If the plunger is IN that is the free wheel mode. You can push it around by I doubt it will move under power. You need to get it to pop out.
Don't recognize the parts but that spring could go a lot of places, i.e.. belt tensioner pulley

 

That spring looks AWFULLY like THIS one:

This is the spring that goes underneath the height adjustment lever bezel, and keeps the height adjustment lever from popping out of its slots...

(Thanks to Herd_Of_Deeres for the original pic, a couple of years ago!)

 

That sure sounds like it, as the height adjustment has a ton of slop and doesn't stay in the slots..

Awesome, one down..

 

Anyone else? Grass is growin' and I gots to get mowin'...

 

I agree with what Katt said. Penetrating oil may free up the plunger.

 

For that spring to work on the deck height adjustment, I guess I'm missing some guts out of it? The one I see on ebay are what I have on the deck..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-DEERE-...HT-PANEL-/370545161811?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5646367653#ht_2757wt_1037

 

I doubt you are missing anything but the spring LTG showed you. ( the one on the left of the decal.
The spring rubs against the knob shaft forcing it to stay in the notch you select !! :fing32:

 

Yup, all you need on the deck height adjustment is the plastic bezel piece (that piece of plastic you see on eBay and in Herd_of_Deere's picture), the spring, and the screw that holds the plastic bezel on... The bottom end of the spring hooks to the deck, the top end hooks to the plastic, then you latch the top of the bezel under the deck edge and screw the screw into the screw hole... I GUESS you might also need the little metal screw keeper clip that you see on the deck there in Herd's picture....

 

aaaaaaright... I think I've got that.

Any ideas on the linkage, anyone? I don't think I can round up enough carp deer to keep the grass gnawed down at this point..

Thanks!

 

What's the latest on the plunger. We are dead in the water till then !!
FYI You are supposed to be suppling pictures !! what -up ??

 

#33 belt guide.

 

WOW! Ron, how the HECK did you figure that out?!?! You didn't look through ALL of the parts diagrams on JD Parts for the 185, did you?

Speaking of which, Rancho_Loco, check out the John Deere online parts catalog here....

Just pop the model number of your machine into the model blank (185, in your case) select Exact Model Search, then click Find... You can get a sectional index that lists diagrams like Ron posted...

 

Didn't get to work on the plunger tonight.. Had to work on some beers with the wife instead. 99% sure that the plunger is a non-factor. By the looks of the farmer's operation, I'd tend to believe his diagnosis. Just want to make sure before I track down a hydro unit..

Pix of the mower will happen.

 

#14 transaxle to frame support bracket

And #8 Hydro dump rod return spring

 

yeppers, that's the diagram I I'D the bracket in..

But the loose spring is not the rod spring, that one is in situ..

 

One of these ?

 

Actually it was quite easy. Usually if you click onto the frame pictures, it brings up a large number of parts that go into these tractors.

Bingo, there it was !!

 

Wow !! He really had this thing apart if Ron's parts are correct.
If the lawn is growing that fast, just go buy a running machine, and fix this later or never.

 

If the lawn is growing that fast, just go buy a running machine, and fix this later or never.

We just bought a house. The piles of leftover money are kinda scarce right now..

 

Ive got a working hydro bypass plunger off my old 185 hydro unit. If you need it PM me your address, and ill get it in the mail.

 

Thanks a bunch, I'll let you know..

 

In addition, early spring in Montana usually isn't this green.. Normally I'd have a few more weeks to tinker on it before the grass woke up.

 

Looks like we might be getting a reprieve - foot of snow forcast for Thursday and Friday.. That should buy me some time to get this thing rolling.

Thanks everyone, got the spare parts lined up where they go..