123 Deck not lifting evenly

Mossmanxjt · #1 05-24-2014, 06:08 PM

I just finished refurbishing the 48" deck on the new to me 123. After loading it onto the trailer to take to the new house I noticed that the deck does not sit level when lifted up. Upon investigating I noticed that when the pin on the rockshaft arm reaches the top of the slot in the lift link and begins to lift the deck on one side, the pin is still about 1/4" from reaching the top of the lift link on the other side.

Is there any adjustment for this or might my rockshaft be twisted somehow with one arm sitting lower than the other?

Thanks,
Mike

finsruskw · #2 05-24-2014, 06:32 PM

You probably have a broken pin on one of the lift arms where they are pinned to the rock shaft. Had the same problem on my 1450 last week. Not easy to replace but you may get lucky. It's a 3/8 x 1.5" spirol pin and will more that likely come out in pieces. Any decent implement store should have them, be sure and ask for a spirol pin. I think that may be a brand name but most folks call 'em that. They are not the same as a straight single roll pin in that they are wound like a coil.

Pry with a crow bar between the two arms and see which one moves. That likely will be the one with the broken pin. You will need to have the 2 arms lined up in order to drive out what is left of the old pin.

Good luck!

darkminion_17 · #3 05-24-2014, 06:51 PM

wear and age on the mule drive is your problem. A few places for wear are the lift arms on the deck, the slots that connects to the lift arms, where the pickle fork hangs off the lift arm rockshaft wears quite a bit, so much that you can actually twist them causing the lift arms to not be parallel anymore.
I use one of these to help level the deck.

BTW the lift arms have no pins, they are welded on a nf.

finsruskw · #4 05-24-2014, 06:56 PM

Thanks Lew, I stand corrected on that point. I just logged back on to ammend what I posted in case anyone has that problem w/pinned lift arms, the spirol pins are 5/16" not 3/8". Those arms and rock shafts sure yake a beating when using blades and plows over the years. It's a wonder they have lasted as long as they have,

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone and don't forget those that gave their all for you and this great nation.

Mossmanxjt · #5 05-24-2014, 06:57 PM

I will check and see if I've got the welded lift arms or if they are pinned. I will also check over the mule drive for wear. What is the name of that part you have pictures and where could I find one. It looks like that would do the trick to compensate for the uneven lifting arms.

darkminion_17 · #6 05-24-2014, 07:05 PM

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I would first check to see if one of your lift arms are bent though.

Yosemite Sam · #7 05-25-2014, 04:21 PM

It is also possible that someone used two different "lift links".

They are not all the same some are longer than others.

Mossmanxjt · #8 05-25-2014, 11:05 PM

Sam, that is a good idea I will check that. I mowed the lawn today and had good results. I was able to move the lower end of the lift link to a farther aft hole in the frame. This increased the distance from the lift link to the lift arm just enough to bring the deck very close to level. Later on i will tear into it and find/fix the actual problem.