60" MMM Leveling

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

60\" MMM Leveling

I had the deck off today to check that I had enough grease in the bearings, I did. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif So I sharped the blades and put the deck back on. I never had the deck level and thought I would see what I could do to make it level. Well after many tries I got the deck level. But the max height of the cut is about 2 7/8" with the selector knob on 4. If I try to go higher the deck will not lock on the Top setting.

So may queston is how close are you to the dial setting on the deck height? Mine is about an inch off, 3" more or less is = to 4 on the knob.

Any hints as to make the deck level and still lock the deck in the top setting?

Oh by the way Larry's axle wheels made the process of holding the deck upright safe and easy. If you do not have a set of axles, get some! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" MMM Leveling

It was rainy in Western PA today so I messed with my deck all afternoon. I had the deck off to grease the spindles; mine required about 40 pumps of grease to fill. After I reinstalled the deck I ran it for a minute or two to verify that everything was OK. When I shut it down I noticed that excess grease had spun out from under the pulleys. I cleaned it off the deck and pulleys but that could be a real problem if it continues to seep and migrates onto the belt.

Tom, my blade tips are slightly less than 3.5 inches from the floor when the deck is all of the way down and the adjustment knob is set at the 3.5 setting. I use the nut and bolt method to measure the height. I found that when you make the adjustments it is important to have the tires inflated to the proper level and remove all implements from the tractor; such as the loader and weight box.

I also took the opportunity to recheck all of the adjustments. My deck is level when measured according to the directions in the manual (at the blade tips). However, it leans to the left when it is elevated to the top position. Also the left front antiscalp roller is lower than the other three rollers when the deck is at the bottom limit (3.5 setting in my case). When the deck is in the top position the right rear tire nearly rubs on the deck. The only way that I can see to adjustment front to back position is with the parallel linkage adjustment. If I adjust the parallel linkage to a shorter dimension to pull the deck forward, it raises the front of the mower to a point that is out of spec.. As I am writing this a thought just crossed my mind. Most of the adjustments are made using the floor as a point of reference. I think my garage floor is flat but I have never checked it with a straight edge. I do have a drain a few feet away from the right front corner of the deck. The floor looks flat but maybe it isn’t.

John

 

[UncleAl]

Re: 60\" MMM Leveling

<font color="blue"> "Larry's axle wheels made the process of holding the deck upright safe and easy." </font> Nothing wrong with this way, but I just use a piece of chain and the FEL to hoist her up for underdeck maintenance. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Re: 60\" MMM Leveling

JWE,

I found using a scrap piece of wood and running it across the blade to make a mark on the wood worked great to measure the height of the deck blades. I also ran the tractor up on bricks to raise the tractor so I could get my hand under the deck on the left side to take the measurement. Yes I did subtract the height of the brick from my measurement. When you put the deck knob on 2 not much room for your arm to reach under the deck. I think I will continue to move the deck up to see if I can get it close to the knob setting now that I know yours works fine. I think when I was playing with it was now completely level and that is why it would not lock in the Top position. I thought I had the deck level and then found one of the wheels touching the ground and holding up the deck. When I moved the wheel up that changed everything and had to start all over. So if you are leveling the deck make sure all the wheels are up and not touching the ground. A level deck makes a big difference in how the final cut looks.

By the way I had Larry of moweraxle .com drill and tap the wheels axles and kept the stock wheels. The wheels are holding up fine, give the zerk fitting a shot of grease, good to go. With all of the rain we are getting I have to cut the grass every 3-4 days, more seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif