Help: Attaching Deck on a WH 12-38XL

[G671 0]

Hello, 

 

I've got my first (used) riding mower, so I'm a newbie to DIY maintenance on these. It's a 12-38XL. I hit a couple of small stumps, and of course, started getting uneven cuts. Anyway, I've replaced the blades, but was still getting uneven cuts. It's possible I bent something, but I wanted to try to level the deck first as a process of elimination. In my quest to try and level the deck, I've run into some trouble. I ended up removing both the side leveling brackets, as well as the front/back leveling rods (all at the same time). Now, I can't seem to get the deck reattached. When I reinsert the rods, and lift the deck back up by hand, I can't seem to get the deck to reach the side leveling brackets now. Or, even if I leave the rods out, and try to attach the side brackets first, I still can't get it to reach now (deck handle in the lowest A position). I can't get this thing reattached. What am I missing here?  What are the proper steps? 

 

Perhaps I wasn't supposed to remove them all at the same time. But, I was having trouble understanding the design. The manual says, put the deck in C position, and level side to side first. Then, level front to back with the rods. The problem is, no matter what I did, I couldn't get a proper pitch front to back (recommended difference is no more than 5/8" difference between front/back deck height). I always had more than 1 inch. But, here's what I don't understand..  If you adjust the rods to lower the back end, there's only one hole for the rod to go back into. So, even if you adjust them, you can't get the rids to go back in the hole without again readjusting the side to side brackets (I don't get that design). Anyway, that's how I ended up removing everything back there. I was trying to learn, and start from scratch. 

 

Not sure of I did a good job of explaining this LOL

Edited September 18, 2016 by G671

[G671 0]

Ok. I got it reattached. I just had to pull the deck to the side a little bit. After a more careful look, I was hitting something while trying to lift the deck. 

 

On that note, I still don't understand the front/back leveling design. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,237]

Welcome to RedSquare!

  I don't know if we have the manual for your machine or nor but it's possible.....try scrolling thru the manuals section, would be a huge advantage for your leveling issues if we had it.

 Mike.....

[Walt 339]

Welcome to RedSquare