How to Adjust the Deck Lever on a 90s MTD Lawn Tractor
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Here's a random video I decided to make that I thought would be helpful for those who own an MTD branded lawn tractor from anywhere in the mid to late 80s, way into the early 2000s. In this video, I will be discussing on how to adjust the linkage to the combination deck engagement and cut height adjustment lever. This procedure will work for any MTD lawn tractors with this style of deck engagement, the tractors with this style commonly have the 38 inch, 42 inch, or 46 inch mower decks. The tractor I will be using for this maintenance tip is my 1996 MTD Yard Machines 16.5 HP Twin, 42 inch lawn tractor (www.youtube.co...)
Here it is almost three years later and your video is STILL helping folks. I searched and searched for a solution. The suggestions including welding a nut in the notch, drilling holes and moving the bracket, and even putting a screw in the top of the plastic piston on the switch. Your solution was fast, cleaner, and MUCH easier. Thank You.
And here it is another 2 years after he helped you he’s helped me too.
Working on the deck with bare feet I love it!
He did it ever so slightly tho
I'm so so glad I found this video omg. It was difficult to find a replacement deck belt for my 20+ years old lawn tractor and after replacing it the blades would just constantly turn even in the blades stop position.
I was about to call it quits when I found out about this trick, I had to do it the other way around as my problem was too much tension on the belt but after tightening this rod to it's max the blades are not engaged, hopefully the strap will soften a bit so I can re-adjust.
For cripes sake… I bought a new belt and put it on and the blades wouldn’t disengage unless I kept pulling back on the height adjustment lever as hard as I could. As soon as I took my hand off, the blades engaged (still in the “stop blade” groove. So I took it off (pain in the butt), returned the belt, installed a new MTD belt at 3x the cost… same issue. Found this video, made that adjustment which took about 2 minutes, and it works as it should now. Thank you!
I have a 99 MTD 46 inch mower. This is the first video I found in reference to this particular mower and it's exactly the problem I was having with mine. Thank You Sir for a well presented video that helped me fix my problem!!!
Great guide, helped a lot (better than the manual). The disengagement rod was rusty and stiff to turn on my mower I had to use pliers. For some reason the point of resistance on the deck lever was almost 3 steps below the blade stop position. Someone tightened the disengagement rod far too much on my mower and it made the belt too loose when engaged, which caused the blades to stop spinning when I entered tall grass. Hope this helps someone with the same problem
This problem has been bugging me for years. Thank you very much for posting this video.
Very helpful video. I have a slightly different MTD. The deck height adjust lever comes through the rear fender on the right hand side but the deck operates the same way. On mine, there is a threaded nut that can be adjusted for the deck engagement/disengagement point. It took me a minute to find it because it’s very hidden but I knew kind of what I was looking for after watching this video. It’s a simple design once you understand it
Just did this today, fortunately the instruction manual for my mower had some tips on this too. For my mower, I had to thread the rod based on the deck engagement lever at its highest cutting position. For the guy who commented about the deck rubbing the rear right wheel, this is because the drive belt was not connected to the pulleys. I had the same issue until I put on a new belt. Thank God I figured it out, it was driving me nuts. Now to figure out how to unseize that nut that adjusts the deck level
I had to remove that entire piece from the mower to un-seize mine. There's a cotter pin and washer up there on the top end of the level adjuster. I used pb blaster and 2 vice grips. Any ideas on if it matters that my blade height and engagement lever won't go into the lower most slot??
@@janiebrown5248 I would think as long as it cuts properly and isn't rubbing anything it should be fine
@@janiebrown5248 i think it should be fine as long as the deck isn't rubbing the rear wheels like mine was.
@@Driver732 that did remedy my problem! Also had to get another deck belt, the one I purchased was in the wrong sleeve (thanks to the a-hole who did it) and I think it just came down to an inch difference. But with adjusting the threaded rod and re-replacing the belt, she slips right up into the disengage position and the deck doesn't touch the pulley. Though it was a maddening (and brusing and cussing) experience, I've learned a few things about mowers, well at least this one. Lol
@@janiebrown5248 it feels great when we are able to solve problems. Glad it worked out!
Been messing with this for a couple hours and just now, after supper, I’m headed back out to the garage to fix it. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for this video! I've been having issues for A 1/2 year with my it's my 1990 12 horsepower 38" deck MTD rider. I was looking forever for videos and originally thought the new belt was too small but then I finally came across this video and It turns out that I just had to Tighten that bar like you showed in this video. Once again Thanks for the video it helped me a lot!
it is amazing this mower is still going considering it was a cheap one to began with amazing .
