Leveling Mower Deck

Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower:

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

Mower deck anti-scalp wheels should not contact the ground.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety section.)

2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.

3. Inspect mower blades for:

   • Sharpness.
   • Damage.
   • Bent blades.
   
   

Checking Level (Side-to-Side)

Mower deck anti-scalp wheels should not contact the ground.

1. Adjust mower deck to 76 mm (3 in) cutting height position.

2. 
   TCAL43602-UN-26MAR13

   Discharge chute raised for photo clarity.

   Position right mower blade (A) (discharge side) perpendicular to direction of travel.

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3. Use a short ruler or a leveling gauge (Part No. AM130907) to check the mower blade level.

   Measure from outside blade tip to the ground.

4. Position left mower blade perpendicular to direction of travel.

5. Measure from outside blade tip to the ground.

   • The difference between measurements should be no greater than 3 mm (1/8 in).
   
   

6. If side-to-side level is not within the tolerance, an adjustment is necessary.

Adjusting Level (Side-to-Side)

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A - Bolt

B - Square Hole

C - Adjusting Bolt

D - Pivot Bracket

E - Lift Chain

1. Support the weight of the deck with proper lifting device to relive tension from lift chain (E).

2. Loosen bolt (A) on both sides of mower deck.

3. Loosen bolt (C) on pivot bracket (D) on both sides of mower deck.

4. Insert 1/2 in drive ratchet in square hole (B) and reposition pivot bracket (D) and tighten hardware to specification.

   Bolts	Torque	61 N·m (45 lb·ft)

   Procedure may need to be performed several times to obtain correct measurements.

5. When adjustments have been made, verify measurements.

Checking Level (Front-to-Rear)

1. Set height-of-cut (HOC) to the 76 mm (3 in) cutting height position.

2. Position right mower blade (discharge side) parallel to direction of travel.

3. Measure from front blade tip to the ground.

4. Turn blade 180° and measure from rear blade tip to the ground.

5. The height (A) of the rear blade tip should be between 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in) higher than the front blade tip.

   
   TCAL43605-UN-26MAR13

   If the front-to-rear level is not within the given tolerance, an adjustment is necessary.

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