Question about mower deck leveling...

[m60mgman]

My Simplicity Citation manual says to level the deck on a level surface, which in my case is the garage concrete floor, with pieces of 2 by 4 at the front and rear, on the left and right.

They say to add a 1/4" spacer to the rear blocks, and adjust the height with this setup. So the deck ends up 1/4" higher in the rear. Is this because the rear will be 1/4" lower when it is on the grass? Or do mowers do better when they are leveled this way?
Thanks in advance.

 

[m60mgman]

My Simplicity Citation manual says to level the deck on a level surface, which in my case is the garage concrete floor, with pieces of 2 by 4 at the front and rear, on the left and right.

They say to add a 1/4" spacer to the rear blocks, and adjust the height with this setup. So the deck ends up 1/4" higher in the rear. Is this because the rear will be 1/4" lower when it is on the grass? Or do mowers do better when they are leveled this way?
Thanks in advance.

 

[automech]

I think you want the front edge lower so the blades cut the grass off once at the leading edge of the deck rather than cutting the same grass a bunch of times as you roll over it, which is what would happen if the front of the deck was higher than the rear.

 

[automech]

I think you want the front edge lower so the blades cut the grass off once at the leading edge of the deck rather than cutting the same grass a bunch of times as you roll over it, which is what would happen if the front of the deck was higher than the rear.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust.

 

[Doc_Bob]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust. )</font>

What is "streaking"? I am not sure what it looks like,Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust. )</font>

What is "streaking"? I am not sure what it looks like,Bob

 

[neverenough]

It has to do with the design of your deck and the lift system used. Leveling each deck is a little different.

 

[neverenough]

It has to do with the design of your deck and the lift system used. Leveling each deck is a little different.

 

[ovrszd]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust. )</font>

What is "streaking"? I am not sure what it looks like,Bob )</font>

Streaking means your deck is cutting the grass at different heights depending on which area of the deck runs over it. For example if you lower the front too much and mow a swath across your lawn you will notice that the grass is cut shorter where the center of each blade ran. That's because the deck is leaning forward and when the blade turns it is cutting lower at the forward edge of its circle than it is at the sides or rear. So your pattern would be uneven. Trust me on this one, if your deck gets out of adjustment, and it will, you will notice streaking. A deck that is high in the front will also bog down and plug easier. You will notice a significant ability to go faster after you level the deck. Last note, always do your measuring at the ends of the blades and not the bottom of the deck. Turn the center blade for and aft. Measure the forward tip to the ground. Turn each side blade until they are crossways and measure the height at each outside end. The two side measurements should be the same. The front measurement should be approximately 1/4 lower.

 

[ovrszd]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Yes, you want the front slightly lower, but not too much or it will streak your lawn because the area in the center of each blade will cut lower that the area at the sides of each blade. General rule, if it's not streaking, don't adjust. )</font>

What is "streaking"? I am not sure what it looks like,Bob )</font>

Streaking means your deck is cutting the grass at different heights depending on which area of the deck runs over it. For example if you lower the front too much and mow a swath across your lawn you will notice that the grass is cut shorter where the center of each blade ran. That's because the deck is leaning forward and when the blade turns it is cutting lower at the forward edge of its circle than it is at the sides or rear. So your pattern would be uneven. Trust me on this one, if your deck gets out of adjustment, and it will, you will notice streaking. A deck that is high in the front will also bog down and plug easier. You will notice a significant ability to go faster after you level the deck. Last note, always do your measuring at the ends of the blades and not the bottom of the deck. Turn the center blade for and aft. Measure the forward tip to the ground. Turn each side blade until they are crossways and measure the height at each outside end. The two side measurements should be the same. The front measurement should be approximately 1/4 lower.