On my JD LT-155, the mower lever requires force against a spring to start the mower. As I move the lever forward to start the mower, I first experience a little resistances, then a lot of resistance as you stretch the spring, and final after a point it moves forward with little resistance

Do you feel resistance to moving the mower lever into the mow position?

If you do not, you may check the spring mechanism. and or adjustments.

JD parts and schematics

http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt

One other thing that may cause the problem. Is the belt on the mower deck looped around the pulleys correctly?

This post was edited by knuttle on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 19:01

I know sometimes that they have difficulty engaging fully if the deck brakes are binding. The deck cable is also adjustable on the bracket mount bolts- top of deck.

OK, thx,.... I will keep that in mind,,,,,, for now it's doing better, found a bent nail in place of what was new, prbly a Pin Insert, at the bottom of the rod assembly, holding everthing together. It allowed too much slop.

Thx - Joel

They have a small bolt assy. If I recall, there are 2 possible sizes. Generic roll pins will fail.

Ok .thx.... will try to fit with such on next fix it day!