318 mower deck adjustment problems

[Buster57]

Does anyone have the procedure down for adjusting a 50” mower deck for a JD318?
I think the center blade is scalping the grass so I am looking for the proper way to adjust the deck. I have never seen any instructions and do not know where to find them?
I look forward to advice from anyone who has tinkered with one of these before.
Thank you

 

[beenthere]

The manual should have the information you need.

1. Check inflation of all four tires. ~8-10 # in rear, 12-14# in front.

2. Park on flat surface.

3. Raise mower deck guide wheels to highest postition.

4. Set the height knob to the height that you want (I do 2 1/2" height).

5. Measure right and left sides from flat surface to right and left blade tips turned straight out, and set the height that you picked in #4 by adjusting the nut on the adjusting hangers on each side. Recheck after each adjustment.

6. Turn the right blade straight fore and aft. Measure under the front tip, and then under the back tip. The difference should be 1/8 to 1/4" (the front lower than the rear). If not, adjust the front bail that supports the front of the deck (shorten to raise, lengthen to lower) until the front to rear difference is obtained.

7. Lower the deck wheels so they just don't touch the flat surface. Usually about 1/4" off the surface.

If you do this, (and the blades are not bent, and are sharp), you will find you have a mean cutting machine. The Deere is designed to carry the deck, not run on the gauge wheels always in contact with the ground.

Hope this helps.

 

[Buster57]

Great Response!
Thank s

 

[kubmech]

Buster, there are alot of "cobwebs" between me and a 318 mower deck but I'll take a shot at it. The front of the deck is supported by two adjustable links and the rear is supported by two adjustable links as well. The mower height or depth is controlled by a knob somewhere on the seat deck (just below the front of the seat?). You have 4 "gauge wheels" on the deck. Make sure the gauge wheels and rollers are in good shape/not too much slop. Now it's a balancing act using the front and rear adjustment to come up with; Blade tip measurement 1/8-1/4 inch lower in the front than the back And level side to side. Using the depth knob, set the mower to cutting height (usually 3-3 1/2 inches). Then set the gauge wheels up so they ride about 1/4 inch off the ground (of course they will be a little higher in the back). There is usually a decal on the left side of the deck that provides this information, could be worn off or just covered with dirt. Before adjusting the deck, pick a flat level area (garage floor is preffered) and make sure all your tire pressures are even. I think I use to use 20 psi in the front and 10-15 psi in the rears. Most of the JD decks I can remember were full floating decks, which basically means the gauge wheels don't carry the weight of the mower. Also make sure the mower blades are in good shape and not bent. The mower depth knob basically controls the amount the mower will drop when you exend it to the down position. Hope that makes some sense to you............

 

[kubmech]

Sheesh, Beenthere beat me to it while I was responding. That's OK, nothing wrong with a little memory check.........

 

[Buster57]

How do you like that 4300? I was looking very hard at a 4310 but the numbers (financial) did not fit.

I was really impressed with the machine though.

I have the luxury of having owned several JD products and a nice Kubota.

I wish I could own both...

 

[Buster57]

Thank kubmech-somehow I will quit being called an "Indian" by my neighbors.
No disrespect to our earlier settlers, but the way my 318 works right now is really radical to say the least.
Thanks for the help!

 

[beenthere]

I like the 4300 very much. Have had no problems with it (dealer took care of the fogged dash under warranty) and use it a lot in the yard, caring for new trees, bringing logs out of the woods, and clearing snow with a front 7' Western plow. Now with the forks, ballast box, and I-match hitch - I enjoy it that much more. Hopefully someday soon I will have an excuse to put the plow on. When the ice comes I will put the homemade chains on.
I figure I am only going to go around once, so when I can get something for my toys, I do it, don't look back, and enjoy it. I give thanks for being able to do this everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Buster57]

I have had a similar problem with the dash on my Kubota. It does not fog up, but dirt and stuff that does not belong inside the glass accumulates.
I will ask my dealer to fix that also.
Thanks for the tip.
Glad you are having a positive experience with the 4300-nice looking tractor!