed. What should I do? I think it is turned by a gear thatmust be held up by a bolt that must have come loose and dropped the gear to where it couldnt steer the tractor. Has anyone else had this problem? Oh, the tractor has 309 hours on it and has always been taken care of.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I don't know the 118 very well, but nearly all of these mowers have the steering mechanism under the battery. Pull the battery out and look at the steering column. Toward the bottom of the steering column, there should be a gear.

Your comment about "pulling up on the steering wheel" makes me wonder if your column is somehow loose, and it slips down far enough that it won't engage the steering cog. Start taking stuf apart and post back with what you see.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Thanks for the advice. Ill try that tonight. I ask again though, has anyone else had this problem?

 

[atschirner]

I'm guessing that the lock nut at the bottom of the steering shaft is loose or missing. Please let us know what you find.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Well, I fixed it. The gear was never loose, it was just really wore out as well as the 1/4 gear that moves the tires left and right. When I pulled up on the steering columb, it pulled the unwore out part of the gear to grab. Now I got a new gear and 1/4 gear costing $75.00. Luckly, my mom payed for it since I got it to mow her yard. I will try to get a picture of the wore out gears. Now I can mow again!

 

[BloodyBandage]

hehe looking forward to seeing how worn out it was

 

[ampsucker]

my question is why is the gear so worn out after only 300 hours? i have a similar model with 550 hours and the gear is worn but still very usable.

have you ever lubed those gears? do you have a very sandy ground that kicks up into the gears?

inquiring minds want to know!

i find power washing them and putting fresh spray lube into the area is a good practice....

amp