sounds like a stick or something got caught up in the mechanism, either that or your deck wheels are all the way down!

 

I made sure to raise the deck wheels and rotate them 90 degrees before trying to lower and remove the deck.

I'm sure that if I could see the mechanism, resolving this issue would be much easier. The problem is, how do I go about diagnosing the problem when I can't lower the deck to access the mechanism?

 

Can you go up more ?, then try down or see anything better.
Look along the assist spring area too to make sure there are no obstructions to it.

 

Here's some tip.

1. lift the deck completely in park position and rotate the knob at 0
2. pull the lift pedal completely toward the rear of tractor and lock it.
3. If you are equip with the spring lift assist for the snowblower make sure it is set properly for the mower deck (sticker on the side of the frame)

The mower deck should be completely down at this point.

You have a greasing Zerk on the lift pedal (under the left foot rest body) where is connect wit the brake shaft make sure it is not seize, if when moving the lift pedal the brake pedal move with it, it's a sign that is starting to seize.

 

Thanks to all for the tips. After taking another look at the tractor today, I was able to identify the source of the problem.

My tractor has some components that make the plow work under the tractor that stay there year round. Underneath the tractor frame on the left side there is a lift rod that connects the foot pedal to the rockshaft. One of the pins fell out of the front of the lift rod, which allowed the lift rod to rest along the lip of the frame out of sight and it prevented the foot pedal from moving fully.

I should have thought to check this rod first, as it has caused problems before: It got caught in the steering mechanism once and wouldn't allow the tractor to be turned in one direction. It amazes me that the locking ring that is supposed to keep the pin in place can work it's way off during use.

 

Glad you found the problem. I think I'll check all pins next time the deck comes off.

 

It sounds to me like that the jam nuts on the rod (where the rod goes into the yokes) are not installed properly and/or not enough thread is in the yokes at both ends of the rod.

 

you gotta love the self fixes, congrats!

 

and much cheaper in most cases:fing32: slkpk