Recent Feedback
We have a JD L110 lawn tractor, and the parking brake suddenly locked up. The mower worked fine last week, but this week, the brake pedal will not depress and the parking brake won't disengage. We've checked the free-wheeling pin on the back so we could try to push it, but that didn't do anything either. Any suggestions?
Hi, are you here?
Yes, I'm here
This will happen from time to time. I have a quick method that may resolve this. Ready
You bet.
Unlock the brake pedal push it back down and slightly move you foot to the side while holding pressure on it. Slide you foot off so it pops back quickly. Most of the time this will release the brake rotor in the transmission.
the brake pedal won't unlock, and neither will the parking brake.
Neither one will budge.
You mean the lever in the dash will not move to the unlock position?
Correct.
You can't push harder on the pedal to get the lever out of the lock position either. You tried that?
I'll try again, but it will be a few minutes. Is that OK for you?
We have the front end up on cinderblocks so we can try to see something underneath.
Thats fine but we need to at lease get the lever out of the lock position.
We followed the parking brake bar down into the engine as far as we could. We also tried the free-wheeling switch on the back of the mower. We tried rocking the mower to break something loose. The brake pedal doesn't move even a quarter inch, and the parking brake lever is absolutely stuck. The mower worked fine last week. It's about 5 years old, and regularly services.
serviced.
He's trying the brake pedal again.
He popped the brake, and it didn't work.
Popped it a number of times, and pushed real hard on the brake pedal as well.
Did we get the lever out of the lock position?
No.
Push down not the brake pedal harder then try to move the lever out of the lock. Please bare with me but we must get this out first.
Push the brake hard at the same time releasing the parking brake lever? Is that what you're saying?
Yes
OK, we've done that many times already, but we'll try again, pushing the brake pedal as hard as humanly possible.
should we have the engine running, or does that make any difference?
No the engine does not have to run.
OK, we'll try again.
We're not new to the John Deere. He's probably mowed over 100 times with it. We're stumped, because this has never happened.
That ok this happens from time to time with others also.
Can I explain something quickly.
Yes, please.
Pushed the pedal as hard as possible while trying to release the brake - nothing happened.
The lever that goes to the dash goes down to a rocker arm with teeth on it. Right now we have a lot of pressure on the lever itself. So it is important to stand, push or something on the brake pedal to release some tension off the teeth then it will release.
Is that the brass box with gears on it? It looked like is was seated a little off-kilter. We didn't know what that was. The box is about 1" square.
I will try to send you a picture of the lock that has the teeth.
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!! That would help immensely.
While you're looking for the photo, we'll go back to the barn and try your suggestion - he'll stand on the brake pedal while I try to disengage the parking brake.
ok
Which number is XXX part that you are talking about?
Hang on
We just tried your suggestion. He put his full weight on the brake pedal while I pushed down on the parking brake. Everything is still locked up.
See #6
and 8
Looking. Hang on.
Ok, we see the parts. do you have a suggestion on how to break them free?
If we can somehow pop # X loose that will do it. Remember THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THIS AN IT CAN BREAK A FINGER OR SOMETHING. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
We're going to give that a try. Do you have the names for parts #6 and #8? Just curious.
yes just a second
I want to tell how it can be done.
Awesome.
Put a large or medium flat head screw driver on the end of #6 , hit the end of the screwdriver with a hammer like you are driving a nail.
OK
Number 6 is called a LATCH
We will take the diagram out to the barn and give it a try. With safety glasses on.
We'll be out there about 5 mins.
Have plenty of light.
Turtle, you absolutely ROCK!
you think so
So it worked?
We discovered we needed to remove the battery, which gave us access to part 6. It was wedged against another piece of metal frame. We hit it once, and it moved a little, then hit it again and now it's FREE! Both brakes are working great now!
You are awesome!
Well now I can enjoy it but I was getting worried.
So were we. We were trying to figure how how a 56 year old woman and 64 year old guy would get an immobile lawn tractor in the back of a pickup truck to take it to the shop. Now, we can finish out the weekend with a smile on our face!
Please click the accept button if you are completely satisfied. Come back and see me if you need to. You two did it yourselves , great job. You saved time and money. Now your husband can take you out to eat dinner this week.
Do I have the opportunity, if I click "Accept" to pay you more than the agreed-on $30?
You really saved our bacon.
I get have but they do ask for bonus.
half of 30
We will definitely give you the bonus, and all the glowing praise we can. Thanks again!
Oh, did you get the name of part 8?
yes, it was called BRACKET
latch and bracket. Two innocent-sounding parts that gave us all kinds of grief. LOL
I am so proud of you both.
Not bad for a couple of old geezers. We won't keep you. Thanks again, and have a good night!
Thanks, good night.
Experience: Briggs & Stratton Master Tech, over 20 years exp all brands