Adjust Mower Level Using Deck Leveling - Method 2

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.

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

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

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

  4. MXT008660
    MXT008660-UN-03OCT13

    Tool box lid has been removed for clarity.

    Remove exact adjust wrench (A) stored in tractor tool box (B).


  5. Raise gauge wheels to highest setting.

  6. Set mower height control knob set at 2.5, then lower deck against stop.


Adjust Mower Level (Side-to-Side):

  1. Turn left blade parallel to axle.

  2. Hold drive belt and turn right blade parallel to axle.

  3. The difference between blade measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in).

    MXAL41824
    MXAL41824-UN-18FEB13

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

    Measure distance from each outside blade tip (B) to the level surface.


  4. 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 the other side in the opposite direction.

    MXT020608
    MXT020608-UN-13JUN17

    Raise or lower left or right sides of deck until outside blade tips are within specified distance from level surface. Within 3 mm (1/8 in) vertical height of each other.
    Outside Blade Vertical Height Tips (Right-to-Left)Distance6.35—7.00 cm (2.5—2.75 in)

    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.


  5. 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 the 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):

  1. Turn left blade so tip points straight forward.

  2. Measure distance between the front blade tip to the level surface.

  3. MXT020611
    MXT020611-UN-14JUN17

    Raise or lower front of deck as necessary. Ensure gage to tip of blade measures 3 mm (1/8 in) less than side to side blade tip measurement.

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

    2. Turn two front nuts (B) 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 (C) 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 the ground, install the front draft hanger bracket and raise the deck 2-3 inches off the ground. Using the exact adjust wrench, lower the right and left side one turn. Lower the deck, remove front draft hanger bracket and reconfirm deck rests firmly on the ground.


    7. MXT017382
      MXT017382-UN-26APR16

      Check mower deck draft arm latch (D) 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.

      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:

      • MXT017383
        MXT017383-UN-18FEB16

        MXT017384
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        Deck up-stop (E) and frame (F) have a gap.

    10. If no gap exists, lower mower deck slightly to remove tension in system. Use exact adjust wrench (G) to equally lower right and left side of mower deck. Repeat until there is approximately 6.4 mm (1/4 in) gap.


  4. Return the exact adjust wrench to its storage location.

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

  6. Lower mower deck.

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

JK79365,00008BD-19-20170807