Horsegeezer 7 #1 Posted June 21 Gave my 1986 416-8 to my son-in-law as he needed it to mow a lot more grass than we have since we sold the farm. Went over there to do the annual maintenance for him and discovered that the mower lift lever won't latch when it's raised and the button on the end is stuck -- cant' be depressed. Deck is attached but sitting on the ground, useless for mowing -- or even moving. Probably something simple, but I'm baffled. Tach-A-Matic, 42" side discharge. Thanx for any help! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,492 #2 Posted June 21 A look at the parts help? https://www.partstree.com/models/31-16k802-416-8-toro-garden-tractor-1986/manual-lift-linkage-17/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsegeezer 7 #3 Posted June 21 It can't hurt! Thank you. Back at it tomorrow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,280 #4 Posted June 21 @Horsegeezer another gold mine for functional detailing / lubrication , the lift handle , and all related , are probably loaded with rust . remove the shifter plate , and totally expose the related , dry bronze bushings , get some penetrating oil into the lift lever , like the 3-1 oil or aerosol version of that , once moving red grease aerosol , will ensure its movement . might even firm up sloppy connection areas , washers , etc , found that w/h linkage areas , really come to life with verification of function . another beauty in the related area , upper dash is the PTO sloppy lever set up , love doing those . work with ease , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,492 #5 Posted June 21 First thing I would do is get the grip off. That is best done by pushing it off if you have a wrench that will fit the metal tube. Heat the grip with a heat gun or hair drier to help. Tap the wrench up with a hammer and hopefully it will come off. Pushing it off causes the grip to expand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsegeezer 7 #6 Posted June 22 Great advice, and thank you! I will report back as to progress or lack thereof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsegeezer 7 #7 Posted June 22 Progress report: problem solved! It turned out to be unrelated to the lift mechanism. The mower deck didn't seem to raise high enough to engage the lift lever latch. Seems that when son-in-law was mowing, the cotter pin securing the leveling rod to the frame broke and the deck plummeted to the ground. He replaced the pin and that's when the trouble started. Long story short, we took the deck off the tractor and found the fall had misaligned the fore and aft rails from the deck to the frame. Got that sorted out, scraped the deck, sharpened the blades, greased the spindles, reinstalled the deck and all good now. So now maybe I can finally finish the routine maintenance I originally set out to do... Thanx again! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsegeezer 7 #8 Posted July 13 Update: See above "progress report" posting. After I thought we had solved the problem it became clear that we hadn't after all. It seems the operator's manual installation photo for the 42" side-discharge deck is wrong. It shows the leveling rod attached to the right (brake pedal) side of the frame rail. That will raise the deck cockeyed and prevent it from raising high enough to latch. Reversing the rod to the other side fixed it, finally! Hope our hours of struggle in 90+ degree heat might help someone else with the same issue. Next project probably replacing the main drive belt; clutch pedal getting kind of high... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
