Adjust Mower Level Using Deck Leveling Gauge - Method 1

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

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

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If lift arms are not adjusted correctly mower deck lift system can be damaged. Check adjustment each time mower is installed to allow gap between mower deck up stops and frame at full lift height.

  1. Park machine safely on a hard, level surface. (See Parking Safely.)

  2. Inflate tires to correct pressure. (See Tire Pressures in the SPECIFICATIONS section of your Operator’s Manual.)

  3. Raise mower deck to highest (transport) position by pulling back on upper hydraulic lever.

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    Tool box lid has been removed for clarity.

    Remove mower deck level gauge (A) and exact adjust wrench (B) stored in tractor tool box (C).


  5. Raise gage wheels to highest setting.

  6. Set the mower height control knob to 2.5, then lower deck against stop by pushing forward on upper hydraulic lever.

  7. Raise gage wheels to highest setting.

  8. MXT017381
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    Locations of adjustment points vary slightly between decks:

    • Two adjustment points (D) are on left and right rear of deck rim in front of rear tires.
    • The third adjustment point (E) is on front left deck hanger bracket.



Adjust Mower Level (Side-to-Side):

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    Place gauge (A) under deck at left rear portion of rim (B).


  2. MXAL41817
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    Left-hand side shown

    Adjust deck height on left side of tractor until gauge just slips under deck rim.

    1. Insert exact adjust wrench (C) into adjustment nut (D) above draft arm.

    2. Turn wrench clockwise to raise lift arm.

    3. Turn wrench counterclockwise to lower lift arm.


  3. Place gauge on the floor under deck at right rear portion of rim.

  4. Raise or lower right side of deck using exact adjust wrench on right side of vehicle.

  5. NOTE: If an adjustment of more than 3 mm (1/8 in) is required, adjust both points alternately. A large adjustment on one side can move other side in the opposite direction.

    Repeat adjustment as necessary (Confirm gauge (A) just slips under deck on both sides).


Adjust Mower Level (Front-to-Back):

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    Place gauge (A) at the third adjustment point under front left deck hanger bracket.


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    Raise or lower front of deck as necessary until gauge just slips under front deck hanger bracket adjustment point:

    1. Loosen two rear nuts (B) on front deck hanger.

    2. Turn two front nuts (C) clockwise to raise front of mower deck; turn counterclockwise to lower front of mower deck.

    3. Once front of deck is at desired height, verify that there is no gap at location (D) on both right and left side.

    4. Tighten rear nuts after adjusting. Once again verify that no gap was created after tightening rear nuts.

    5. Raise deck and turn height control knob to the lowest setting. Lower deck to ground and remove front draft hanger bracket. Confirm that the deck is firmly sitting on the ground at front and back of deck.

    6. If deck is not resting on ground, install front draft hanger bracket and raise deck 2—3 inches off ground. Using the exact adjust wrench, lower right and left side one turn. Lower deck, remove front draft hanger bracket and reconfirm deck rests firmly on the ground.


    7. MXT017911
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      Check mower deck draft arm latch (E) and make sure that it releases mower deck without too much force. If deck does not rest on ground pressure will not allow latch to release.

      NOTE: One full turn with exact adjust wrench is approximately 3 mm (1/8 in) on mower deck.

    8. Install front draft hanger, fully raise mower, and adjust height control knob to desired height.


    9. With mower deck in its fully raised position, verify:

      • MXT017912
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        MXT017913
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        The deck up-stops (F) and frame (G) have a gap.

    10. If no gap exists, lower mower deck slightly to remove tension in system. Use exact adjust wrench (H) to equally lower right and left side of the mower deck. Repeat until there is approximately 6.4 mm (0.25 in) gap.


  3. Return mower deck level gauge and exact adjust wrench to their storage positions.

  4. Adjust mower height control knob to desired cutting height.

  5. Lower mower deck.

  6. Adjust gage wheels so they clear the ground by 3 mm (1/8 in) to 13 mm (1/2 in).

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