Deere Z335E - Deck Won't Raise

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pr0ject

Member
Recently, the deck on my 335E ZTR has collapsed and won't raise. I'm assuming something is up with the lift cables, but I'm unclear how to test this. When I look under the mower and work the lift handle, it pulls and releases a spring that is connected to a rod, but the rid isn't connected to anything else, so I have no idea what it SHOULD look like. Can someone with a working Z335E deck clue me in as to what I should be looking for or how to diagnose this? TIA.
 
At the end of lift with the spring should cables with eye ends. Normally they are attached by either a pin and retaining Rue ring or by a shoulder bolt and nut. It depends the serial number as which used.

I suspect this what is missing.
 
pr0ject said:
Recently, the deck on my 335E ZTR has collapsed and won't raise. I'm assuming something is up with the lift cables, but I'm unclear how to test this. When I look under the mower and work the lift handle, it pulls and releases a spring that is connected to a rod, but the rid isn't connected to anything else, so I have no idea what it SHOULD look like. Can someone with a working Z335E deck clue me in as to what I should be looking for or how to diagnose this? TIA.
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Another stupid design by John Deere. I have replaced two of them on these zero turns before. 3-4 hours labor plus the deck lift cable part. Take it to a shop unless you want to tackle it yourself.
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
Another stupid design by John Deere. I have replaced two of them on these zero turns before. 3-4 hours labor plus the deck lift cable part. Take it to a shop unless you want to tackle it yourself.
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I wish I could. Since United Ag and Turf decided to relocate out in McKinney, it's a bit of a slog. I've had to replace the entire wiring harness and ignition coils twice on this thing already. I'm getting pretty decent at cursing Deere's name lately. This is just one more BS thing to have to worry about. I wish there was a way to verify how the deck is SUPPOSED to work (moving parts and what not), so I could troubleshoot. All the videos out there are of replacing the lift cables, but none show how the mechanism is supposed to work.
 
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Quite simple. Both ends of the cable housing are solidly mounted on frame. As you pull the lift arm up it pulls the inside cable which lifts the deck.

As for service about any independent shop can work on it, just can't do warranty work. It came into my shop it might take me a little longer the first time. Replacing this cable is not in the service manual.
 
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StarTech said:
Quite simple. Both ends of the cable housing are solidly mounted on frame. As you pull the lift arm up it pulls the inside cable which lifts the deck.

As for service about any independent shop can work on it, just can't do warranty work. It came into my shop it might take me a little longer the first time. Replacing this cable is not in the service manual.
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Yep. this is how the deck lift operates. There are YouTube videos specifically on removing and replacing the deck lift cable. That is how I figured it out, by watching YouTube. Watching YouTube is how I learned about many small engine and machine repairs.
 
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