Zero Turn Leaving Streaks

[LD1]

I guess it depends on just what is the OP calling "streaks"

Are we talking uneven cut heights between passes...like 1/2" different or so?

Or ate we talking shagging strips of uncut grass?

 

[Fuddy1952]

To get even cut each blade has to be balanced too. Any hardware or mower shop will have the inexpensive stepped cylindrical blade level checking tool. Every time I sharpen a blade it gets balance checked with the tool before reinstall. I also use a marker to mark each blade as to up side to reduce confusion as to which way the blade mounts on the spindle. It saves time wasted flipping them right side up....

You can buy a balance tool also inexpensive, a stepped cone. But here's something my grandfather thought of many years ago, I always thought it was creative. There was a post in our garage near the work bench. He held a level on it about 5 feet off of the floor then drew a pencil mark on that level line.
He then took a large nail and sharpened the side of it, so that one section of round nail had a place sharpened like a steep roof point. He drove it in middle of line up to the sharp area.
If you put a blade on it (center hole hung on nail), it was balanced when it was even with line.

 

[Creamer]

Also remember most manufacturers recommend the front be slightly lower than rear.

I have always heard the other way around the front slightly higher. Having the deck lower in front will cause streaks but it has to be very noticeable.

The OP did mention what type of streaks - narrow uncut streaks, wide uncut streaks, gage wheel track streaks, edge of deck mismatch to next pass, between the blade streaks. There are a lot of different streaks.

 

[JCByrd24]

Nope deck should be lower in front 1/8" -1/4" so the grass is cut just once and is discharged properly (the front of the blades rotate towards the chute). It's in JD manuals and likely others as well.

 

[Coyote machine]

You can buy a balance tool also inexpensive, a stepped cone. But here's something my grandfather thought of many years ago, I always thought it was creative. There was a post in our garage near the work bench. He held a level on it about 5 feet off of the floor then drew a pencil mark on that level line.
He then took a large nail and sharpened the side of it, so that one section of round nail had a place sharpened like a steep roof point. He drove it in middle of line up to the sharp area.
If you put a blade on it (center hole hung on nail), it was balanced when it was even with line.

I was referring to the 'cone' tool which does a good job of balancing- I just couldn't come up with the word cone when I described it.
I'm also familiar with the hang it on the nail trick- though have never used it. Is that like phones when there was a dial thing on the front with holes in it?:laughing:

 

[4570Man]

I have always heard the other way around the front slightly higher. Having the deck lower in front will cause streaks but it has to be very noticeable.

The OP did mention what type of streaks - narrow uncut streaks, wide uncut streaks, gage wheel track streaks, edge of deck mismatch to next pass, between the blade streaks. There are a lot of different streaks.

Not sure where that information came from. The front should be lower.

 

[Creamer]

Not sure where that information came from. The front should be lower.

Not sure why I was believing that. I looked it up in my manual and you are correct - the front slightly lower but very slightly so that you do not notice the difference between the grass that is cut at the front of the blade and the grass that is cut at the middle of the blade path.

 

[jay3534]

All good answers and thanks.
There are 2 streaks that seem to be between the blades.
I will check everything listed and must admit that speed may be the answer as it has been so wet that the grass may be taller than normal.

Thanks again

 

[4get gto]

There are 2 streaks that seem to be between the blades

I know it's to obvious but you sure the blades are the right size? Streaks between 2 blades makes me think that.

 

[LD1]

IF the streaks between the blades is totally untouched, then I'd agree the wrong blades.

But mowing too fast for conditions......or deck plugged up and needing a scraping.....both will leave ragged uncut strips between the blades. Dont know why thats where it starts, but it just does. The strips will look ragged and obviously look like the mower "tried" to cut....but failed