Whether a homeowner or professional lawn care expert dealing with rough, tough lawns and manicuring might be much more convenient with the right equipment like the grasshopper mower, but at the time, you might be left with uneven cutting or even can’t adjust the height but why is that so?

The major issue is your grasshopper hydraulic deck lift not working, but what can be the potential reason behind it? To solve it, let’s check out in-depth!

A grasshopper hydraulic deck lift is necessary for each lawnmower, allowing users to easily modify the blade cutting height for best mowing results and lawn care expertise.

But, if your hydraulic deck lift fails, it can be inconvenient and leave your grass unevenly cut.

It’s our aim for today, and for that, we brought in the most prevalent causes with their easiest fixes that each user can self-handle without needing an expert.

For more complicated issues or if you aren’t aware of the mower mechanism, avoid self-adjusting serious problems that consult an expert.

Grasshopper Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working- Quick Fix!

Most prevalently, you might find your deck lifts not lifting or working because of low, wrong, or bad hydraulic fluid that needs to be timely checked with additional required fresh fuel with timely replacement.

Due to damaged mower cables and hoses, it is also possible that the deck lift gets nonfunctional, so replace the broken or damaged cables and hoses.

Moreover, Failed Lift Cylinder Seals, faulty Deck Lift valves, or issues with the hydraulic pump not generating enough transmission pressure could also cause the deck not to lift.

Other reasons may include a Faulty hydraulic solenoid or batterya Frozen or clogged deckLow power engine not making the mower run at full power, and a damaged deck lift arm. All you need is expert help or replacing the damaged parts.

05 common causes and fixes for Nonfunctional Hydraulic Deck Lift

1.     Issues with Hydraulic Fluid

Problem: Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working

Reason: Low, wrong, or bad hydraulic fluid

Solution: Required fuel, fresh and compatible fluid

A low amount of hydraulic fluid is one of the most typical reasons why your grasshopper hydraulic deck lift isn’t operating.

When the hydraulic fluid level falls below a certain level, the pump may struggle or fail to lift the deck, and as a result, the issue persists.

Sometimes fluid leaks or bad fluid with degraded Particles, or even using the wrong transmission oil might cause the hydraulic deck not to lift correctly.

  • Check the hydraulic fluid level is low and add more.
  • If the fluid gone degraded, replace it.
  • If the hydraulic fluid is too old or polluted, you may need to replace it.
  • Ensure to use the hydraulic fluid specified for your grasshopper mower.

2.     Issue With Mower Cables and Hoses

Problem: Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working

Cause: Damaged mower cables, belts, and hoses

Solution: Fix or replace the wires, belts, and hoses

Damaged cords and hoses are another possible cause for your mower deck not lifting because The deck lift mechanism lifts the deck using hydraulic hoses and cables.

If any of these components are broken, your deck lift will cease operating, unable to adjust the blades, leading to a poor cutting experience.

To fix the issue, you must examine the wires and hoses for apparent damage, such as fractures, leaks, breakage, and links.

Try replacing them, but before that, make sure your purchase the replacement parts. Once purchased, replace them and check out the deck lift. 

3.     Issues with the Hydraulic pump

Problem: Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working

Cause: Bad or malfunctioned hydraulic pump

Solution: Replace the hydraulic pump with expert help

If you inspected the mower for the previous 02 issues, there is an issue with the hydraulic fluid level and the hoses or cables. The hydraulic pump may be malfunctioning, leading to the deck lift poor functioning.

But how? The pump is in charge of producing the hydraulic pressure required to elevate the deck.

A damaged, faulty, or worn-out pump won’t produce the pressure needed; as a result, no proper lifting of the deck and poor cutting efficiency.

How to solve the issue? Once you find the problem with the pump, Get your grasshopper mower inspected and repaired by an expert or authorized dealer to return it to a working state.

4.     Issues with the Lift Cylinder Seals

Problem: Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working

Cause: Failed Lift Cylinder Seals

Solution: Fix or Replace the Lift Cylinder Seals

Lift cylinder seals maintain hydraulic fluid in the cylinders and side-wise ensure to avoid fluid leakage.

