MId Mount mower deck stuck in the up position

[DQBX]

I have a BX 1500 and today went to drop the mower deck to sharpen the blades. I turned the height wheel to 0. Lowered the 3point. However the mower deck only moved a couple of inches. After fussing around I got the deck off the tractor.Not sure how I’m going to get it back on.

Looking at the 3 point mower deck actuator rod it appears to be moving freely. Under the tractor the cam that engages the height castle is free not hitting anything. The cross shaft rotates up and down but not fill range. The ends move about 1”-2” it should move a lot more. I tried a bunch of things including putting my full weight on the deck mounts.

Any thoughts on what to do here?

 

[dlsmith]

Did you somehow turn the height adjustment knob to the "Top" position?

 

[DQBX]

Did you somehow turn the height adjustment knob to the "Top" position?

No I checked, the pawl on the shaft is not touching the cam and is lined up with the deepest notch. I am contemplating dis assembly of the whole assembly. There are no grease zerks on the end of the shafts. I’m leaning towards corrrosion.

 

[jnschnit]

Is the 3pt moving up and down fully? If it is your probably looking at some kind of a bind in the linkage.

 

[DQBX]

Is the 3pt moving up and down fully? If it is your probably looking at some kind of a bind in the linkage.

I found the problem. The lift shaft on the right side of the tractor has rusted to the frame bushing.

 

[JimDeL]

I found the problem. The lift shaft on the right side of the tractor has rusted to the frame bushing.

Good to hear you found the problem.
So, a bit of Kroil to get it moving and some Fluid Film to keep it moving oughtta do it.

 

[DQBX]

Good to hear you found the problem.
So, a bit of Kroil to get it moving and some Fluid Film to keep it moving oughtta do it.

I soaked it overnight and no dice, rusted solid. Too bad it didn’t have zerks to grease to prevent. Looks like I’m replacing the shaft and bushings.

 

[JimDeL]

I soaked it overnight and no dice, rusted solid. Too bad it didn’t have zerks to grease to prevent. Looks like I’m replacing the shaft and bushings.

Did you leave the deck on over the winter? Did it get snow (and maybe salt) up in there, or what?

 

[DQBX]

Did you leave the deck on over the winter? Did it get snow (and maybe salt) up in there, or what?

It’s over 20 years old and has had the dec on it over the winter that entire time. It was bound to eventually have a problem. The part that has corroded stays on the tractor even if you take off the deck. It doesn’t really snow here a thus don’t use salt. It does rain a lot though.

 

[JimDeL]

It’s over 20 years old and has had the dec on it over the winter that entire time. It was bound to eventually have a problem. The part that has corroded stays on the tractor even if you take off the deck. It doesn’t really snow here a thus don’t use salt. It does rain a lot though.

Gotta ask now: If the deck has been on for over twenty years, has it ever been serviced? Gear oil changes, drive shaft U-joints and splines greased, etc. Surely you've had the deck off and on a number of times for that.

 

[DQBX]

Gotta ask now: If the deck has been on for over twenty years, has it ever been serviced? Gear oil changes, drive shaft U-joints and splines greased, etc. Surely you've had the deck off and on a number of times for that.

Sorry yes it is taken off once a year to service but otherwise it’s on 363 days per year for the las 20 years. This time it would not lower.

 

[Tony D]

Sorry yes it is taken off once a year to service but otherwise it’s on 363 days per year for the las 20 years. This time it would not lower.

Put some heat to it with a torch and spray lube in it while hot.

 

[DustyRusty]

Don't force it, get a bigger hammer!

 

[skrubol]

Were you ever able to free it up or did you end up replacing the bushing?
I've got what appears to be the exact same problem (never had a mower mounted, so the bracket hasn't needed to move at all in 20+ years.)
I've been putting penetrating oil on for days and heated both the bushing and the shaft to red hot (not at the same time,) and have gotten nowhere.
Seems like you'd need to halfway take the tractor apart to get that shaft out.

 

[skrubol]

Well, I just went ahead and mounted the mower with the hanger adjustments screwed all the way out (they were surprisingly free,) so that I could mow at a reasonable height without the lift working.
After taking off the backhoe and loader to do some mowing, I found that the deck wasn't in the same place I'd left it! Adjustment seems to work just as it should now!
I guess the weight of the deck bouncing around over rough ground and/or the 3-pt hydraulics put a lot more force than I was able to with a little hand sledge and a few inches to swing it.