EX-Mark or Toro zero turn mower fix.

JanJ

I have an EXMark 50” front wheel steer zero turn mower. Toro makes the same model. (The 2 arm non steering wheel mower has same issue).
Mine has the fabricated instead of stamped 3 blade enclosure. ALL sizes are affected: 42”, 50”, 56” all have this issue: mine is just the EXMark 50” fabricated 3 blade housing, steering wheel type — zero turn.

I’ve been encountering an issue where the “U shaped rod from blade lift system slips out of its holding block fastened to chassis rail on each side. Say if you hit something with blade assy under motion. A real pain to fix. Multiple Major systems disassembly. Many Hours in length of time to disassemble, repair, then reassemble with lots of steps to do things wrong, or an expensive cost to have repairs by others$$$!!

Darn! Mower blade assy hit a tree while under motion! — Happened again! Simple Solution: Don’t hit immovable things while under motion, or, do it at a very slow speed! (But I Digress!!!)

Looking at it. I developed a tool to fix it without multiple major disassembly’s - as indicated in the the Service Manuals:

Drill hole in chassis rail - across from where the rod slipped out of block: (CAREFUL!! So it doesn’t interfere with system wiring there!). At end where U shaped rod is out of it’s hold down block — unscrew the 5mm hex bolt, remove the (empty of rod) block from chassis rail, noting the chassis locking tab in the block, that positions block in place that bolt then holds securely. Leave other side, where rod is mounted inside hold down block - alone. This is what we want for the side we are working on - to be like-after the fix!
Slide threaded rod through new hole in chassis, and at end by loose rod create a metal pipe strap & wrap around the U shaped rod and securely bolt strap both ends to threaded rod.
At other end of threaded rod (sticking out other chassis side, through new hole you just drilled): Use Washer and nut to tighten to pull the loose end of U shaped rod back enough so the hold down block can be put on end of U shaped rod, then slowly release tension on nut on threaded rod to move block with U shaped rod into place - back against inside of chassis rail — and work block into place & bolt back on. Remove pipe straps and threaded rod. Fixed! Once tool is made less than 30 minutes to repair with no Major Dis-Assembly!
If you need further info, based on drawings from Toto or EXMark maintenance manuals, (that I have), contact me!

This info sent to EXMark Customer Support!

JanJ

So. I heard back from ExMark support on this issue!!
They apparently sell a “kit” for this that involves multiple hole’s drilling on both chassis rails and metal arms mounted behind the block, that holds the U arm from leaving the mount. They included the part number ExMark 137-2016 and it’s ~ $50. My home built tool will return it to operational condition, their parts hopefully resist the rod from pulling out altogether. My fix was <$10.. Theirs is $50, but permanent.
It is noted however that their kit doesn’t describe how to get the rod back into guide block!! That’s what my tool does!
Printed out info for my manuals. If anyone needs it contact me! Time and accurate mowing will determine if I need this kit or just be more careful, knowing I have a tool that will quickly reposition the rod back into the block.
Would be nice if these type of things could be discovered before-hand.

JanJ

So I coukd buy EXMarks $50 ‘fix’, but I have my ‘tool’.

What’s to do?

Decision made: have 12- 18 trees cut in past 27 years that, though cut ground level then, (maybe) now stick up and can hit mower. As can 3-4 small trees: spaced ‘just so’ that on the slightest error in steering can cause issue as well.
A cleaner looking result would be: make the stumps level with ground! Looks better - and remove trees too close together. So either doesn’t hit mower! That’s the plan! Needs to be done anyway! Chain saw.
Older ones fare easier to level and some even easy enough that filled in area with dirt & grass seed. Easier than trees cut in last 5-7 years. The little trees 2-3”, so easy they are in fire pit already, along with cut out stumps. 4-5 more larger stumps to go-for next time! Fortunately they are all older cut downs., 2006-9 or so.

Chip89

JanJ I hope not I just bought a Toro Titan 60 inch it only has 4 hours on it.