John Deere GT235 Pedal Return/Centering

[Blackjack111]

I recently purchased an old (800 hrs) GT235. The forward and reverse pedals do not return to the "up" position quickly (if at all) after being depressed. The lawn tractor moves forward and reverse fine and strong when the pedals are depressed in that direction..it's just that it doesn't respond quickly when you take your foot off that pedal, and the pedal(s) SLOWLY return to neutral...or if I push the other pedal...it can be retarded to neutral setting.
I have applied PB blaster to all the linkages, and though it appears to easily move in the direction pressed...they do not return (pop back up) automatically like I would expect. (they do over time, but on other's I've used, it should be just about immediate.)

There doesn't seem to be a "centering spring" that I can find in the parts manual. I did find a "shock absorber" that is connected to the linkages...that might appear to serve this purpose. But before I purchased that item, I was hoping someone more familiar with the mechanics of that operation (recentering the pedals after being depressed) could comment.

The shock absorber is listed as part # 33 in the diagram. (Link)

Anyone have a similar experience with their John Deere lawn tractor, or if I'm mistaken about the function of that shock absorber, I'm all ears.

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r692/navion48/Shockabsorber_zps04c8e6df.gif

 

[Mrreck]

Hi Blackjack,

I was curious how this problem turned out. Just had a similar issue start with my GT235... I would appreciate any information you can share.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Blackjack111]

Hi Blackjack,

I was curious how this problem turned out. Just had a similar issue start with my GT235... I would appreciate any information you can share.

Thanks in advance...

After further investigation...I found that the actual footrest had cracked at the angle iron supporting it right where it attaches to the frame rail, which would allow the whole mechanism (footrest AND pedals) to depress when trying to actuate the fwd/reverse pedals. (It was a used mower a purchased....and some big Brutus fellow and his two brothers must have been using it to transport their family back from the deer stand).
I reattached the broken area, by attempting to reposition it to the correct spot and re-weld the broken bracket. The weld held great!...but I think the footrest was not exactly in the right spot, as the mower has great forward pedal action, but very little rearward action (it crawls in rearward direction). 99% of my mowing is forward, so I'm satisfied for now. Since the grass is growing, I don't have time to troubleshoot further, as it works for me. I hope there's an adjustment where I can normalize the movement (to influence the hyd pressure a little more to the reverse pedal, and perhaps less forward a smidgeon.)
But to answer your question...it was NOT the little shock absorber to return the pedals to full up...it was in fact, a cracked footrest pedal at the where the frame met the footrest assembly.

Blackjack111

 

[Mrreck]

Thanks Blackjack - mine does seem a little different. FYI - mine is also a used unit. Had a couple of weeks - hoping I don't have a total lemon. It was a good price and low (275) hours...

Here is what I found out so far...

While mowing in tall grass, The tractor stopped. Mower deck still running, no strange sounds or anything it just stopped. I quickly noticed the hydrostatic pedals had become very 'spongy' (press them down and when leaving off, they very slowly return to the original position).

I could work the pedals enough to get the tractor back to the barn. But it was strange - seemed like the normal hydrostatic 'whine', but if I pressed forward all the way to the floor, I got very little movement. Keeping the pedal lightly pressed - I got decent movement. And, if I pressed forward to the floor, then pulled it back to original position by hooking it with my foot, I got the tractor to go in reverse.

Had my wife get on the tractor and watched the fan and pulley (rear, above the transmission) while she drove forward. When pressing down full on the forward pedal, the fan (pulley and belt)stopped after a short distance (as did the tractor) and I could hear what seemed like a pulley wobbling/belt slipping noise as it stopped. Again, pushing the pedal partially down got slow but steady movement forward.

Thanks again for your input... Much appreciated!