[idahotractorguy]

Hey all! Just picked up this GT18 last night. It's got a fun little issue with it. Wanted some folks with experience to chime in to let me know how bad I've got it.

So currently the lift control is stuck in the back. The pin for the latch (sorry for not knowing all the correct terms) is broken, snapped off the frame.

It looks like it's cast iron, is that correct? So welding isn't an option? What can I do to get her back up and going. Runs great, hydraulics work fine, just can't switch power to the front.

Here's a pic of the failed part:

 

[MoJoMowerman]

That should be just carbon steel. It should be very simple to weld. If it is what I'm looking at.

 

[Ariens93GT20]

That should be just carbon steel. It should be very simple to weld. If it is what I'm looking at.

Got to agree. No cast in the lift linkage that I have found.

 

[Ariens93GT20]

Here is the lift system exploded view. What you have posted is the latch assembly.

 

[MoJoMowerman]

Any time you question cast iron and carbon steel. Take a grinder on it and if it sparks it is carbon steel if it just throws sand it is cast iron.

 

[idahotractorguy]

Thanks All! I'm going to get this over to a machine shop to get welded.

 

[WisconJon]

I’d be looking to see what caused that pin to break off in the first place. There really shouldn’t be any force on that pin- it’s just a pivot point for the latch assembly. I’m thinking something else is loose in the lift system. That assembly has a huge divot in it too- which I don’t believe is normal. It is steel though, and should weld up easy. Welcome aboard!

 

[Ariens93GT20]

Parts diagram did not even show that pin and I don't have the right parts book with me. Ariens parts may show what it is as they often give the size and length.

 

[WisconJon]

Since that pin is welded to the frame, I doubt it would be listed in the parts manual.

 

[idahotractorguy]

Hey all, thanks for all this help. So I investigated more since some of you mentioned that having that pin break is odd as it doesn't have any weight placed on it.

I can see that my lift system is pushed forward and pressing on the catch bar on the frame. How do I go about getting it back to the correct position? It's this part below that I can tell is allowing the drop arm that goes to the hydro pump (part 11) to push forward. Any ideas? I'm hoping just a simple tightening will do the trick but even then not sure what needs tightened!

You can see below, the pump is pushed forward and resting on the catch.

 

[Ariens93GT20]

Outside of worn out components or loose fasteners. Not sure why it would have moved.

 

[WisconJon]

The only way I can see the rockshaft (#13) moving, would be if you were missing the bushings (4x#14) that fit into the frame. It would be real sloppy without those.

 

[tdipaul]

Did you also check to see how the front lift pin looked?



Mine...



After welding it back up...

 

[Ariens93GT20]

That's a fun piece to have to remove.