Trailman 0 #1 Posted July 24, 2009 Just signed up today. I was born and raised in South Bend but joined the Navy and left in 1959 ended up making it a career and ended up in South Carolina where I've been for the past 30 years. Have always admired Wheel Horse and recently bought a '81 GT-2500 Anniversary Edition which has a 12 HP Kohler engine on it. The tractor is not a "looker" and has been butchered up a bit but it starts, runs, and pulls great. I bought the tractor to pull my lawn sweeper, a wagon, and whatever and don't intend on restoring it nor using it for anything other than pulling stuff around my two acres. Someone had taken a torch to the tractor and cut the clutch engagement lever and so I unbolted the remaining parts and removed the lever. There was no clutch on it, just the pulley and disc attached to the engine. The stuff on the front had a torch taken to it also. Since I'm not going to use any implements on the tractor I would like to remove the big handle and shaft that's used to raise and lower the deck (which it doesn't have) and whatnot. I've got everything loose and it seems like the shaft should just slide out to the left side but it won't move even after beating on it with a brass hammer and bearing on the brass hammer with a large ball peen hammer. Am I missing something? I would really appreciate one of you knowledgeable guys giving me a bit of advice as to how to get the shaft and handle out. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,253 #2 Posted July 24, 2009 :ychain: ...x-navy guy myself (4 years)...wish I could help with the lift...actually, I am trying to figure out how to put one back in to my 502...mine has a bolt that goes through the shaft...I think an allen head screw and if I remember from looking at it yesterday, it is located between the rails of the frame. It slides through the piecs that is between the frame and holds the lift dew-hickys one of my favorate words. More knowledgable members will chime in. what did you do in the navy? I was a CT-T enjoyed the 4 years. 70-74. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #3 Posted July 24, 2009 Trailman, If you pulled both hitch pin clips (#14), the clip on the end of the lift shaft (#17), and the bolts from the latch bracket(#41), then it all should come out -- unless the shaft is rusted fast where it passes through the bellcrank. (inside of #19) There's a good possibility that it'll need heated. Maybe these two IPL's will help: (ignore the red oval - that was for another post ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHC-125 4 #4 Posted July 24, 2009 :thumbs2: Trailman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trailman 0 #5 Posted July 24, 2009 Thanks TT. I had already done all that you suggested except for applying the heat. My bell crank is a bit different than the one pictured but it slides freely on the shaft. I'm assuming that I should apply the heat to the shaft in the area where it passes through the bearings? Does a MAP gas torch have the required heat or would I need an oyy-acetylene rig? :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #7 Posted July 25, 2009 :ROTF: , Trailman! If the bell crank is free on the shaft, then my next question would be is the shaft turning inside Part #16 (the one opposite the handle), or is Part #16 turning with the shaft? Usually it's the bell crank that rusts itself onto the shaft..... If the bearing is turning with the shaft, you'll need to figure out a way to heat it and hold it while working the shaft free. I'd heat the bearing first and try it to see if it expands a little. If you heat the shaft first it will probably just make it tighter. Duff :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesRJ 558 #8 Posted July 25, 2009 :thumbs2: , sit back, enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 134 #9 Posted July 25, 2009 Trailman If you take the handle out you will be missing the opertunity to use a dozer/snow blade or a single bottum plow. You can do alot more then pulling stuff around with it that would'nt require the PTO. Just my thoughts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites