zd 18 deck won't lower

100 td

Active member

Equipment
B21TLB (B21, TL421 & BT751) Toyota SDK4 T116 Bobcat
Aug 29, 2015
1,776
9
38
ɹǝpunuʍop
Perhaps the rod is bent or needs some adjustment to release/open the valve fully to allow it to lower.
 
Last edited:

100 td

Active member

Equipment
B21TLB (B21, TL421 & BT751) Toyota SDK4 T116 Bobcat
Aug 29, 2015
1,776
9
38
ɹǝpunuʍop
I'm guessing if you follow the lever you will end up at the valve, have a look at https://apps.kubotausa.com/illustrated-parts/ for your model. You may have a problem with the valve or hydraulics or a mechanical problem.
Is your deck free of rust/corrosion, if things are tight, the hydraulics will force and lift, but most likely it's only a one way hydraulic cylinder, so there will be no pressure to push down, the deck only falls by weight, so if everything is tight then that could also be holding it up.
However you said it goes down easier at low rpm, this may mean the hydraulics are holding it slightly.
 

skeeterhawk

New member

Equipment
zd18
Apr 24, 2018
9
0
0
China Spring, TX, 76633
update: drained some of the fluid down to a normal level with no change in performance. Also disconnected actuator from deck. When engine is started, actuator extends even though deck up/down handle is in the down position.
 

whitetiger

Moderator
Staff member

Equipment
Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
2,942
1,399
113
Kansas City, KS
Lube the slip joint or splines of the drive shaft to the deck with a spray lubricant. Spray with the deck down, then raise and lower a few times.
 

100 td

Active member

Equipment
B21TLB (B21, TL421 & BT751) Toyota SDK4 T116 Bobcat
Aug 29, 2015
1,776
9
38
ɹǝpunuʍop
When engine is started, actuator extends even though deck up/down handle is in the down position.
Personally I'd pull the valve out and inspect for correct rotation/full movement, crap in it, or broken arm guide or similar. YMMV.
 

skeeterhawk

New member

Equipment
zd18
Apr 24, 2018
9
0
0
China Spring, TX, 76633
Personally I'd pull the valve out and inspect for correct rotation/full movement, crap in it, or broken arm guide or similar. YMMV.
Took it apart inspected and reassembled. Everything looked extremely clean and intact. Did not see any red flags. The problem still exists. Any ideas to what I should look at next?
 

cbburge

New member

Equipment
M105SHDC, L5740HSTC, M4900F, ZD25, GF1800E, RTV400
Apr 14, 2020
2
0
1
Carriere, Ms
Took it apart inspected and reassembled. Everything looked extremely clean and intact. Did not see any red flags. The problem still exists. Any ideas to what I should look at next?
Mine is doing the same thing. I changed the valve out with a used one and it still won't work.