Deck adjuster - 2011 Rider

M

mgw012

Forum Newbie
Need some input. The deck height on the left side won't stay up as the adjuster won't tighten down.

I have trouble working on things low to the ground due to multiple backs surgeries so I'm making an info gathering.post before I begin on this repair.

Does the adjustment gear have bolt threads internally in the center hole of the where the hex bolt goes in ? If not, is there a nut or something on the back side that I can't see that holds the bolt ? The hex bolt there now will not tighten up and I'm trying to figure out where the failure point is.

Maybe a silly question to some, but I'm guessing the threads are stripped in the gear ( if there are thread in it) and that's why the hex bolt won't tighten and stay locked down. Any help is appreciated.

Picture of the adjustment gear has been included for reference . Thanks.
 

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mgw012 said:
Need some input. The deck height on the left side won't stay up as the adjuster won't tighten down.

I have trouble working on things low to the ground due to multiple backs surgeries so I'm making an info gathering.post before I begin on this repair.

Does the adjustment gear have bolt threads internally in the center hole of the where the hex bolt goes in ? If not, is there a nut or something on the back side that I can't see that holds the bolt ? The hex bolt there now will not tighten up and I'm trying to figure out where the failure point is.

Maybe a silly question to some, but I'm guessing the threads are stripped in the gear ( if there are thread in it) and that's why the hex bolt won't tighten and stay locked down. Any help is appreciated.

Picture of the adjustment gear has been included for reference . Thanks.
Click to expand...
Adjustment nut is larger and rides on teeth making the deck go up and down. Other smaller nut locks deck height in place. If adjusting nut is stripped, simply loosen lock nut and raise or lower deck by hand.
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
Adjustment nut is larger and rides on teeth making the deck go up and down. Other smaller nut locks deck height in place. If adjusting nut is stripped, simply loosen lock nut and raise or lower deck by hand.
Click to expand...
Do you really work on mowers? IF you should know how MTD design deck height adjuster and how it works.

No threads the gear. It is in the adjuster bracket. Also the head the screw (bolt) is supposed to be a lock washer. Now the threads are truly stripped then as temporary fix would be to use a longer screw and add a nylon lock nut. Though some grinding of the area on the adjustment bracket may be needed.
1784970890129.png
 
Your photo helps tremendously. As I mentioned in my post, I couldn't see where & what said bolt was being screwed into so this answers my question nicely.

I am an electrician by trade,.so NO I rarely work on lawn mowers but since moving to this town I have had to start as there is not any repair shops here. Secondly, in all of my 60 years on this planet I have never had a MTD mower so of course I'm not familiar with them.

I DO know how the adjustment gear works.....but as I also explained previously, I'm very limited physically so I cannot do a lot of crawling around or laying on the ground to "investigate" hence why I asked where/what said gear bolt screws into. I did pull up the model specific parts diagram....but it didn't clearly show it.

I'm sorry that my post aggravated you as it's clear that you must work on MTDs daily, but I'm a novice. Apologies.

Again, thank you for your assistance. Much appreciated.
 
mgw012 said:
Your photo helps tremendously. As I mentioned in my post, I couldn't see where & what said bolt was being screwed into so this answers my question nicely.

I am an electrician by trade,.so NO I rarely work on lawn mowers but since moving to this town I have had to start as there is not any repair shops here. Secondly, in all of my 60 years on this planet I have never had a MTD mower so of course I'm not familiar with them.

I DO know how the adjustment gear works.....but as I also explained previously, I'm very limited physically so I cannot do a lot of crawling around or laying on the ground to "investigate" hence why I asked where/what said gear bolt screws into. I did pull up the model specific parts diagram....but it didn't clearly show it.

I'm sorry that my post aggravated you as it's clear that you must work on MTDs daily, but I'm a novice. Apologies.

Again, thank you for your assistance. Much appreciated.
Click to expand...
I did read fully your initial post so that is why I post the image of the part with the threads.

My comment was aim directly at Tiger, not at the OP as we must know what we are advising about; guessing doesn't help nor does AI's guessing at an answer.

No I don't work on MTD daily but several times every month during the mowing season. And have at the professional level since 2009. Currently I in the middle of two JD ZTRs with one have the transaxle rebuilt from a bearing failure. It is first time been that Tuff Torq version but at least the JD service cover the repair fairly well. So thing are a rather slow path but I about to seal it and install it. Boy the commercial customer will be happy to get his mower back.
 
StarTech said:
I did read fully your initial post so that is why I post the image of the part with the threads.

My comment was aim directly at Tiger, not at the OP as we must know what we are advising about; guessing doesn't help nor does AI's guessing at an answer.

