Tooomuch7 52 #1 Posted July 10, 2022 Hi everyone,I have a 2000 518. The mower deck is a 52”cut,it seems to be scalping on the middle blade,any ideas what to look for or remedy the situation. The mower deck is not rusty at all,so it’s not weak. Could it have bent somehow? thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,206 #2 Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) 36 minutes ago, Tooomuch7 said: a 2000 518 Owned since new? or "new to you"? 36 minutes ago, Tooomuch7 said: 52”cut I didn't think they made a 52" ? It's probably a 48" cut, which if you measure side to side will be wider. Is there a model # tag on the deck? 36 minutes ago, Tooomuch7 said: scalping on the middle blade There's a number of things it could be, but let's see exactly what deck you're working with there first. Post some pictures of the deck if you can. 36 minutes ago, Tooomuch7 said: Could it have bent somehow? Not unless you (or someone) rammed it into an immovable object! Edited July 10, 2022 by Jeff-C175 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,474 #3 Posted July 10, 2022 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,234 #5 Posted July 11, 2022 1) Are you sure the blade is scalping and not the deck shell? An issue with the anti-scalp wheel, the bracket, or the shell in that area could all cause that. 2) If you are sure the blade is hitting the ground, what kind of shape is the spindle in? Are the bearings blown out and allowing it to drop at all? 3) What's your terrain like? My neighbor has a wider deck like that and was complaining that it didn't cut level. I leveled that thing about 6 times, but we finally determined that the issue was in fact the contour of the ground and the deck's inability to flex and accommodate said contours, which I had suspected all along, since it was only in one spot and my smaller deck doesn't do the same thing there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tooomuch7 52 #6 Posted July 11, 2022 I’m going to take it off this week and check everything. I was looking for some input on what to look for. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,815 #7 Posted July 11, 2022 Is the middle blade upside down? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tooomuch7 52 #8 Posted July 16, 2022 I’m hoping this was the problem,the bolt pictured here fell out also the bushing. I made a bushing for it,I will find out when I put the deck back on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