Thanks for your post I installed new belt hand blades and it would never disengage the motor after adjustment it works fine thank you
Just found this video and it helped me understand how to fix this problem. Thank you for sharing!
I have the same mower as you.
I bought it at Montgomery Wards years ago. Still use it on a regular basis. I do need to adjust the brake and the deck.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks just rebuilt a free Powr Kraft 18.5/46 and this was the last step to get it going like new
I've been looking for this MTD issue on youtube for sooo very long! Thank you so very much🤗
thank you. so many other videos that do not help what so ever. kudos.
four years later. thanks so much.
Thanks! Exactly what I needed
This is the trick repair shops don't want you to know about! Now if I could only find the retaining clip. . . BTW This worked for a Yard Man 42" with a Kohler 15 Hp. (Year unknown).
2023, i have fixed my Mastercut watching this video !
so if my deck is too tight i should turn that rod counter clockwise so it’s looser because right now it’s just smoking the deck belt
Awesome 👌 You got a 16 in there! I got the agway with the 12.5/42
You are the only one that has this kind of mower
well i did learn how to adjust the belt now if i can only figure out why the lower our deck goes, left side goes down but the right side comes up ..
Did you use adjust the high? I had the same problem until I turn the deck height adjustment on the left side.
I have a 2011 mtd mower
Thank you for posting this video.
Thank you..After deck removal , the right side of the deck is touching the back wheel.Its to back..I believe that solves my problem...I didnt imagine that screw is adjustable.I lost my afternoon with that sh*t..I will check this tommorow
Ps...wtf...barefoot video .. :p
He hid the beer can.
did this adjustment help? I also have an issue where the deck only goes down 3 notches and its already rubbing the rear right wheel
So how do you raise the height of the deck? I bought one of these used and am trying to figure out how to adjust the height. Even in the top position, it cuts too low.
Did you figure it out?
I have the same problem
Same here. It cuts too low on the highest setting. Thanks for any tips. We inherited the mower with our new house.
Thank you
Our deck shifter comes out of gear when using it. I am going to check that
I have a 2011 model and the deck try's to twist left when I engage the blades. Trying to fix that.
thank you !!!!
Hey I have that exact mower I don't know why my idler pulley won't stay tight Iam eating belts it hangs from midway of the mower it also power blades from putting PTO in on position I know of the carriage bolt but not sure if requires washer or lock washer on carriage bolt
4:37 clockwise from which perspective? The front or back of mower?
Here's another way to think of it (from my operators manual):
For more belt tension, the rod must be lengthened.
For less tension, the rod must be shortened.
So, since my belt is always turning even on the top 'off' position, which tells me there's too much tension, I'm going to shorten it.
This mower is pretty much exactly like the one I have I need to know what the spring looks like or the part number for it for where the brake is connected at mine broke off and got lost and I have no idea where it is at
Nice video, I measured my blade height and found the side to side adjustment but no front to back (rake) adjustment. My deck is lower in the back than the front. No bent hangers or badly worn parts... have you had any issues with deck rake? Thanks again for the video!
i know this is for adjusting the lever.... do you have anything on maybe adjusting the deck tension... when i engage my deck it seems like it dont hold the belt tight enough... it will start spinning the blades and start to cut but stops and smokes the belt if it hits any heavy grass... any ideas or help you can offer on that.... mine is a mtd 14.5hp 42 deck
I think that may be a sign that you'll either need to change the belt to the deck, or check the spring tension at the rear.
Something I'm curious about that you or someone might be able to answer is about the speed lever on the right rear fender. I have a cousin of this mower that looks almost identical and I find that when I put it in forward it'll return to the slowest speed so if I want to go fast I have to hold the speed lever. Is this normal? It doesn't seem normal but maybe it is some kind of safety feature.
good day! I have a 2001 mtd 650 tractor .. Can you tell me how to calibrate the blades? do you have a video about it? Thank you
What is the four reverse and neutral shaft in the middle what is it called so I can buy one
Can i get the serial number or model and year mine is exactly like that 46 inch 18.5 motor but i cant find what bolts hold the idler pulley but my pulley won't move or allow me to engage pto to turn belts on iam at my end i have the shoulder bolt that was with the idler pulley but not sure if tighten it wont move i dont know what to do helppppppppplease!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't find the serial on my particular tractor, and I haven't worked on one with a 46 inch deck before, only the 42 inch (which also works for 38 inch) that my tractor has. There definitely should be a nut that holds the idler pulley on, but listening to your description, it's sounds like it's rusted in place.
