•Locate the two lock nuts on the opposite side of the stabilizer bracket. See Figure 14. Tighten the lock nuts to raise the front of the deck; loosen the lock nuts to lower the front of the deck.
•Retighten the two jam nuts loosened earlier when proper adjustment is achieved.
Side to Side
If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if necessary as follows:
•With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the deck lift lever in the top notch (highest position) and rotate both blades so that they are perpendicular with the tractor.
•Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground. Both measurements taken should be equal. If they’re not, proceed to the next step.
•Loosen, but do NOT remove, the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger bracket. See Figure 15.
Adjustment Gear
Hex Cap Screw
Figure 15
•Balance the deck by using a wrench to turn the adjustment gear (found immediately behind the hex cap screw just loosened) clockwise/up or counterclockwise/down.
•The deck is properly balanced when both blade tip measurements taken earlier are equal.
•Retighten the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger bracket when proper adjustment is achieved.
Parking Brake Adjustment
WARNING: Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running. Always disengage PTO, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
If the tractor does not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal is completely depressed, or if the tractor’s rear wheels can roll with the parking brake applied, the brake is in need of adjustment. The brake disc can be found on the right side of the transmission in the rear of the tractor. Adjust if necessary as follows.
•Looking at the transmission from the right side of the tractor, locate the compression spring and brake disc. See Figure 16.
Brake Rod
Crown Nut
Brake Disc
NOTE: View shown from beneath tractor. 
Figure 16
•Carefully remove the cotter pin from the crown nut on the right side of the brake assembly.
•Using a feeler gauge, check the gap between the brake disc and the brake puck. Proper gap is .011".
•Tighten the crown nut until the proper gap is achieved.
•Insert a replacement cotter pin (part #
Steering Adjustment
If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other, or if the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear, the steering drag links may need to be adjusted.
Adjust the drag links so that equal lengths are threaded into the ball joint on the left side and the ball joint on the right side:
•Loosen the jam nut found on the drag link at the rear of the ball joint. See Figure 17.
•Remove the hex nut and lock washer on the top of ball joint. See Figure 17.
•Thread the ball joint toward the jam nut to shorten the drag link. Thread the ball joint away from the jam nut to lengthen the drag link.
•Replace hex nut and lock washer and retighten the jam nut after proper adjustment is achieved.
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