3260 Deck Mounting

[nomad]

After rebuilding the mowing deck for a 154, we came up short on mounting the deck back onto the machine. Please bear with my technical lingo--the slotted brackets on each side won't reach the holes where they are supposed to be aligned with the next bracket. They are about an inch short (too low and slightly forward). This is so even when the piston is fully extended. During rehab, we cleaned up the shaft that goes across to both sides and attaches to the piston. I am wondering if we re-mounted that in the wrong position? Should it be mounted with the piston all the way open, all the way closed or in between?......or is there a trick to mounting the deck that we are missing? Thanks! Nomad.

[Rudi]

I don't actually have a copy of the 3260 Owner's Manual, but the IH 3260 Rotary Cutter section of the TC-131 Parts Catalog Revision 8 is available. I hope this helps a bit.

[nomad]

Thank you. After some wiggling the deck is on. The lift works great. Too great. We overextended it. The piston wont' go back in. Are there are suggestions on how to push it back in and is there some type of stop to prevent this from happening in the future? Appreciate the advice.

[BigBill]

There is a long threaded 1/2-13 hex head bolt with a jam nut on the frame of the tractor to prevent over travel and to set the height of the mower deck. If the bolt is missing there is a threaded block welded on the frame and a cam that will hit the bolt on the rocker shaft. If i remember correctly its on the left side of the tractor.

To get the piston back in i would wiggle it in a small circle to get it started going back in while pushing on it.

[nomad]

Thank you for the help. Deck is on and working. Biggest problem is that the blades stop turning sometimes even when travelling slowly. When the belt went on the mule drive we did not tighten anything. Is that the problem or should we look for another source?

[outdoors4evr]

Are you having an issue with the belt slipping that runs the mower deck?
The mule drive that changes the direction of the belt handles the tightness of the belt. One is spring loaded and the other is a fixed position. Make sure the spring loaded one is about 1/2 the available travel. Adjust the fixed side to increase or decrease the spring load.

Is it possible that you are having an issue with the PTO not spinning at rate?
Make sure the PTO is engaging fully and verify that the PTO belts are tight and clean. These are behind the side panel covers.

[nomad]

Excellent. That's the advice we needed. Saw the adjustment on the mule drive but didn't know where it should be. 1/2 the travel. Thanks.