Do you know where the spring is attached to the speed lever. My mtd lawnflite looks exactly like your yard machine and the spring that attaches to the lever that accelerates the mower broke and I'll be damned if I can find where that spring goes.
I have this model , my problem is when I drop the deck I hear the blades engage , but when I start moving forward to start cutting the grass the blades stop ? But when I get threw the tall grass the blades engage again ?
That sounds like you may need a new belt.
Handy video
I honestly felt like these MTD lawn tractors get a bad rep for that design and since there weren't many videos at the time on how to adjust it properly, I thought I'd throw this up.
Man I'm having a hell of a time with this stupid mower, got a deck belt replacement from engine shop, way too long, ordered one on Amazon, way to short, decks rubbing engine and won't disengage. Bout to throw the big belt back on and see if I can get the deck back further...
SAME HERE!!! ,69" was wayyyyy to short ,went to 69 1/4 and it made a diff.get the rod adjustment RIGHT.
Hello good morning, from Chile, I would like you to help me regarding the number or model of pulleys to be able to buy them, please. Cheers
Nice video, i have the same machine, but need the black chute thing. But i dont know how to get a new one. MTD sell it but dont send it to Denmark. Very boring.
Amazon for 25 $
I have a 99, and I think this will help my issue somewhat, my deck doesn't move forward to disengage and this, I'm thinking will remedy that. However my blade engagement lever, also height adjustment lever, will not go into the lowest slot, so I thought perhaps that was the reason for the blades refusal to disengage. Never really worked on one before, but need to get it up and running before I'm overtaken by my lawn! Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Adjusting that little lever should help your issue, also I would check your tension spring attached from the rear deck hanger to another hook at the back of the frame of the tractor, the spring may have gotten weak or possibly broke off (either from rust or the little hook that it's supposed to attach to has worn off and keeps causing it to slip off) over time. Also the deck lever on this lawn tractor can't adjust to the lowest cut height either, which I don't worry about since I never cut that low to begin with, but I just keep mine to a point where the deck engages, and disengages.
@@graysonsvacsandmowers5426 Thank you so very much for taking the time to read and reply. It's at my neighbors and I've just gotten here with tools and bout to dive in on it. With the trouble I had with the spring under the seat, to I guess trigger the seat safety switch...I'd rather not have to even look at another spring.
I have an issue with my white lt-15. The deck won’t disengage
Mess with the adjustment rod a bit more to get it dialed in. Just remember, the 2nd from back notch is the engaged position before the cut height adjust. Also it's a good rule of thumb to have a good condition belt installed.
@@graysonsvacsandmowers5426 my cut height lever doesn’t look like that, and the spring is on the opposite side
@@megaaggron9778 Is yours the model with the combo lever on the fender?
@@graysonsvacsandmowers5426 it’s very odd, it has a similar lever but only two notches
Hi, I just got one just like yours with a 16.5 hp, when I engaged the lever to lower the deck it shakes and vibrates alot real bad, any suggestions? I like to figure this out first before I take it to a specialist. Motor cranks and idles just fine. Thank you! great video
That could possibly be bad spindles causing it to vibrate super excessively as the deck is engaged.
Thank you! Im about to drop the deck and do some research and serious repair lol
Why is my mower wont move forward when i shift on F or go on reverse when i shift on R. It will do okay when i remove the top plate, but not when i place back on the plate/cover. TA
You probably need a new drive belt
contact switch under the cover
I've got a 42 in 14.5 I'm working on an need to know what size is the deck belt
It's MTD PN: 754-0371a
@@graysonsvacsandmowers5426 thank ya much there new friend I also have a 14speed 18.5hp no deck
Hi im have the same style the tractor but when turned on the tractor the blades turn on the same time when the blades position is off
Did you turn it the right way, sounds like you turned the rod too far backwards, I'd turn it clockwise a few more times until you feel the deck lever stop into the first engaged position before you feel tension before pulling it all the way back to shut the deck off.
What belt zize did you use? I put a 68 inch 5/8
O never mine your deck is 42 my deck is 38
But thank you so much im see tomorrow the tensions bolt thank you so much you help me alot
@@ignacioreyes986 Sometimes, you will have to adjust it based on how old or new the belt is, but this engagement/cut height style lever is on both the 38", 42", and even the 46"