lt4jim 1 #1 Posted May 2, 2019 Newbie for Wheel Horse. Recently acquired a C-120 auto (with 16 HP replacement engine) and have it mostly functional but have a problem with the 42" mower deck falling off the hydraulic lift pin when rough ground is encountered. The lift arm seems straight (it was bent and missing a bushing when I acquired it) and slop doesn't seem too excessive in all the joints on the deck. To mount the deck, I just clicked in attach-a-matic front mount and slipped the pin on the lift arm into the long hole on the deck. What am I missing? TIA, Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #2 Posted May 2, 2019 Welcome to the forum. This manual is most likely not the model/year you have but the attachment process is identical. Click on the fuzzy picture Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,694 #3 Posted May 2, 2019 Good to have another Texas WH member. Does the pin on the lift arm have a hole for a hairpin type clip and a washer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #4 Posted May 2, 2019 Thank you for the prompt response. A quick glance looks like I did it according to the manual but I'll recheck it all line by line according to the manual when I can get to the tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #5 Posted May 2, 2019 26 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said: Good to have another Texas WH member. Does the pin on the lift arm have a hole for a hairpin type clip and a washer? It does not but that seems like it would be the solution. Is it supposed to have one? The lift bar was bent when I got the tractor but I straightened it. No hole though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 5,810 #6 Posted May 2, 2019 It seems odd to me that you can install that lift after the deck is attached to the tractor. I have to slip mine in then lift the deck using the tractor lift to engage the attach-a-matic. Does your lift bar have a lot of play in it ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,548 #7 Posted May 2, 2019 Lift bar might be bent..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 627 #8 Posted May 2, 2019 Definitely should be a hole in the pin that you put a clip in to hold the deck on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #9 Posted May 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, cleat said: It seems odd to me that you can install that lift after the deck is attached to the tractor. I have to slip mine in then lift the deck using the tractor lift to engage the attach-a-matic. Does your lift bar have a lot of play in it ? I'm sorry I got the sequence wrong in my first post. I also have to put the lift pin in first. The arm doesn't seem to have a lot of play now since I replace the lift arm / frame bushing. Good idea using the lift to attach the attach-a-matic though. I lifted the deck manually (duh!!). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #10 Posted May 2, 2019 12 minutes ago, oldredrider said: Lift bar might be bent..... I'll check it again since I did have to take a pretty large bend out of it. Seemed straight after I bent it back into shape. The lift pin is pretty well centered left to right in the slot when the deck is installed at rest and the pin is parallel to the ground. I don't have another to look at so assumed that would be where it should go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,644 #11 Posted May 2, 2019 4 hours ago, dcrage said: Definitely should be a hole in the pin that you put a clip in to hold the deck on. Here is the hole in the tack -a-matic hitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lt4jim 1 #12 Posted May 2, 2019 Thanks to all for the suggestions. I reviewed the instruction manual to make sure I was mounting the deck correctly, removed the deck and lift arm to check everything again. Lift arm looked OK but I did find that the bar with the lift slot on the deck itself was slightly bent. I don't think it would be enough to have it fall off on rough ground but could happen. Since I had the lift assembly out, I drilled the lift pin so I could add a washer and hairpin clip. I'm sure that will take care of it. Thanks again for the help. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 5,810 #13 Posted May 2, 2019 That will also keep the bar from sliding over and destroying the grease fitting for the center spindle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,745 #14 Posted May 2, 2019 The mid Tach-o-Matic hitch is spring-loaded to lock the lever in place...should NOT need that little clevis pin at all. (1) Be sure you have the FORK on that lever in the correct position so as to engage the upper pin...that's what keeps the deck from slopping forward / back and Left to Right. (2) That mid hitch MUST have the spring on it to work right. If not, the lever will NOT lock into position. The pages here are for a 48" deck...but are the same for 42" and other decks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,644 #15 Posted May 3, 2019 (edited) Maybe they should NOT fall off, but you have to take into acount that C-120's are over 40 years old. Then you have one fall off twice in 30 minutes in 95 to 100 degree weather and have to wrestle it back on in the grass, it's time to pin it in place. I've been there and Pinned It, that was August 2016. It hasn't fall off since. Ever thing is worn, maybe a new spring would fix it and maybe not, but the pin works. Edited May 3, 2019 by Lee1977 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
