Checking and Adjusting Mower Deck Level

CAUTION: Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower:

• Disconnect spark plug wire(s) or battery negative (-) cable to prevent engine from starting accidently.
• Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

NOTE: Mower deck wheels should not contact the ground when leveling the mower deck.

Method One

1. Make sure machine is on a flat, level surface.

2. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

3. Check that tires are inflated to correct tire pressure. Tire pressure is marked on the side of the tire.

4. Raise deck to highest position.

5. 
   GXAL41980-UN-04MAR13

   107 cm (42 in.) mower deck shown

   Place three short 51 mm (2 in.) blocks of wood under the edges (A) of the mower deck.

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6. Lower mower deck to the 63 mm (2.5 in.) cutting height position.

   For D130 models, lower deck to 57 mm (2-1/4 in.) cutting height position.

7. Check that the mower deck is level and lightly touching each of the three wooden blocks.

   • 
     PY21324-UN-19AUG14

     If the rear of the mower deck is not touching the rear blocks, or is sitting heavily on the blocks, adjust the rear lift links by turning the leveling nut (B) on each lift link. The blocks should be able to easily slide in and out beneath the mower deck when the mower deck is correctly adjusted.

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   • 
     PY19180-UN-23JAN14

     107 cm (42 in.) mower deck shown

     If the front of the mower deck is not lightly touching the front block, adjust the front draft arm by turning the nut (C).

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8. Raise the cutting height to the next highest position and remove the three wooden blocks.

9. Turn the nut (C) on the front draft arm counterclockwise 1-2 full turns so that the front of the deck is 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.) lower than the rear. This adjustment prevents “double cutting,” which wastes horsepower and causes brown grass tips.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Mower Deck, Front-to-Back	Height	1/8-1/4 in. (3-6 mm)

Method Two

NOTE: An optional mower deck leveling gauge (AM130907) is available from your John Deere dealer. It allows for precision mower deck leveling by measuring mower deck level at the blade tips.

1. Make sure machine is on a flat, level surface.

2. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

3. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

4. Move mower lift handle to preferred cutting height.

5. Measure mower deck level (side-to-side).

   1. 
      GXAL41983-UN-04MAR13

      A convenient leveling gauge (A) (AM130907) is available from your dealer.

      Position mower blades as follows and measure from each outside blade tip (B) to the level surface.

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   2. 
      GXAL41984-UN-04MAR13

      Turn left blade (C) as shown. Hold drive belt and turn right blade (D) as shown. Take measurement for both blades.

      The difference between blade measurements must not be more than specified distance.

      Item	Measurement	Specification
      Mower Deck Blade Outside Tips to Ground (Difference)	Distance	1/8 in. (3 mm)

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   3. 
      PY21325-UN-19AUG14

      Adjust mower deck level, if necessary, by turning rear nuts (E) clockwise to raise the side of the mower deck, or counterclockwise to lower the mower deck.

6. Measure mower level (front-to-rear).

   1. 
      GXAL41986-UN-04MAR13

      Turn right blade (F) so blade tip points straight forward.

   2. Measure from blade tip to the surface. Take measurement for both blades.

      The front blade tip must be specified distance lower than rear blade tip.

      Item	Measurement	Specification
      Mower Deck Blade Outside Tips to Ground (Difference)	Distance	3–6 mm (1/8 -1/4 in.)

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   3. 
      PY19193-UN-27JAN14

      107 cm (42 in.) mower deck shown

      Adjust mower deck level, if necessary, by turning the nut (G) counterclockwise to lower the front of deck or clockwise to raise front of deck.