smithka 7 #1 Posted March 31, 2022 Well, it's that time of year again when the snow blade needs to come off. Need to sharpen some blades and get the mower deck back on. Does anyone happen to have a photo of this 48" Mower Deck installed on a GT14? Specifically, I'm looking for advice on the Latch Assembly. The manual I found for this deck states that the pivoting latch is held close only by a "hairpin cotter" (shown below #49). I'm not sure how a cotter might work here, but I've had machine screws shear off a few times and it's a royal PITA to get the deck back on properly. Any guidance is appreciated!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,588 #2 Posted March 31, 2022 @smithka don't have any specific gain on your hook up , another member will probably respond , but , at local h/w stores they often have , pull out drawers of safety latches that you might use , another thing about sharpening deck blades , is not to to do a violent heavy metal shearing. while I don't know what your blades look like , usually use a small fine file , and aerosol lubricant , to assist in easy cutting action , and stop rust on blade , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,174 #3 Posted March 31, 2022 Welcome to the forum. If the latch is being forced open with enough force to shear a machine screw, it probably means that the bottom edges of the notches in part #48 are worn badly enough to slope downward when the latch is closed instead of being flat parallel to the ground. No cotter or hairpin will survive long in that situation either. I suspect you'll have to replace or repair #48. Check with vendors on this site--I'm sure A-to-Z, K&B, and maybe even Wheel Horse Parts and More would have Attach-a-matic mid-hitch parts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,040 #4 Posted March 31, 2022 if the part of the deck (not numbered in the drawing) has the machined surface worn down (this is the part that fits into the latch), the deck can jostle around over bumps. This slop in the latch area can cause enough force to break the pin or screw. Make sure the latch and deck mount are in good condition. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithka 7 #6 Posted April 1, 2022 Thank you all for the replies thus far. I'll definitely be taking a closer look a the latch mechanism and attachment point of the deck to see if either of those is causing the issue. I know it seemed like the deck definitely had some wear. My uncle (who I bought this tractor from) still has another mower deck that might be usable for some donor parts, so that could be an option. While we are on the topic of this deck, would anyone happen to know the length of this lift rod (#28)? I just bought a solid lift bar ( part #8735) for my snow blade from Wheelhorse Parts & More and wondering if I could use that for the mower deck as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,120 #7 Posted April 1, 2022 I have used a short chain for lifting a deck, if you encounter an obstacle the rod is supposed to allow the deck to float but I prefer a chain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