No I don't work on MTD daily but several times every month during the mowing season. And have at the professional level since 2009. Currently I in the middle of two JD ZTRs with one have the transaxle rebuilt from a bearing failure. It is first time been that Tuff Torq version but at least the JD service cover the repair fairly well. So thing are a rather slow path but I about to seal it and install it. Boy the commercial customer will be happy to get his mower back.
Click to expand...
Hey brother, I do appreciate you and my bad for the misunderstanding. Gotta be this dang Oklahoma heat LOL.
I'm kinda figuring the frame mounted nut is likely striped out , and maybe the bolt threads as well so I'll likely end up having to drill it out. I'll just grab a new bolt and a locknut and lock washer.... along with some Lok-Tite and get'er done.

Thanks again, Sir.
 
StarTech said:
Do you really work on mowers? IF you should know how MTD design deck height adjuster and how it works.

No threads the gear. It is in the adjuster bracket. Also the head the screw (bolt) is supposed to be a lock washer. Now the threads are truly stripped then as temporary fix would be to use a longer screw and add a nylon lock nut. Though some grinding of the area on the adjustment bracket may be needed.
View attachment 74020
Click to expand...
Star Tech-
I have never worked on one mower in my life. Just lucky or unlucky, depending upon on you look at it.
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
Star Tech-
I have never worked on one mower in my life. Just lucky or unlucky, depending upon on you look at it.
Click to expand...

Then why are you suggesting things if you know nothing about them. Every week I learn something new about them.

Take this last week. First the JD Z915B came in running very crappy. Initial problem found was a very dirty carburetor, then no fuel from the fuel pump even from a stand alone tank. Replaced the fuel pump and still no fuel from the mower's tank. I found a pin hole in t he fuel line. After repairs it ran fine even mowed 4 ft grass. The customer comes by a week later and pickup the mower. The next morning he calls and say it is backfiring, well to me after fire out the exhaust. He had one of employees to drop off the mower and it was running fine when dropped off. 30 minutes later I crank it up to move it. Sure enough it pop as I switched the starter on, also popped on shutdown. It had developed a weak ignition coil firing during that short time or the kill circuit in the coil(s) wasn't completely shutting down the coil(s). Replace both coils as Kohler said replace both if they are a different part number. Moved an acre of wet grass then returned the mower with a bill for the coils.

Until this CV742 engine I never seen a carburetor with two electric solenoids.

He also said no one else has worked on the mower in the last few years but that was BS as I found several wrong screw holding on the engine shroud. Drill tip steel metal screws was in several places. And it wasn't me as I have the right screws here. I buy them in bulk.

BTW I have only repaired 2000+ mowers, engines, and a several types of equipment since 2009. Also spent 17 yrs prior repairing office equipment, forms handling, and financial equipment. From day to day I don't what new thing comes into the shop.
 
StarTech said:
Then why are you suggesting things if you know nothing about them. Every week I learn something new about them.

Take this last week. First the JD Z915B came in running very crappy. Initial problem found was a very dirty carburetor, then no fuel from the fuel pump even from a stand alone tank. Replaced the fuel pump and still no fuel from the mower's tank. I found a pin hole in t he fuel line. After repairs it ran fine even mowed 4 ft grass. The customer comes by a week later and pickup the mower. The next morning he calls and say it is backfiring, well to me after fire out the exhaust. He had one of employees to drop off the mower and it was running fine when dropped off. 30 minutes later I crank it up to move it. Sure enough it pop as I switched the starter on, also popped on shutdown. It had developed a weak ignition coil firing during that short time or the kill circuit in the coil(s) wasn't completely shutting down the coil(s). Replace both coils as Kohler said replace both if they are a different part number. Moved an acre of wet grass then returned the mower with a bill for the coils.

Until this CV742 engine I never seen a carburetor with two electric solenoids.

He also said no one else has worked on the mower in the last few years but that was BS as I found several wrong screw holding on the engine shroud. Drill tip steel metal screws was in several places. And it wasn't me as I have the right screws here. I buy them in bulk.

BTW I have only repaired 2000+ mowers, engines, and a several types of equipment since 2009. Also spent 17 yrs prior repairing office equipment, forms handling, and financial equipment. From day to day I don't what new thing comes into the shop.
Click to expand...
I am not suggesting things, I am explaining based on years of experience. Maybe I misunderstand a specific issue sometimes, maybe I make a mistake, etc. But I am always learning and helping people. There is nothing more to it than that. I learn just about everyday in life something. Learning to let things go, and keeping attitude and ego in check can be just as important as being able to turn a wrench properly.
 
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