Side to Side Leveling the Deck

NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to “Tires” earlier in this section for information regarding tire pressure.

If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if necessary as follows:

1.With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, move the deck to the mid height position (third or fourth notch) using the deck lift lever. Rotate the left blade so that it is perpendicular to the tractor frame. Measure and record the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground.

2.Moving to the other side of the tractor, rotate the right blade so that it is perpendicular to the tractor frame, and measure the distance from its outer blade tip to the ground.

3.Both measurements taken should be equal. If they’re not, note whether the left side of the deck is lower or higher and proceed to the next step.

4.Working from the left side of the tractor, loosen, but do not remove, the hex cap screw in the left deck adjustment bracket. See Fig. 6-5.

Front To Rear Deck Leveling

The front of the cutting deck is supported by an adjustable front deck hanger rod. This rod can be adjusted to set the front to rear pitch of the deck. The front of the deck should be approximately 1⁄4” lower than the rear of the deck. Adjust if necessary as follows:

NOTE: The deck should first be leveled side to side. Check the side to side level of the deck and adjust if necessary.

1.With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, move the deck to the mid height position (third or fourth notch) using the deck lift lever. Carefully rotate the RH blade

(nearest the discharge chute) so that it is parallel with the tractor frame.

2.Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground and the rear of the blade tip to the ground. The front measurement taken should be approximately 1⁄4” less than the rear measurement. Determine whether the front of the deck has to be raised or lowered.

3.Working at the front of the tractor, loosen the two hex lock nuts at the front of the deck hanger rod. Thread the lock nuts away from the hex nuts behind them. Refer to Fig. 6-6.

4.Use a open end wrench to turn the inner hex nuts to adjust the front of the deck. Turn the hex nuts clockwise to raise the front of the deck, or counterclockwise to lower the front of the deck. Adjust the hex nuts evenly so that the deck hanger rod is at the front of both slots in the hanger bracket on the front of the deck. See Fig. 6-6.

Adjustment Gear

 

Hex Cap Screw

 

 

 

 

Lower Front

Raise Front

 

Figure 6-5

of Deck

of Deck

5.

To even the deck turn the adjustment gear, located

 

 

 

immediately behind the hex cap screw, clockwise

Figure 6-6

 

 

(rearward) to lower the left side of the deck. Turn the gear

 

 

 

 

 

counter-clockwise (toward front) to raise the left side of the 5.

Retighten the two hex lock nuts when properly adjusted.

 

deck. See Fig. 6-5.

 

 

6.The deck is properly leveled when both blade tip measurements, as described earlier, are equal.

7.Retighten the hex cap screw in the left deck adjustment bracket when proper adjustment is achieved.

20Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments