leveling MMM on 4400

[Mike_S]

I seem to make the simple procedure of leveling the 60" MMM on my 4400 much more difficult and time-consuming than should be necessary--even when following the directions in the manual. Do any of you have any shortcuts or suggestions that work better than the directions in the manual and LOTS of trial and error? Mike_S

 

[MJB]

No real shortcuts but I do have a couple of suggestions. First, I found it easiest to adjust the side to side level first and then the front to back. When doing the front to back level write down the height of the front and back of the blade (I used the one on the right side because it was easiest to reach through the discharge chute) then remove the front connections and turn each side one revolution and re-install. Remeasure the blade heights and compare to the first set of numbers. This should give you a fair idea of how many revolutions are needed on the front connections to get you close to the proper height. Since I take the deck off between mowings quite often, I also installed a set of lock nuts on the height adjusters for the rear of the deck to keep them from getting knocked out of adjustment when putting the deck on ond off. Also, when I drop the deck off, I back off the height stop on the left side of the machine 5 turns so that the deck will set on the wheels for removal. That way, when I put the deck back on I make all the connections, lift the deck, and then just turn the height stop in 5 turns to set the deck back at the correct cutting height. Hope this helps.

 

[WCarlson]

Mike,
I solved the problem by doing it just once using the JD cutting height gauge ( a little yellow plastic device available at the JD dealer for about $5.00). Then once it was level, I used Loctite 290 Threadlocker on the adjusting nuts. The 290 is for use on assembled fittings, it penetrates and locks up the adjustment.
Bill

 

[tractorhal]

Mike-S, I have 72" but used the locknuts to hold the yokes from turning. I had a problem with front tires hitting deck. New brackets hopefully fixed that. But when you turn full rt. or lft. the front tires scuff the lawn.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with MJB, and would only add that you get the tire pressures back to the same pressure as when you leveled it the previous time. Some that I know of, just level the deck by adjusting the tire pressures (after the initial leveling is done).