Cub 149 Hydraulic Lift without Mower Deck

[Gramcon]

Hello all, I got a Cub Cadet 149 last week that's in good shape -- motor fires right up, hydrostatic transmission doesn't drift, etc. It's really cool! I want to use it exclusively for light duty tractor work -- box scraping, raking, etc.

Trouble is, when I take the mower deck off, the hydraulic lift for the sleeve hitch no longer lowers down. With the deck on, it works fine. I'm probably missing something ridiculous because I'm unfamiliar with these tractors -- is there a way to still raise and lower the sleeve hitch without the mower deck being attached? Thanks for your help!

[J-Mech]

After you lower it, get off, and reach back and see if you can lower it with your hand. The system is set up to float, and without the deck on there is no weight to pull it down. It's likely that the whole linkage just needs lubricated. Nothing difficult. Take the tunnel cover off, watch it move up and down, and lube what needs lubed.

[ironman]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

The system is set up to float, and without the deck on there is no weight to pull it down.

That depends on the position of the "float lockout pin".

Go here, read page 20, left column, last paragraph, no lube necessary ...

http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/1x8-9%20Operator%20Manual.pdf

Downloading this manual would be to your great advantage.

[Gramcon]

Thank you! I printed out the manual and will use it for reference. I got my landscape rake put together and attached it, disconnected the mower deck, and the sleeve hitch raises and lowers just fine. You were right -- I just needed some weight on it. Much obliged, I look forward to many happy hours with this tractor.