Still, with overtime mower usage, there are chances that the seal may get wear out, causing hydraulic pressure to escape and leading to lowering transmission pressure.

When the pressure gets low, it won’t be able to lift the deck, which is the deck lift causing issue and inability to maintain the blade’s height.

Once you know the seals are worn out or damaged, replace the cylinder seals to restore the desired pressure within the lift cylinders to make the deck lift function efficiently.

5. Issues with the Deck Lift Valve

Problem: Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working

Cause: Faulty Deck Lift or damaged valve

Solution: Fix or Replace Deck Lift Valve

Last, there might be an issue with The deck lift valve because the valve normally regulates the hydraulic flow and pressure to the lift cylinders, leading to deck elevation.

However, the lift won’t be functional once your deck lifts malfunction because of a malfunctioning valve.

Inspect the condition of the valve, and if found faulty, replace it. You can also consult an expert to check out the problem and run more diagnostic troubleshooting of the valve to rule out other probable sources of the problem.

All Possible Cause For Grasshopper Hydraulic Deck Lift Not Working
Cause Quick Solution
Low, wrong, or bad hydraulic fluid Required fuel, fresh and compatible fluid
Damaged mower cables, belts, and hoses Fix or replace the wires, belts, and hoses
Bad or malfunctioned hydraulic pump Replace the hydraulic pump
Failed Lift Cylinder Seals Fix or Replace the Lift Cylinder Seals
Faulty Deck Lift Valve Fix or Replace Deck Lift Valve
Damaged, loosened, or broken belt Please replace it
Faulty hydraulic solenoid or battery Check the battery and solenoid; if faulty, replace
Frozen deck lift Let the mower they warmed before use
clogged deck with grass clippings and debris Clean the deck and check for the issue
Low-power engine not making the mower run at full power Check the power source
Bent or damaged deck lift arm Fix the deck arm

Final thoughts

Finally, we got to our conclusion, and we hope you got an answer for why the “hydraulic deck lift is not working.”

Generally, a grasshopper hydraulic deck lift is an essential component of a lawnmower since it allows users to modify the blade cutting height for maximum mowing results effortlessly.

But, if the hydraulic deck lift fails, it can be inconvenient and leave your lawn unevenly cut.

Low, wrong, or defective hydraulic fluid, damaged mower cables and hoses, failing lift cylinder seals, a malfunctioning deck lift valve, or issues with the hydraulic pump not producing enough transmission pressure are all possible causes.

Users can quickly fix the problem by following the answers provided or consulting an expert for more challenging situations.

Routine maintenance duties are essential for the optimal operation of the equipment. A grasshopper mower can last for years if properly maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lift my grasshopper mower deck?

Find the lever near the driver’s seat that regulates deck height to raise the Grasshopper mower deck. To raise or lower the deck, move the lever forward or backward, Depending on the desired cutting height you require. as per height, the lever may need to be changed accordingly.

Which hydraulic fluid to use for my Grasshopper mower?

Go to the owner’s handbook or contact the manufacturer for the proper hydraulic fluid in a grasshopper mower. Grasshopper provides various mower models, each of which may require a different fluid. On general notice, you can use one of the best and most compatible transmission fluids with your grass hooper mower, including the Cool-Temp Hydro-Max Fluid, which offers better working efficiency and transmission. Change the fluid every 100 to 1000 hours of working to ensure each time the mower works with the fresh fluid avowing an issue.

Does a grasshopper lawn mower require servicing?

Grasshopper mowers do require maintenance to guarantee optimal operation. The mower requires timely Change of the oil, air, and fuel filters, aligning the blades, and lubricating moving components to ensure routine maintenance duties for efficient equipment working. For a complete list of suggested servicing chores and intervals, the user can consult the owner’s handbook for more detailed servicing requirements.

 Nicola Wain
As the founder of MowChip.com, Nick brings extensive experience in gardening and farming to the platform. His hands-on approach and practical tips are backed by years of real-world experience. Nick believes that a well-maintained garden or farm can be a source of joy, and he’s here to guide you through every step of the way.