LT155 w Freedom Deck problems - help?

[stevonnj]

New to this site ... looking for some help and hope to contribute as well! I have a 9 yr old LT155 with 42" freedom deck. On a recent cutting, the Y bracket that holds the deck to the front axle came loose and fell off. I was able to re-install it, but now my crank handle lifting mechanism doesn't work. Seems like I lost all spring tension. The parts breakdown drawing is a bit overwhelming ... I was hoping for a more simplistic diagram showing how the mechanism works to raise and lower my cutting deck. This way I can determine if I either lost a part (or parts) or there's something I am not seeing at first glance.

Further, does anyone have a slick setup on how to raise the tractor to gain full access to the underside? Thanks for helping out a newbie!! I hope to return the favor! :thumbsup:

 

[maybar]

New to this site ... looking for some help and hope to contribute as well! I have a 9 yr old LT155 with 42" freedom deck. On a recent cutting, the Y bracket that holds the deck to the front axle came loose and fell off. I was able to re-install it, but now my crank handle lifting mechanism doesn't work. Seems like I lost all spring tension. The parts breakdown drawing is a bit overwhelming ... I was hoping for a more simplistic diagram showing how the mechanism works to raise and lower my cutting deck. This way I can determine if I either lost a part (or parts) or there's something I am not seeing at first glance.

Further, does anyone have a slick setup on how to raise the tractor to gain full access to the underside? Thanks for helping out a newbie!! I hope to return the favor! :thumbsup:

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I can't help with the deck problem but I can show you how to put a tractor up at a convenient working height.

After it is loaded in the pickup the rest is a snap. And of course when finished reverse the procedure and the saw horses and pickup can go back to their normal duties without having some ugly piece of equipment setting in the way the remainder of your life. Or until the wife sells it at a garage sale for 10 cents on the dollar or less.:laughing:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/images/smilies/new/laughing.gif

 

[rayikeo2]

That is an accident waiting to happen. I can only guess as to the extent of damage this will cause when a 500 pound tractor falls off the 2 flimsy sawhorses. I hope the operator is not on or under the machine when it happens.:confused2:

 

[maybar]

That is an accident waiting to happen. I can only guess as to the extent of damage this will cause when a 500 pound tractor falls off the 2 flimsy sawhorses. I hope the operator is not on or under the machine when it happens.:confused2:

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Since I'm a safety expert I don't worry about it falling off sawhorses that have the correct structure and I do have the grand kids back up a few steps when engaging the PTO to see how things are doing underneath.

 

[rayikeo2]

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Since I'm a safety expert I don't worry about it falling off sawhorses that have the correct structure and I do have the grand kids back up a few steps when engaging the PTO to see how things are doing underneath.

Surely,you are not running the mower with the PTO engaged while it is on two flimsy sawhorses. Let us know when you get released from the hospital. I can not believe you are doing this as a "Safty Expert", surely you jest. The pictures shown do not substantiate sawhorses capable of supporting 500 pounds. Sorry, thats my opinion.:confused2:

 

[maybar]

Surely,you are not running the mower with the PTO engaged while it is on two flimsy sawhorses. Let us know when you get released from the hospital. I can not believe you are doing this as a "Safty Expert", surely you jest. The pictures shown do not substantiate sawhorses capable of supporting 500 pounds. Sorry, thats my opinion.:confused2:

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The horses have been tested to 200 lbs. each and less than half the weight of that little light Deere is on the rear. Thanks for your concern but don't worry as it would be difficult to push that off the horses and we'll be OK.

 

[rayikeo2]

Disclaimer: Don't try this at home.I have a question, how do you get the mower onto the sawhorses? Do you drive it on adding 200 lbs to the total weight or do you take it out of gear and push/pull it on? Then how do you get the gap under the mower deck? I am sure if someone wants to try thiis they will need more information.

 

[maybar]

Disclaimer: Don't try this at home.I have a question, how do you get the mower onto the sawhorses? Do you drive it on adding 200 lbs to the total weight or do you take it out of gear and push/pull it on? Then how do you get the gap under the mower deck? I am sure if someone wants to try thiis they will need more information.

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Disclaimer: Don't try this at home. Convince your neighbor to try it first at his place with his tractor.:laughing:

Place the saw horses against the tailgate. Pull the tractor back on to the horses. Set the tractor brake/chock a rear wheel. Measure the distance from the center line of a tractor front wheel to a point you would like the front wheel center line to be on the tailgate. I measure with a stick having a notch cut in it with my trusty pocket knife and it stays in the pickup bed. Don't trust tape measures. They make one remember numbers and screw you all up.

Place a wheel chock in front of a pickup wheel. Left rear works for me. Using that stick with the notch measurement, move the pickup wheel chock forward that distance O.C. Drive the pickup forward until the chock stops the vehicle. Now the neighbor can get out and get to work the fun is over.
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I failed to mention. If you look just in front of the tractor front wheel there is a small piece of 1/4" plywood laying across the bed to tailgate gap. Or it could be a couple thicknesses of cardboard box, don't remember for sure. Anyway, one for each front wheel makes the front wheel transition across that space a bit smoother.

 

[stevonnj]

Maybar,

Thanks for taking the time to show me your setup. Does look a bit scary tho! Does anyone have experience with a MoJack? A bit pricey at $269, but it does look pretty safe (unless you fire up and engage your PTO :laughing. But a few less trips to my local repair center would make it pay for itself in a year or two.

I have the long-handled deck lift, and it has no spring tension ... meaning it does not lower my cutting deck. Can anyone take a few pix of their linkage (from underneath of course) since I'm having a tough time putting it together with the available drawings online. Also, can the long handle be changed to the more favorable foot pedal? Seems like everything is the same from the linkage down!

Thanks, guys (and gals) :thumbsup:

 

[maybar]

Maybar,

Thanks for taking the time to show me your setup. Does look a bit scary tho! Does anyone have experience with a MoJack? A bit pricey at $269, but it does look pretty safe (unless you fire up and engage your PTO :laughing. But a few less trips to my local repair center would make it pay for itself in a year or two.

I have the long-handled deck lift, and it has no spring tension ... meaning it does not lower my cutting deck. Can anyone take a few pix of their linkage (from underneath of course) since I'm having a tough time putting it together with the available drawings online. Also, can the long handle be changed to the more favorable foot pedal? Seems like everything is the same from the linkage down!

Thanks, guys (and gals) :thumbsup:

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It looks as if your grass may get long before you find an answer. Sorry I can't help with your real problem. How long is it until first frost in your area.

BTW, that set-up isn't scary to an old man that retired from the natural gas compression industry and is alive to tell about it.