ZD28 Mower won't engage

Xplanner

New member

Equipment
ZD28 mower
Mar 22, 2015
3
0
0
Jacksonville, FL, USA
I stupidly allowed a friend to use my ZD 28 (2006-360 hours, self maintained). It came back missing a gauging wheel, but worse, the actuating lever for engaging the mower blades will not budge. I cleaned and lubed the linkage rods, but no-go. Before I call mobile service, any thoughts?
 

rentthis

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May 30, 2012
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summerville,sc
The first thing I would do is have my "friend" find the wheel so I could determine if he had mowed over it. If so, that might indicate internal damage. Losing that wheel is like losing a bread box. It would be so obvious, i would have to think that he didn't want me to see it.
 

85Hokie

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I stupidly allowed a friend to use my ZD 28 (2006-360 hours, self maintained). It came back missing a gauging wheel, but worse, the actuating lever for engaging the mower blades will not budge. I cleaned and lubed the linkage rods, but no-go. Before I call mobile service, any thoughts?

shoot your friend:eek: .......ok nOT the right answer:D But - I would ask wth happend!!!!

three things never to lend out ..........your chainsaw, your kubota or your wife......these are not necessarily in order!:D

Missing a gauge wheel? - you mean on the deck ? If that is the case - did he hit something or just bad luck and it (bolt) fall out?

I would think it would be in the linkage somewhere.
 

Xplanner

New member

Equipment
ZD28 mower
Mar 22, 2015
3
0
0
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Truth be known, it wasn't a friend I let use my mower, it was an in-law. Yeah...I know. Totally my fault, by marriage.

The wheel likely fell off after the factory-supplied lynch-pin popped off. How he didn't see it happen I have no clue. We haven't legalized pot here, but who knows? He bought me a new gauging wheel for a tidy sum. I bolted this one on and gave the lynch pin back my dealership parts guy.

Back to the blade actuator lever issue. I will back-track my simple diagnostics and lube all the obvious suspects before I go to hauling this beast to the shop. Thanks all.
 

skeets

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BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,548
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Still ask what happened and why he didn't tell you about it in the first place, second when you do your gona catch flack take it and tell him that he is paying to get it repaired,, weather he will or not is another matter,,,
And one more thing to add to the never to do lists,,, that sucks, you can choose your friends, but not family :mad: And never invite him to any cook outs!!!!
 

live_roll

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Equipment
M108 / BX 25 / RTV 900 / ZD331 / M7060 / B1200 Mx5100 Ford 1500
Dec 16, 2009
53
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6
Irricana Alberta
did you crawl underneath to see if the gauge wheel is caught up in the blades. jamming them so the mower won't engage? if he didn't return the gauge wheel with the machine.. it is pretty hard to lose one on a lawn..........

Cheers

Roger
 

Xplanner

New member

Equipment
ZD28 mower
Mar 22, 2015
3
0
0
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Yep. I changed out the blades, did lube maintenance on spindles. Checked for damage under the deck. Looked normal.

I am sure the missing wheel will show up soon, but I think he was mowing some pretty heavy cover, rather than a lawn.

Thanks.
 

kuboman

Member
Dec 6, 2009
725
6
16
Canada
Hmmm. Missing guage wheel and jammed lever. Are you sure the missing wheel is not jamming the mechanism some how? Maybe it got flipped up and is in the wrong place or right place depending on how you look at it to jam the lever.
 

kip

New member

Equipment
ZD326S, L2350, MX5200
Mar 23, 2015
2
0
0
USA
Same thing going on on my zd326s. I got it out and lubed it, changed oil etc. before doing my first mow of the season (N. Central Florida). Got that all done and went to mow but the PTO lever won't move from the off/locked position. I lifted the seat and disconnected the linkage so that I could attempt to turn the pto valve lever by hand. The pto valve lever would not turn. Of course, the mower wasn't running so there might be some other "safety" that prevents one from engaging the pto valve lever manually when the mower is off/seat lifted, etc...

This thread mentions a similar problem, the solution to which was a "PTO lever upgrade kit". I don't know 'bout that in my case as it doesn't seem to be a problem with the linkage...
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7559&highlight=zd326

-fixed-
I used WD40 on the indicated locations (image below). I let it sit overnight. This morning, I disconnected the linkage from the pto valve lever and used a hammer to lightly tap the lever to free it up. Once it was moving, I used pliers and more WD. It seems to be fine.



Hope this helps.

kip
All greased up and no place to mow!
 
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