KennyG
Elite Member
Level the blades, not the deck.
Uneven lawn cut
- Thread starter EdB3
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Level the blades, not the deck.
Diggin It
Super Star Member
Thing to remember is that mowing decks are suspended, not mounted rigid. As you turn on or mow while climbing or descending hills or slopes, one side may drop simply due to gravity. Weight will pull the down slope side down closer to the ground. I try to mow straight up or down hills for the most part, limiting any turning that isn't necessary. You're not likely to get a pool table smooth cut.
MossRoad
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To me, it looks like your gauge wheels were not adjusted to the same height, and, as you described, were only set to 3/8" above the ground. It looks like the scalping pictures show it on undulating ground. I think your gauge wheels hit the ground on one side and tipped your deck down on the other.
MossRoad
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One way to check would be to mow a flat area in long stripes. Go north, then go around, and go north again next to it, and again. Then see of it's even. If it is even, then the problem is definitely the wheels hitting on undulating ground. If it is not even, the problem is the deck/blades.
Industrial Toys
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Is it not as simple as the front wheels trampling down the grass prior to cutting?
LD1
Epic Contributor
Agree. Never trust the deck. Trust the blade that is actually cutting
Spindifferent
Gold Member
I measure my blade depth and level with this:
John Deere Original Equipment Depth Gauge #AM130907
You can find it and other similar third party gauges at many different resellers.
John Deere Original Equipment Depth Gauge #AM130907
You can find it and other similar third party gauges at many different resellers.
ruffdog
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Yes, that is what I use too. Use it to get the deck level side to side and the front should be slightly lower. You have to reach under and rotate the blades to put them in the best position for measuring.
beenthere
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Uneven cut could just be mowing technique. If overlapping a previous cut, that could result in different heights of lawn grass.
Some people (neighbor for one) cannot grasp that overlapping causes stepped heights of cut lawn. For example, mowing a ditch or drainage, have to run the edge of the deck at the lowest point going on first pass, and run that same edge along that point going the other direction. Then as much as possible, avoid overlapping cuts (passes) or risk steps happening. Turning without raising the deck can also cause uneven grass at the turn, and may be what is showing up in the OP's pics.
Some people (neighbor for one) cannot grasp that overlapping causes stepped heights of cut lawn. For example, mowing a ditch or drainage, have to run the edge of the deck at the lowest point going on first pass, and run that same edge along that point going the other direction. Then as much as possible, avoid overlapping cuts (passes) or risk steps happening. Turning without raising the deck can also cause uneven grass at the turn, and may be what is showing up in the OP's pics.
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