jellyghost 378 #1 Posted April 9, 2020 I have been having a problem raising my mower deck and my plow. I can raise it by pulling the lever back, but the lever will not lock/snap in the upright position. I looked it over and couldn't find anything wrong. I didn't take anything apart or discover how it is supposed to work. Can someone point me in the right direction? Aside: I would like to express how much I appreciate this forum. I just joined the Practical Machinist forum and got roasted. If the internet is the wild west, that's a town where they shoot first and ask questions later. This is a town I would like to live in. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalez 139 #2 Posted April 9, 2020 The only i can think of is your linkage is too tight and the implement is bottoming out on the frame. Will it latch with nothing hooked up? 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,175 #3 Posted April 9, 2020 Does the button on top operate freely? I would lube it generously... Is the black adjustment knob set correctly? Try backing it off or advancing it and see if that helps... As noted above, try this with no implement attached... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #4 Posted April 9, 2020 Like SylvanLakeWH said,lube it gererously.I had a 312-8 that lived outdoors for a long time and the lift lever button would not lock.I left a can of PB Blaster on the hood and every day when I walked past it,I gave it a shot down the handle where the button goes.Freed up after a while.Penetrating oil is your friend. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,227 #5 Posted April 9, 2020 I have a 656 that does this too. I think the latch on the side might be snapped but I have a spare I’d like to try on it. I agree with the others to try without anything connected first to eliminate that possibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,147 #6 Posted April 9, 2020 1 hour ago, pullstart said: I have a 656 that does this too. I think the latch on the side might be snapped but I have a spare I’d like to try on it. I agree with the others to try without anything connected first to eliminate that possibility. It's all inside on a 312. Well as I remember two bolt behind the side cover takes the hole lift lever out. Having the lift chain hooked up too short will prevent it from locking up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,227 #7 Posted April 9, 2020 Lee I didn’t see where it’s mentioned what tractor we’re working on... but good point! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jellyghost 378 #8 Posted April 10, 2020 Thankyou guys! this is a 10hp c series from 1978. I am going to kick it around later today. I will update on my findings. Does anyone have a parts sketch that would show me how it is supposed to lock in place? I imagining something spring loaded and snaps into a notch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jellyghost 378 #9 Posted April 10, 2020 I always put some downward pressure on the heigh adjustment knob while turning it. I just went out and lifted the height adjustment knob, and the threaded shaft pulled right up, but it didnt' go so far as to lift out. It appears it is not attached on the other end. I will take off the side panel tonight and see if there is an obvious fix. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jellyghost 378 #10 Posted April 11, 2020 Ok. It appears to be working correctly, and it was just a matter of working on the button. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,175 #11 Posted April 11, 2020 Glad it worked out! Keep the inside of the tube lubed good. It’ll save trouble down the road... Just dribble some oil down there every once in a awhile and pump the button up and down... you’ll be good to go... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
photoguy 160 #12 Posted April 11, 2020 I had the same problem and found the lift lever was bent a little right where the button return spring rides in the lever.Pushed (bent)the lever forward till the spring moved freely and it's been alright since.I don't use the two stage blower on that one any more. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites