John Deere Freedom 42 Mower Deck

Jack_MIlls · Jun 28, 2005

I am having a problem with my Freedom 42 Mulching deck. It leaves a 2" strip of uncut grass in the middle of the mowing path. This has just started this mowing season. I changed the blades thinking that the new one that I had installed last season were dull. I checked the owners manual for the correct installation, right blade and left blade, and the installation was correct.

Ideas from anyone? HELP!

Cliff_Johns · Jun 28, 2005

I can't imagine how this would be even remotely possible. The freedom deck has two overlaping blades. To somehow cut the rest, but miss the middle two incles, the blades would have to be considerably too short. Is it possible they sold you the wrong blades? Based on your post, that doesn't seem likely either.

Even with dull blades, the center two inches should get the best cut since two blades cut that area.

The freedom deck seems to cut remarkably well even with dull blades.

When installed, the blades should be one sideways and one up-and-down, that is, they should be orthogonal. It may be possible to install them upside down, but if you've checked out the installation carefully, then that also seems unlikely. Even then, I just can't picture how the middle two inches would get missed. Sorry.

Cliff

Gatorboy · Jun 28, 2005

I would get the original blades sharpened, and then put them back on. When you take off the current set of blades, check them for length against your original ones. I sounds like the blades you have are a bit short, but that's just a guess.

Colorado · Jul 3, 2005

Hi,

Any updates on this? I'm very interested in this as I'm very seriously considering getting an LT180 with the mulching deck. How did you like the deck prior to having this issue? Did it just start out of the blue? It was working ok last year for the last cut then first time you fired it up this year it left a 2" strip in the middle? Was the tractor used for anything over the winter or did it just sit in the barn/shed/garage?

Thanks

Jack_MIlls · Jul 7, 2005

I haven't resolved the problem totally. I have raised the cutting deck 1/2" inch and that seems to help. The strip down the middle was not totally uncut, just seems to be knocked down and shreded as if the blades are dull. The deck seems to cut lower on the right side.
I was hoping to get information and adjust the deck myself, without the trip to the dealer. They have a 2-3 week backup in the service dept. this time of year and I mow twice a week.
I have had this mower for about 5 seasons now and it has performed perfectly until now.
I would buy the same thing again.

Jack

JohnP_MI · Aug 16, 2005

I had the JD 42C deck on my LX266 and used it heavily for three seasons with both the mulching attachment and side discharge. I never had a problem with it leaving a 2" uncut stripe, but I did observe the deck out-of-level problem. The cut on the left side was noticeably (~ 1/2") shorter than the cut on the right.

The mower deck manual describes a procedure to level the deck. I was able to dial-out the unevenness.

moodyinmi · Jul 31, 2009

I have this same problem with the same deck. Changed the blades, etc. Any updates on this one?

shot_gun · Jul 31, 2009

Moody check the pitch on the deck. It should be a 1/4" lower in the front then the back. Also make sure the blades are on correctly. The blades are marked left and right. Left and right as it relates to the tractor is always going forward in the direction of travel.

hilld · Aug 4, 2009

moodyinmi said:
I have this same problem with the same deck. Changed the blades, etc. Any updates on this one?

I recently purchased a X300 with a 42" deck (not sure which exact deck it is) used on craigslist and took it to the dealer for a service and new blades, the old ones looked pretty beat up, to the point where one of them had cracks and couldn't be sharpened. After the dealer did their service, I did some test cuts on my lawn and had the exact same issue. The dealer came to my place and made a few more test cuts and took the mower back. The next day they delivered it back and it cuts like a champ now. It turns out the installed the wrong blades. So long story short, you might want to check you put the correct blades on.

Derek

ctlguy · Aug 6, 2009

I could be wrong on this but I believe the original blades for that deck where side to side specific in that you could have them installed the right way (top and bottom) but on the wrong spindle. I think current inventory the edge was put on both sides of the blade so did not matter which spindle it was on. Could be that is cutting with the blunt side?

sparkyman · Jul 17, 2010

I have an LT166 John Deere which I love and do not baby. I hit a branch (big) and the blades started hitting each other. Removed the Freedom 42 mulching deck, then the blades, and repositioned the belts. Now when I cut I get the uncut grass. I looked in my manual and the blades are to be orthogonal (90 degrees to each other) and it says there is a RH and LH blade. If looking at the blades with the wheels at the top, the LH blade turns CCW and the RH turns CW. I am going to go fix my deck now. I'll let you know the outcome.

Eric

sparkyman · Jul 17, 2010

OK, I fixed my problem, which I believe indicates the problem with the original poster. I did have my Left blade in the Right and the Right on the Left. My deck, although not at a perfect 90 degrees (orthogonal) it is about 4-5 degrees off. I believe the problem is that the timing belt has slipped.

Here's what to do 1) look at your mower blades (I believe the are not close enough to 90 degrees. If they are 90 degrees then I'm "all wet." Otherwise 2) pull the mower deck out, 3) remove some of the easy bolts that hold the cover over the mowers timing belt (the cover does not have to be fully removed), 4) gently get access to the timing belt, 5) slip the belt off of a gear, 6) make the blades 90 degrees, 7) then slip the belt back on by starting it on a gear and rotate the blades. Replace the 4 bolts that held the cover and try it out.

Eric

rayikeo2 · Jul 18, 2010

Wow! Whoever designed that setup must have been smoking something. I have a 44" Perahanna mulcher and all three blades are the same with no way to put them on wrong. It works like a charm and cuts extremely even.

ronniew · Mar 26, 2011

I have a John Deere Freedom 42 mulching deck, but have no idea what it came off of. Is this a multi-fit deck or is it for a specific application? The deck I have is complete and in perfect condition; I just want to sell it.

Allsystemz · Mar 27, 2011

I've only seen those on the LT155's

NJDEER · Jun 12, 2011

I'm sure if you changed the blades you cleaned out any buildup from the underside of the deck? Aside from the wrong blades, can't think of anything else that hasn't been covered so far. Do you drop the deck frequently enough? If so, maybe you can help me out. I've dropped mine for the first time, and upon hooking it back up I am unsure how the drive belt tensioner gets attached. My setup does not match what's in the manual. My LT155 is an '01-'02 model with the sub-125,000 serial numbers. I purchased a tech manual as well and still need some help. Thanks!

konadan · Feb 23, 2012

I have a Freedom 42 mower deck and just replaced the timing belt and blades. However, though I placed the blades a perpendicular to each other, when I spin the blades they come closer and closer together until they hit each other. How can this happen and how can I fix it?:confused2:

Dutch445 · Feb 24, 2012

it sounds like the belt might not be routed correctly,
do you have your manual showing proper belt routing?

if not, maybe we can come up with the diagram
here.

welcome to TBN!

Rico59 · Feb 24, 2012

Does anyone know which mulching decks will fit an LX266.
I have a 42c deck on the machine now,or would I be better off getting a mulching kit for the deck I have?