Mower deck level

[sgtsampay 117]

Hello all i just wanted to confirm how to level a mower deck and what is the normal cutting setting that most people use.

So far, i have been using the 4th highest notch on the setting for cutting and to level the deck, I would take level and put it on the deck. Then I would tighten the nut o nthe little rid on the back of the mower till the deck becomes level. Is this the correct way to do it?

Also, when leveled, the deck doesn't drop to the ground much when I lower the handle. Is that normal? BTW, the deck I'm talking about is my 42in RD. Thanks.

[Jim_M 179]

Keep your grass at least 2/12" tall to discourage weeds. The front of the deck should be 1/4" lower than the rear, measured at the tips of the center blade.

[sgtsampay 117]

Ok, then whats the best way to adjsut the level of the deck and such? Also, how high should the deck be raised?

[Jim_M 179]

Adjust it with the rod at the center rear of the deck and mow at least 2 1/2" high.

[tunahead72 2,536]

Bobby,

I'm no expert on these decks, but I do have a couple of 42" side dischargers (adjusted similarly), and can tell you what the owner's manual says:

• [*:1aijsdtj]Tractor on a level floor, tires properly inflated (it matters);[*:1aijsdtj]Height control lever pin in center hole of quadrant;[*:1aijsdtj]Lower the mower deck;[*:1aijsdtj]Place your level on a flat area of the deck, so it runs in the same direction as the footrests;[*:1aijsdtj]Check the trunnion at the end of the level adjustment rod, make sure it's installed in the hole nearest to the gage wheel support shaft;[*:1aijsdtj]Adjust the nut on the level adjustment rod until the deck is level, then back the nut out one complete turn to lower the front of the mower slightly.

That should do it. I sometimes get slightly different results depending on where I place my level. I tend to put it on the actual deck area (not on the pulley cover, for example), check it on both the left and right sides of the mower, get it as close to level on both sides as I can, and then back the nut off that one last turn, works pretty well. I usually eyeball it when I'm done to make sure the front of the deck is a little lower than the rear.

If you're getting "streaks" of uncut grass when you mow, first check the basics -- you should be operating at full throttle, blades should be sharp, underside of deck should be clean, try lowering your ground speed. If those don't help, you can try raising the front of the mower (by getting it level, and then turning the adjustment nut in one full turn).

Also, I mow a lot in the highest two settings of the quadrant, I don't see a lot of difference either when I lower the deck to the ground, you should see much more of a change when you're using the lower positions on the quadrant.

Hope this helps!

[sgtsampay 117]

Thanks guy. I know what I'm doing tonight. So, is the third hole down the right setting to mow on? Also, how tight should the mule drive belt be?

[tunahead72 2,536]

So, is the third hole down the right setting to mow on?

The third hole in the quadrant is the "right" one if you want to mow about 2-1/2" high, the other holes set the height to a range from 1-1/2" to 3-1/2" (at least nominally). My lawn isn't great quality, lots of weeds, etc., so I usually mow at one of the two highest settings.

Also, how tight should the mule drive belt be?

By the book, you should be able to depress the top part of the belt about 1" halfway between the pulleys. There's some other more recent advice somewhere here, I should be able to find it pretty quick, I'll post a link when I do.

Do you have manuals for this mower? There's an Operating and Maintenance Instructions manual, and an Attachment Parts Manual that I believe will cover both of the decks you have listed in your signature (or at least close enough). They're available from the Yahoo Wheel Horse group -- if you don't feel like looking there, I have pdf copies I can send you, send me a PM if you're interested.

[tunahead72 2,536]

Here's that link I mentioned, about tightening the mule drive belt. I tend to do something very close to what Duff suggests, works pretty well for me, but some of the other ideas sound good too.

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=28093