X758 Deck leveling problems solved

[roostershooter]

Picked my machine on Tuesday. The lift arms that attach to the rockshaft were replaced. Apparently the arms have been redesigned and thicker material used. This did not improve the quality of cut. Dealer says a smaller 48 inch deck would solve my problem. A $10,000 machine and can't get a decent cut. Makes me sick.

 

[buickanddeere]

If the rockshaft arms are not indexed the same. Adjusting the linkages will even the deck at only one height setting.

 

[roostershooter]

If the rockshaft arms are not indexed the same. Adjusting the linkages will even the deck at only one height setting.

They are indexed the same now.

 

[jonsstihl]

So what is the cut quality problem you are having because Mine is the same. my levers are not indexed the same and I suspect it is the rockshaft that is twisted but I am able to level my deck only one side is all the way down and the other side is almost all the way up. i mow my lawn at approx 2.75 inches but I have to set my deck height at 3.5 on the knob. and I can't use the quick leveling gauge that comes with my 15,000 dollar tractor.

other than the setting I have no real issues with the cut quality and I'm using a powerflow to bag the clippings.

 

[roostershooter]

So what is the cut quality problem you are having because Mine is the same. my levers are not indexed the same and I suspect it is the rockshaft that is twisted but I am able to level my deck only one side is all the way down and the other side is almost all the way up. i mow my lawn at approx 2.75 inches but I have to set my deck height at 3.5 on the knob. and I can't use the quick leveling gauge that comes with my 15,000 dollar tractor.

other than the setting I have no real issues with the cut quality and I'm using a powerflow to bag the clippings.

Get you one of these...John Deere Leveling Gauge for Mower Deck Blade Height - AM1397

My problem is that the deck level seems to change from the time I leave the garage to when I mow. I can level the deck, mow 5 minutes, check it again and one side will be off. The dealer said that I should consider a lighter weight deck. My neighbor has his yard mowed with an Exmark zero turn. That's not a light weight either. His yard looks ten times better than mine. The arms that attach to the rock shaft were replaced on my machine, tech said they were wearing a bit and had a slight bit of play in them. They are #21 and # 22 in this exploded view.

 

[beenthere]

Rooster...
So after mowing 5 minutes and then you find one side is off, what has to be adjusted to get it back to level again?
That should be a clue to what is changing during the 5 minutes of mowing...

Would you go through the steps that you take to level your deck for us? Maybe we can help solve the problem.. (don't think whoever it is at your dealer making the comment knows or cares about your problem).

 

[roostershooter]

Rooster...
So after mowing 5 minutes and then you find one side is off, what has to be adjusted to get it back to level again?
That should be a clue to what is changing during the 5 minutes of mowing...

Would you go through the steps that you take to level your deck for us? Maybe we can help solve the problem.. (don't think whoever it is at your dealer making the comment knows or cares about your problem).

I use the leveling tool referenced in post #25. To level the deck you adjust the leveling bolts #25 with the tool # 20.

Other than the deck, my biggest problem is this....I traded an x540 for this x750. The x750 only had 50 some hours on it and was only 1 year old. I traded with a guy in North Carolina and my dealer is not the selling dealer. That is an issue that I can't do anything about.

 

[beenthere]

So you also go through the following steps in order ?

1. check tire pressures to be near 15# in fronts and 8# in rears.
2. raise all four deck wheels high as they can go.
3. park on flat surface.
4. set deck height (say 3" ).
5. check that mower blade tips meet at the same height to eliminate a bent blade.
6. measure, with gauge, at the tips of outside blades and adjust both sides to the 3" via hanger bolts #25
7. measure center blade in front and back position to adjust the front draft so the leading tip is 1/4" lower than trailing tip.
8. set desired mowing height on height control.
9. lower deck wheels to as near 1/2" from flat surface (not touching).

Should then be good to go (if I didn't miss anything.. )

 

[roostershooter]

So you also go through the following steps in order ?

1. check tire pressures to be near 15# in fronts and 8# in rears.
2. raise all four deck wheels high as they can go.
3. park on flat surface.
4. set deck height (say 3" ).
5. check that mower blade tips meet at the same height to eliminate a bent blade.
6. measure, with gauge, at the tips of outside blades and adjust both sides to the 3" via hanger bolts #25
7. measure center blade in front and back position to adjust the front draft so the leading tip is 1/4" lower than trailing tip.
8. set desired mowing height on height control.
9. lower deck wheels to as near 1/2" from flat surface (not touching).

Should then be good to go (if I didn't miss anything.. )

Yes I do that initially. I do not go thru every step every single time. From what I have read, others need only adjust the deck on x700 series maybe once a year. So, to wrap all this up because I don't see much improvement with this mower deck, I doubt that I will buy another deck for this machine. I'll just use my push mower for the front yard and maybe look for a smaller rider to use at a later date. Thanks to all who posted.

 

[jonsstihl]

don't give up on your dealer yet. at that price point you shouldn't be mowing your lawn with another mower. the only thing I can think of that hasn't been talked about is that you may have a bent blade. when I got mine (one year old with 250 hrs.) the guy was using standard blades with a mulching kit and the blades were all bent to heck. he must have hit a rock that bent on of the mulching baffles which began to hit the blades.