The Dealer Strikes Again: BX2360 Mower Deck Adjustment

snpower · Mar 28, 2014

I called Barlow's - where I got the machine from. Service guys said (1) first check the bolts on the lift arms. IF they are hitting the frame, they have to be screwed down some. If they are NOT hitting the frame, (2) Go to the left rear fender and then adjust that bolt a couple of turns. Did I mention I fly jets for a living. They are so much simpler!! Pull up - houses get smaller. Push down - houses get bigger... The bolts on the lift arms are well clear of the deck, but are set at quite different heights from one another. I guess the deck is level (nervous). I ended up adjusting the bolt under the rear fender again to get into the TOP position. Once it is there, I have to continue to spin it clockwise if I want to lower the deck out of TOP to my desired cutting height. It won't turn counter-clockwise. I am calling it good.

radioman · Mar 28, 2014

hieght knob doesnt turn counterclockwise. Always lift deck all the way first before moving knob. If you find you have to adjust again.. I think you have a broken nut on the adjustment bolt. My was broken off after few years of use.

The Fred · Mar 28, 2014

Did somebody say SPRING?

Still 3.5 feet of snow on the ground here. Hope it warms up soon.

Fred

radioman · Mar 28, 2014

View attachment 367684hieght knob doesnt turn counterclockwise. Always lift deck all the way first before moving knob. If you find you have to adjust again.. I think you have a broken nut on the adjustment bolt. My was broken off after few years of use.

Tollster · Mar 28, 2014

Gator6x4 said:
Time to stop by the local John Deere Dealer. No not to trade, to obtain a part. JD make a plastic gauge device to level decks. Cost less than ten dollars. A wonderful tool, one that you will wonder how you ever mowed grass without owning one. John Deere Leveling Gauge for Mower Deck Blade Height - AM130907

Thank you!

RaydaKub · Mar 28, 2014

GolfAddict said:
It's the same bolt you adjusted before under the fender. There is sometimes some confusion about this. Ray's tractor is a bit earlier series, and the adjustment is different for those.

That's a good point about different tractor generations. To be honest, I had forgotten about that rod (the BX2230 has it on the driver's right side). When I read the OP's description, it sounded to me like the 2 lift arms that actually connect to the mower were possibly too short so that the mower hit the frame before it got high enough to turn the height control cam into the TOP position. However the other line of thought is just as valid (and from the sounds of it, more likely). The 3ph hits its top position before the mower linkage comes up high enough to all the cam to be turned to TOP. If adjusting the 2 lift arms care would need to be taken to maintain level. The pull rod under the fender is not going to mess up the level adjustment.

PeterK · Mar 29, 2014

That a great JD gauge and I might have to get one for $7. But for free, I just cut two equal sized wood blocks to ~2-1/4" and level from there. Works for me.

btw- dummy me used to try to measure with a tape measure. Took way too long.

KTucke · Jun 4, 2014

What is the worst case scenario if it's not level? Dealer set it up and I never even thought to check. There is no glaring signs its not level. Though I must admit I've used it twice and was not thrilled with how it cut. Also where is the whirring noise? What RPM's do you cut at?

rbarker · Jun 5, 2014

KTucke said:
What is the worst case scenario if it's not level? Dealer set it up and I never even thought to check. There is no glaring signs its not level. Though I must admit I've used it twice and was not thrilled with how it cut. Also where is the whirring noise? What RPM's do you cut at?

The quality of cut is the glaring sign that it's not adjusted properly. It should cut smooth and even butt misadjusted it will leave high and low spots, ridges, etc. you should be running at close to wide open throttle, I run around 2900 to 3000. It whirs pretty good at that speed, at least mine does.

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