•Carefully turn the outer blades of the mower deck so that the ends of the blades point to the front and rear of the deck. See Figure 21.
Figure 21
•Measure the distance from the front cutting edge tip of the blade to the ground. Then measure the distance from the rear cutting edge tip to the ground. Repeat to measure the outer blade on the other side of the deck. The front blade tip measurement should be approximately 1/4" less than the rear measurement, and the measurements should be approxi- mately equal from side to side.
•If the difference between the front and rear blade tip heights is greater than 1/4 inch, the front lift rods assemblies should be shortened. If less than 1/4 inch, the rod assemblies should be lengthened.
•If adjustment is necessary, loosen the jam nuts and turn them away from the ball joints on the front end of the front lift rod assembly on each side of the tractor. See Figure 22.
•On each side of the tractor, use a 9/16" wrench on the flats of each rod to turn the rod. Turn each rod as shown in Figure 22 to shorten the rod and raise the front of the deck, or to lengthen the rod and lower the front of the deck.
•Adjust both front lift rods in small increments, while continuing to
Use 9/16" Wrench 
on Rod Flats 
Lengthen
Shorten Loosen
Jam Nut
Figure 22
•If performing the initial leveling of the mower deck,
16