Lawn Care & Mowing Information

Uneven Cutting

Uneven Cutting

Uneven cutting is waviness or smooth troughs in the lawn surface. Uneven cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment.

CAUSE

SOLUTION

 

Deck is not leveled correctly

Level the deck correctly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blades are dull or worn

Sharpen or replace the blades

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blades are damaged

Replace the blades

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deck is clogged with grass clippings

Clean out the deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deck shell is damaged

Repair or replace the deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mower spindle is bent or loose

Repair or replace the spindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blades are installed incorrectly

Reinstall the blades correctly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scalping

 

 

Scalping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground. Scalping can be caused by the mower deck misadjustment, unevenness in the lawn, or by mower deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast.

CAUSE

SOLUTION

Lawn is uneven or bumpy

Roll or level the lawn

 

 

 

 

Mower deck cutting height is set too low

Raise the cutting height

 

 

 

 

Ground speed is too fast

Slow down

 

 

 

 

Deck is not leveled correctly

Correctly level the deck

 

 

 

 

Tire pressure is low or uneven

Check and inflate the tires

 

 

 

 

Stingers

Stingers

Stingers are sparse patches of uncut grass left behind the mower. Stingers are usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.

CAUSE

SOLUTION

Blades are not sharp or are nicked

Sharpen your blades

 

 

Blades are worn down too far

Replace your blades

 

 

Engine speed is too slow

Always mow at full throttle

 

 

Ground speed is too fast

Slow down

 

 

Deck is plugged with grass

Clean out the mower

LC-7

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Simplicity ZT2561 manual Uneven Cutting, Scalping, Stingers