How to Level a Lawn Mower Deck [Video] | Troy-Bilt® (2024)
Learning how to level a lawn mower deck is one of the keys to achieving a premium quality cut for your grass, since it helps to ensure the mower blade is at the correct distance from the ground on both sides, and that it is also positioned correctly from front to back.
You can use a measuring tool to measure how far the blade is from the ground on both sides of the deck, which should be within 1/16 inch from one side to the other.
If you find that the measurements are off, you’ll want to begin the levelling process by first checking tire pressures, following instructions on your operator’s manual, and making sure the front tire pressures are equal and inflated to the correct pressure.
Next you may need to level the deckfrom side to side and also ensure the deck is adjusted to the correct pitch forward, which allows for maximum vacuum up into the deck.
The following instructions detail those steps, helping you to level the deck belt on a Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower. Depending on your model, the instructions may vary slightly. Always be sure to check your operator’s manual for detailed deck levelling instructions.
Instructions to Level a Lawn Mower Deck
Be sure the mower is on a flat level surface. Turn the engine off and make sure it is cool. Remove the ignition key. Disconnect the spark plug ignition wire and engage the parking brake.
To level the deck from the front to rear, place the deck lift lever in the middle position.
Wearing gloves, rotate the blade closest to the discharge chute parallel to the lawn mower.
Measure the height of the front blade tip to the ground. Next, measure the height of the rear blade tip to the ground. Refer to your operator’s manual for proper height differences between front and rear.
To raise the front of the deck, tighten the hex nut. If the front of the deck needs to be lowered, loosen the hex nut.
Wearing gloves for protection, level the deck from side to side by rotating the blades perpendicular to the lawn mower.
Measure the height of the blade tips on each side of the deck from the ground.
Adjust the deck by loosening the hex bolt on the left hangar bracket.
Raise or lower the deck by turning the adjustment gear.
When both blade tips have the same measurement from the ground, tighten the hex bolt.
Measure the height of the blade tips on each side of the deck from the ground. Adjust the deck by loosening the hex bolt on the left hangar bracket. Raise or lower the deck by turning the adjustment gear. When both blade tips have the same measurement from the ground, tighten the hex bolt.
For most effective results, a lawn mower deck should have a pitch, or height difference of 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch between the front of the deck to the back of the deck. Naturally, this makes the sweet spot about 1/4-inch of pitch, depending on the mower model.
Raise the front of the deck by tightening the inner hex nut. Loosen the inner hex nut to lower the front of the deck. Once the deck is at the proper level, tighten the lock nut to secure. Wearing gloves for protection, level the deck from side to side by rotating the blades perpendicular to the lawn mower.
If you've checked and sharpened your mower blades, but your riding mower is cutting uneven, then it may be that the mower deck requires leveling. This process helps ensure the mower blade is at the correct distance from the ground on both sides of the mower and the blade is positioned correctly from front to back.
The highest setting on your mower! The top setting for most mowers gives a cutting height between 3.25 and 4 inches. This is best for your lawn, but at a setting of 4 inches you may sometimes see some “laying-over” of turf blades that some people find undesirable.
Mower deck gauge wheels should be properly adjusted to prevent scalping grass on uneven terrain. The bottom of the wheels should sit approximately 1/8-1/2 of an inch from the ground, depending on your cutting height.
You can slide it underneath, push down until it touches the blade tip, and then note the exact measurement. This precision ensures your mower deck is perfectly level, leading to a flawless cut every time. ---
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