mikeeyre74 289 #1 Posted May 23, 2015 I was mowing the lawn yesterday, and noticed something peculiar. I noticed that when I pulled the deck lift lever up to bring the deck up off the ground, the control column (where all the controls area, including dashboard and steering wheel and the upright portion where the voltage regulator goes too..) twisted forward with the left side of the column leaning forward towards the front of the tractor, while the right hand side stayed put. As a result, this twist buckled the hood a bit too. Looking at it closer, it seems like there's not much to support all of this weight (I frighten to think what pulling up the load of my snow blower is going to be like!) for this area... There's a couple of 3/8ths bolts near the bottom, and one bolt on the right hand side inside the column area that I can see from the rear of the tractor looking forward underneath the seat… But that's it. Am I missing something critical in this machine? I am not the original owner but a longshot. I'll attach a photo showing the gap between the column and the center section of the tractor right in front of the seat that I'm referring to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,636 #2 Posted May 23, 2015 Where your figer is pointing there is a tab going forward into a slot.That tab is spot weld or was to the vertical portion of the stand.You could just push it back together and put in a bolt and nut drilled through the center of the tab.Getting it welded up would be better but would most likely involve stripping the stand off of the tractor.If you keep using it like it is the spot weld on the PTO side will most likely fail at some point.Luck,JAinVA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,297 #3 Posted May 23, 2015 I think that putting a bolt through it may prove difficult to operate the lift handle, as it passes over that area very close to the tower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #4 Posted May 24, 2015 If it twisted and broke the weld, it's possible you have a crack in your tranny to frame mount causing your frame to twist. That could have caused what your looking at. I would take the mower off and a rear wheel and have a look unter the tractor around the 4 bolts that secure the transmission to the frame. Clean the area up real well and look at it with a flash light for cracks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeeyre74 289 #5 Posted May 24, 2015 Thanks for this input, guys. All good stuff. I had no idea that was a welded connection there.. I'll get that zipped back up properly soon. I'll also dig in and check for any cracks like mentioned as well, but it looks like it simply popped off the weld due to me yanking on the handle so much lately while trying to adjust the deck that I just got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
