NH 1725 hood won't open

[dingo983]

I am trying to do some preventative maintainence on my tractor but all of a sudden I cant open the hood. The latch moves back and forth but won't release the hood. Is there anyone with the same tractor that can open the hood and post a picture of the assembly, so I have a clue as to how to attack this issue. Thanks guys.

 

[RickB]

Remove the two 13MM flange nuts directly below the latch. The latch mount bolts hang straight down at the front edge of the battery support plate. When the nuts are off, you can raise the hood and the latch will come right up with it.

 

[dingo983]

I tried that. The nuts came halfway off then the bolts started spininng too. It looks like the head of the bolts are screw or allan heads, so I cant hold them still with needle nose pliers. Another 5 minute repair turning into a huge project....LOL.

 

[RickB]

They are carriage bolts. You need to use a screwdriver to hold the nut away from the battery support as the nut loosens; this will keep the carriage head engaged in the square hole in the latch assembly. And toss the socket in favor of a box-end wrench so you have a better idwea of what is going on. If the nuts are threading off the bolts even a little bit, you can get them off with a little patience.

Edit: Alternatively, tighten them back up and keep tightening them until the bolts twist off.

 

[dingo983]

Thanks. I will give that a shot this weekend. If I run out of patience, I will resort to a dremil tool and cutoff wheel.