522xi and cutting grass

[papaglide 542]

A while back I got a 522xi. I used it some, tinkered with it some, and I wasn't even sure if I liked the tractor. Hell, I even put it up on c-list. It hasn't sold. Maybe I over priced it, maybe it's not in good enough shape, I don't know but I am a firm believer in the belief that things happen for a reason. I have decided to keep it. It has become my go to grass cutting tractor over the past couple weeks. Not by design mind you. Just because it's so damn big, comfy, and has ....... a foot pedal.

Yup, I am loving the foot pedal! Once I got used to it there was no turning back. Yeah, and the power steering too.

All this being said, is the cut the same as what you get with the "classic" Wheel Horse deck? I have a 44" on the 522 and a 44" on the the 416. The 416 cuts like a carpet and the 522 will scalp somewhat and not cut as well. It looks good in spots but not as consistent as the older model. The front wheels are adjusted according to the manual.

Any "tricks" that I should know regarding the deck?

Edited June 3, 2014 by papaglide

[doc724 925]

They should both give an excellent cut.  However, the decks are designed a bit differently.  On the 416, the front rollers are not height adjustable and never touch the ground.  On the 522, the front rollers are adjustable, however, they should also never touch the ground.  they are only there to prevent scalping.  They should be adjusted to be 3/8 inch above the ground when measured on a flat level surface. 

 

Make sure the 522 deck is not "racked" (damaged).  The only way to do this properly is to measure the distance from the underside of the blades to a flat level surface.  Since it is all but impossible to measure accurately under there, I have made gage blocks in  1/8 inch height increments.  I set the mower at mid height and then find a gauge block that just fits into the gap between the blade and the garage floor.  The using the same gage block, I can rotate the blade 90 degrees to check front to back leveling and then I check one side v. the other side.  If the block does not go, or if the space between the block and the blade is too big, get the next size increment.  The deck should be level within 1/8 inch in all positions.  BTW, the 44 inch deck that was on the 5xi machines is not as robust as the 42 inch deck on the classic tractors.  Toro eliminated the 1/2 inch rod that is welded to the front of the deck to prevent damage when you hit an immovable object!

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

Mike, wish I could answer that for you. Since I bought the 416 last year going into winter I never cut the lawn with it yet. Will have to get that deck on and try it out. The xi does a good job. But my property is weird in the fact its mostly small rolling humps and valleys. If you saw it you would understand. Good question.

 

Glenn

[papaglide 542]

Thanks for the responses guys. I feel like an ass. Doc pm'd me regarding how my "44" deck really is a 48" I thought to myself, "yup it is". I reread the original post and said to myself wtf? My apologies, It's a 48" deck that I have on both machines. Now with that out of the way!

The front gauge wheels are set up to within 3/8 of the ground. My cutting level is set on the 2nd hole down from the top. The spot that the deck seems to scalp the most is the middle. I am going to have to check the level on the center blade.

[Snowmobileaddict 403]

You may have your deck set too low for your lawn surface conditions.

If the deck is already leveled side to side, with the blade tips all pointed forward the tips of the blades pointing forward should be about 1/8" lower that the tips of the blades pointing aft.

This way the blades are only cutting the grass blades "once". You can adjust blade angle front to back by adjusting the turnbuckle or trunion at the rear gauge wheel axle.

After you are dialed, in adjust your deck height to mow 2.75" to 3" tall for a healthy cut. This is all direct from the toro wheel horse deck setup manual.

[papaglide 542]

For some reason, I didn't think that this set up would be the same as the classic series. Also, for some reason I thought that the PO would have the deck dialed in. After all he owned a Wheel Horse dealership for over 20 years. I checked the front to back measurement. Much to my surprise the front measured 1 5/8 off the ground while the back was at 2 1/2!! No clue why it would be set up like THAT but it was. I raised the front up until it was as close to an eighth that I could get without using gauge blocks. I went and cut a little patch, a patch that scalped the before. Voila! No scalping. Some day I will learn to check easiest first. Thanks for your help guys.