I managed to get my Deere 2305 (2010) stuck axle-deep in soft mud. Rocking back and forth, the transmission pedal stuck in forward position, so I cut the engine but then was trapped because nothing I did (lifting the forward pedal, pushing the reverse pedal, etc.) brought the pedal back to center, even though I could start the tractor with high-low gear lever in neutral position (so, I could choose between having the tractor in gear, or having the engine run). Next day (Monday) call to the dealer's best mechanic assured me nothing was likely broken on the inside of the transmission, and I probably just had some mud preventing the pedal return somewhere in the linkage. After considerable excavation and cleaning, I couldn't find the problem. Additional phone conversation with the mechanic told me how the linkage works: at the rear of the linkage is a stabilizer piston (a few inches long, about an inch diameter) that functions only to provide soft return of the pedals, kinda like the piston that holds up a car's hatchback. Epiphany. It turned out the piston was bent, and was stuck in the extended position. The strut proved ridiculously easy to remove (one cotter pin removed by hand, and the other attachment-point just slid outward off a pin. It looks like a perfectly sized and positioned stone (between rear wheel and stabilizer piston) must have mashed the outside of the piston. Tractor works fine without it, but I have a replacement on order (list price $216, ouch). Seems this is a rare event, maybe a first.
