JD X530 54" deck - mower will only raise on one side

[mark4708]

Hi Everyone.

I have an issue with my JD X530 54" deck, only one side will rise.

This started after I hit a rock, replaced the blades and noticed that ROD, part # M164280 was bent.
I also had to replace the lower raise handle - it snapped off.

So, after installing the new rod (one on each side, just to be safe) and leveling the deck I set off and did a test cut.. I noticed then that deck would not rise on the side where one of the new RODs was installed - the ROD had popped out of the plate.. I re-installed the ROD and the same thing happened again.
Because the ROD had popped out, the deck will not rise on that side.
If I just drive the tractor around without cutting and raise and lower the deck, there is no problem.
This only happens when I cut the grass, the ROD pops out.
As far as I can tell the ROD is installed identically on both sides of the deck.

I would really appreciate any help on this.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dutch445]

Welcome Mark!
have you verified that the lift arm on the bad side is actually moving while you
operate the lift function? parts 38 and 49 in the diagram are each side's lift
arm that's connected to the common pivot rockshaft. if you find that the
arms are both moving, then maybe something else is possibly still bent..ie the
lift arm itself.

 

[mark4708]

Hi there Dutch445.. thanks for replying.

Quick update, when traveling over uneven ground, both RODS become loose.

The lift arm is working on both sides - I can raise and lower the deck after re-installing the RODS.
The lift arms are not bent, I checked this with a straight piece of metal and spirit level.
Parts 38 and 49 are moving correctly.
If this helps, I used the snow blower all winter - this was after damaging the blades last summer, plus I also used the bent ROD in the winter.

I spoke to the dealer today, he suggested that he may have to weld the gap on 38 to be smaller so that the RODs (29) do not jump out.
This seems to be extreme.
Further more the X530 is a multi-terrain tractor, so an uneven surface or small bumps should not cause the RODs to jump out.
Finally, I used the tractor to cut the same areas of grass last summer. About 40 hours in total.
The tractor is only 14 moths old.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dutch445]

Mark
how much pressure are your gauge wheels taking while mowing?
if you are on very uneven ground, you may consider raising them up
higher so they aren't taking much pressure from the bumps. on smooth
lawns, typically we recommend having all the guage wheels 1/4-3/8" off the
ground (adjusted while on a hard surface). I can see how on very uneven bumpy ground those
wheels may be forcing the deck up often, and in some cases those lift rods go
with it and the head comes out of it's pocket.
instead of weld, maybe a simple hose clamp or zip tie could be put
around the top of the rod to keep it in place. the deck lift link (part 30) should
freely slide up and down that rod.

 

[mark4708]

Many thanks again Dutch445 for replying.

I have adjusted the gauge wheels from 1/4 - 1/2" and the lift RODs still pops out of it's socket.
Lift deck link (part 30) does slide freely up and down the RODs.. the deck can be raised and lowered.

Must admit I am at a loss here. I have contacted the dealer (waiting to here back now), he'll collect the X530 and take a look.
Really disappointed with the X530, spent all last summer cutting the same meadows.. now have a real issue with it.
Plus, it's only 14 months old.
Oh well,
Mark

 

[Dutch445]

Mark,
what height are you mowing the grass at?

 

[mark4708]

Dutch,

I just re-installed to rods again.
Lowered the deck
Using the level gauge (which you remove), located on the top of the cutting height adjuster .. I leveled the deck on level ground.
I then set the cutting hight to 2.5 (same setting when you level the deck)
The gauge wheels on the deck I set to just below 1/2" between the bottom of the wheels and the ground.

I then started cutting.. fine on totally flat ground.
Tried on an incline of say 10% a little uneven ground traversing horizontal across and the rod facing up the incline popped out.
I have this section of meadow countless times before having this problem.

Still at a loss,
Mark

 

[kgaren]

I too am having this exact same problem. I have tried adjusting to all different heights. I think this may have happened once last summer. This year it has happened 4 or 5 times. I was not the operator each of those times so I don't know exactly what caused it, although I suspect it happened on some uneven ground (although it is pretty flat where we mow. Did you ever get a resolution to this problem?

 

[kgaren]

After quite a time under the tractor, I think I solved the problem. In case anyone is interested, there are bolts with a spacer below the bolt head that sits up under the lifting bracket. I only had the bolt sitting there instead of both the bolt head and the spacer (which has a dome like shape in the bottom. Those two mate well into that brace. I will have to take pics later when I get a chance. Without the spacer the bolt can fall out of the brace in certain circumstances.