[jdslednut]

The PO of my 222 gave me a ball joint linkage piece to install for the hydraulic lift. I got a chance to install it and pop, it came apart. Apparently the valve is stuck. Would tap, tap, tapping it with a hammer do the trick or am I looking at a bigger problem here? I was able to drive it home but whoa, the engine is weak and smoking like a you know what. I had to stop several times for it to regain its power enough to move without killing. I tucked it away for the winter for now but just want to know what I am up against come spring for the lift. I know I'll be up for an engine rebuild. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Hydriv]

Most likely, the problem exists inside the cap that is bolted onto the backside of the valve body. Get the serial number off of your tractor. Go to the Parts Manual section of the Tech Library. Find the sub-section for Kohler powered tractors and then use your serial number to locate the correct PDF. In that book is an exploded diagram of the travel/lift valve. The lift valve is equipped with a "FLOAT" feature that allows the attachment to move up and down without any interference by the hydraulics. The cap on the back covers the float feature but when water gets in and corrodes stuff, then problems like this happen.

If you are going to pull the engine anyway, then removing the travel/lift valve from the tractor will allow you to work on it much easier.