John Deere 210

I just got an old 210 with mower deck. nice shape and mower deck works good but do not have a manual yet and was wondering about raising and lowering the mower deck. The lever handle that is for up and down moves but does nothing to the deck. The little turn knob to the left of trans shifter, seems froze. Is that what lifts it up and down or should the lever do something?? Was not sure if lever was just for attachemnts or also mower deck?

Something to try.
The handle is for lift/lower. Believe it or not, with the appropriate link kits added, it also operates the rear tiller & front snow blower.
The twist knob sets operating hieght. Could be that it is set for highest setting. If it is carrying the deck it will turn hard. Try pulling the handle all the way back. This should take the load off the knob. Then try turning the knob.
HTH
Willie

I have tried all that. does anyone have any pictures that would show maybe some missing linkage?? The deck is at the lowest setting and riding on the back roller wheels. I can manually lift the deck by hand real easy but nothing to hold it up. Also the leaver moves real easy like nothing is connected.

Oops, misunderstood the problem. I took it that the deck was up & wouldn't go down.
Couple things to look for-
poking thru the cover over the secondary belt should be 2 angle iron stubs, approx 1 1/2x1 1/2, poking up about 2 in., directly below the frame rails. one on right side should be just forward of the pulley for main belt.
under the tractor, about in line with your heels when using foot rests, should be 2 short arms, approx 6 in long. these would be inside the frame rails, with a mushroom shaped stud on end toward rear of tractor. these arms rise when you pull the lever back, but won't drop when you push the lever forward. With the lever forward, & adjuster knob turned left as much as possible, you should be able to pull them down by hand, might be a bit stiff.
there are 2 links that connect the arms to the angles on top the deck. one end is flat iron, 1/8x 1 1/4 or so with a keyhole slot. other end is about 3/8 round, bent at 90 deg & a hole drilled thru. keyhole end goes on the mushroom stud on arm, round end goes thru angles on deck. the link on right side has to be unhooked to get the main belt into position, the belt runs on both sides of it.
Hope this helps a bit. Otherwise will try to scan my books tomorrow.
Willie

You should be able to find pictures and explanation on how to put that deck on correctly at weekendfreedommachionesDOTcom. It's a good set up and works well. The 10 hp is the smoothest operating and most fuel-efficient of the 200-series. Post back if you need more help. I probably have a few extra pieces if you are missing some lift parts.

If you have the front lift or rear lift kit installed, they can get jammed up. If the deck height adjustment (that round knob) is incorrect, willie in Mn had the correct answer for that.