What's this piece for?

[jlasater]

On my 716H, on top of the hydro, is a bent piece of sheet metal with a bracket and it looks like it can push down on two plungers that are side by side at the highest point on the transaxle. In the attached photo you can see it next to the cooling fins on the transaxle. I have manuals on the way, but still so many questions :-)[A href='http://www.wheatfarm.com'][img src='http://198.237.72.26/wheatfarm/actractor/junk/image1.jpg'][/a]

[JDSnyder]

That bent piece of sheet metal is to hold down the two plungers that place the hydro in neutral in case you want to push the tractor by hand without the engine running. Then, the first few times you use it, you'll forget, get on the tractor, start the engine, and it won't move. Then, you'll have to get off, raise the seat and release the plungers.

[SmilinSam]

That's your relief valves. This is there so you can push your tractor around by hand. You push down on the bracket which locks with two little tabs. This opens the bypass so you can push the tractor around without pushing aganst the pump. Twist it slightly to let the bracket up. When the pump builds pressure it should pop the valves back up. You should be able to push lightly with your finger on each valve button to make them go down. If they won't move with that, I would hesitate on locking the bracket down because they may not come back up and that could be bad. If thats the case you will have to free them up. I know what I would do, but I'd rather hear from someone around here that knows the proper methods for rectifying this sort of problem before I say. Sam

[jlasater]

Ah, so this explains why after my tractor sits for a few minutes, I can just wheel it around. Couldn't figure out why it moved so easily. I'd like to hear how to unstick the valves if it turns out they are sticking.[A href='http://www.wheatfarm.com']http://www.wheatfarm.com[/a]

[JCS]

I busted BOTH of my valves because I was stupid and at $100.00 each I never bought them so I have a AC 716 that I dont use. Spray slippy oil on them and let then soak first before pushing them down. If you push them down and after starting they dont pop up then you got to remove them and the funny bracket is in the way!!! and it has a funny bolt. once you get the "buttons" out take a small nail and put it in the hole in the bottom and push the pin back up to fit!!!! Wish I would have looked at mine better....