Adjusting the height of a MMM on a JD4010

[Rus91]

I recently purchased a JD 4010 with a 60" MMM. The rockshaft lever drops the mower all the way to the wheels. The manual says for best mowing results to make sure the wheels don't touch. How do you adjust the mower deck height. I could just put it in my driveway and drop the deck and raise it a slight bit. But that won't be very consistent.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Brent

 

[TerryinMD]

Rus91,

RTFM!!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

With that being said, there are a couple of things you need to do as the manual is not very helpful in this situation. You should have a limiter that allows you to stop the rocker shaft from lowering the MMM all the way down.

First adjust the wheels on the deck to the desired height. I recommend using the 3-4" adjustment holes. This allows your grass to be at the right height to keep it green and weed free.

Secondly, drop the MMM so that the wheels are somewhere near 1/4-1/2 inches off of a level surface. Then, set the limiter knob for the rocker shaft. Presto!!! You have set your deck height.

Now, if you need to adjust the sideways heights, you'll need to play with the linkage that is attached to your lower link arms. I think that the 60" MMM linkage is similar to the 54". To make this adjustment, you need to lower your MMM all the way and remove the pins to adjust the linkage rod on either side. Just turn the linkage to adjust a side - then recheck the heights. It is busy work and takes a little time.

Hope this helps.

Terry

 

[Rus91]

Thanks,

The thought occured to me to use the limiter knob to lock it in place. It is nice to have smoebody reinforce that idea.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How do you like your JD 4010? Does it seem to have enough power to get the job done? How much adjustment/control do you have with the rocker shaft? I have been looking at the 4010 and the kubota bx but am having a hard time finding someone that owns the JD

Glen

 

[jimgerken]

I have the 4100, last year's model. The 4010 is slightly less power? I'm not sure about that. But anyway, my 4100 handles the 60" deck just great. It has plenty of power, there's never a doubt about that. If it hits a thick patch of 8-10" tall grass, the engine does not slow down, it simply puts out a puff of exhaust as the pump throws in extra fuel and the RPM does not drop noticably. The 60" does scalp a bit 'cause my lawn is very rough. Any mower that's that wide will scalp I suppose. The rockshaft adjustment: Curiously, moving it 1/8 of a marked inch (using the scale decal provided) also relates to dropping the mower about that same amount. Weird coincidence. It seems very repeatable.
BTW, I set up the height and level this morning before mowing and I would recommend making yourself a little gauge block of the height you wish to cut, for instance 3" long pc of lath or trim or something. You will want to compare the left and right sides, and the cut from front to back, and you just cant read a straightedge up under there. One turn on the lift arm clevis doesnt seem like your doing much, but it seems to raise the deck 1/16" on that side. You want to be working on your flatest concrete surface when doing this. I had to toss the safety chute. It made a windrow. Works fine without it. No kids around. Don't recommend doing this but it was really piling it up with it on. I may try it on there and propped up slightly.

 

[beenthere]

Is it possible for you to post a picture of your 4010 with the 60" MMM, showing the linkage under the tractor (not the rear 3pt linkage). I've been asked to help set up one, and it seems there are some parts missing from the kit. The manual isn't a help, as it is for the larger 4110 and 4115. This would be appreciated.

 

[jyoutz]

Jim, get the mulching attachment kit. Seems like it cost about $100 from JD. I have my safety shoot on and I don't get any windrowing with the mulching kit, because the mulching action cuts up the grass very fine.

 

[jyoutz]

I bought the optional mower lift-latch kit. This allows me to float my deck and also to pin it up so that I can use my 3PH with the deck attached. It's worth the $75 that the kit cost.

 

[Rus91]

There is a difference in the rockshaft lever in the 4100 and the 4010. There is only up and down. It doesnt have any ranges or preselected knobs to set. That is my only gripe about the tractor.

 

[TerryinMD]

Rus91,

I have an older 4100 and would expect that the 4010 is not much different. My understanding is that the only major difference is that the 4010 has a slightly smaller engine.

There should be a knob and a slider to limit your draft arm height. It will be just to the right of the rocker adjustment lever. The slot for the rocker adjustment limiter is graduated and should have a range between 1 and 8 if my memory serves me correctly. Hmmm... wait a minute let me go check. Be back in a minute.

Back now... Whoops... it's 1-9 with 1 at the bottom of the slot and 9 at the top position near the rocker adjustment lever. In fact there are two slots, one for the rocker lever and one for the limiter. If you have an empty slot, I would go to your dealer and get the limiter. It may have fallen out. It is a simple device. Check your owners manual and it should explain how to use it.

Hope this helps.

Terry