ADJUSTMENTS
Shut the engine off, remove the ignition key, and engage the parking brake
before making adjustments. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when
handling the blades.
Deck Leveling
NOTE: Check the mower's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires for information regarding tire pressure. Always level the
deck side-to-side before front to rear.
SIDE-TO-SIDE LEVELING
1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the
engine, remove the key from the ignition switch and disconnect the spark plug
wires. Using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of
cut position (The 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see
and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a
proper measurement can be taken.) and rotate both outside blades so that they
are perpendicular with the mower.
2. Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground
and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground. Both
measurements taken should be equal. If they are not, proceed to the next step.
3. Adjust the eyebolt (a) at the left front of the deck so that the blade-to-ground
height at the right outside blade tip matches that of the left outside blade tip.
This is done by loosening the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a) and tightening the
upper jam nut (b) to raise the deck and loosening the jam nut (b) to lower the
deck. The right outer blade tip height is fixed by the right, front eyebolt (a) so you
must adjust the left outer tip to match it (Figure 43).
4. Once the proper adjustment is made, re-tighten the jam nuts (b).
FRONT-TO-BACK LEVELING
1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the
engine, remove the key from the ignition switch, and disconnect the spark plug
wires. Using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of
cut position (The 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see
and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a
proper measurement can be taken.) and rotate both outside blades so that they
are parallel with the mower.
2. Measure the blade-to-ground height at the right rear blade tip. Again, be sure
to measure the blade tip at the rear of the right blade when aligned along the
mower centerline. The blade-to-ground height at the rear of the blade tip should
be 1/8" to 1/4" higher than the front tip. This is referred to as blade pitch. The
same height difference should be true for the left blade, measured front and
back. The pitch should not exceed 1/16" if cut height is below 1-1/2".
PRODUCT CARE
WARNING
b
a
b
Figure 43
3. Loosen the jam nuts (b) at the rear left and right of the deck eyebolts (a)
(Figure 43).
4. Start at the rear right to raise the rear of the deck, tighten the upper jam nut (b)
to raise the deck or loosen the upper jam nut (b) to lower the rear of the deck
(Figure 43).
5. Adjust the jam nut (b) at the rear left to take the "slack" out of the threaded rod
(Figure 43).
6. Tighten both lower jam nuts (b) to secure the deck adjustment (Figure 43).
7. The final adjustment would be to take the "slack" out of the left rear linkage if
the rear of the deck was raised by adjusting the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a).
Loosen the jam nuts (b) and tighten the upper jam nut (b) to remove "slack".
(Figure 43).
8. In many cases it will be necessary to adjust deck height using both eyebolt
(a) adjustments and pitch adjustment to achieve the correct blade-to-ground
heights. If you remember that the front right blade tip adjustment is fixed and
you level to that height, adjusting the decks will be simplified (Figure 43).
Adjusting the Front Gauge Wheels
Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
The front gauge wheels on the mower deck are an anti-scalp feature, and should not
ride on the ground. The front gauge wheels should be approximately 1/4-1/2" above
the ground when the deck is set in the desired height setting.
Using the deck lift handle, set the deck in the desired height setting, then check the
gauge wheel distance from the ground below. If necessary adjust the front gauge
wheels as follows:
1. Visually check the distance between the front gauge wheels and the ground. If
the gauge wheels are near or touching the ground, they should be raised. If more
than 1/2" above the ground, they should be lowered.
2. Remove the lock nut (a) securing one of the front gauge wheels (b) to the deck.
Remove the front gauge wheel (b), hex screw (c) and spacer (d) (Figure 44).
a
NOTE: There are a pair of front gauge wheels on the nose of the 60" deck.
3. Insert the hex screw (c) into one of the three index holes in the front gauge wheel
bracket (e) that will give the front gauge wheel (b) a 1/4-1/2" clearance with the
ground (Figure 44).
4. Note the index hole of the just-adjusted front gauge wheel (b), and adjust the
other front gauge wheel (b) into the respective index hole of the other front
gauge wheel bracket (e) (Figure 44).
32
WARNING
b
d
e
c
Figure 44