[WrongDoug]

Hi all,

I just did some work to level my 46" mower deck that I bought for my Craftsman YT3000. I've got the the side to side within about 1/16"-1/8" of each other. And I've got the front about 1/4"- 3/8" lower than the back. It seems to vary a little depending on exactly where you measure. I did measure the blades both ways (measured one end, spun it 180° and measured the other). The tractor was on level, flat ground and the tire pressures were set to 10 PSI rear, 14 PSI front.

My one front tire has a slow leak, but I don't think it is enough to throw off the measurement. I checked the pressure right before I attempted any leveling. Once I address that tire I will recheck the deck, but again I don't think this is the issue.

Any further adjustment doesn't seem to get it any closer, so my question is, is there an acceptable margin of error when leveling a deck?

 

[rayjay]

You are fine.

 

[Jere39]

If you mow back and forth - rather than in a circular/squared off pattern always in the same direction; you would never notice such a slight variance. Specifically, in a back and forth pattern, the same side of the deck mows the edge between passes. Even larger variances aren't noticeable to the naked eye. I think you'll find that no matter how well you level your deck, a run across your lawn will jiggle enough of the linkages to make 1/16th inch adjustments to your good work anyway.

 

[robhay2]

If you've got it to 1/8" you're better than 95+% of homeowners. Good job!

 

[rayjay]

And a leaking tire will make more difference than you think.

 

[Cnc]

I am assuming your lawn is not golf green smooth, so any dip or variation in the ground that one or more wheels of the tractor rolls through will have a far greater effect than than the tolerances you have achieved. I can feel the the stamped steel frame of the LT I generally use on my lawn flex with every dip or bump in my lawn and the cut it produces still looks good.

 

[Ariens93GT20]

If the cut looks good dont worry about it.

 

[WrongDoug]

Thanks for all the replies! I cut some small sections of grass today and it appears to be cutting well. My lawn certainly doesn't resemble a golf course but I'd like to give it every chance I can by setting the machine up properly. I'm going to replace the front tires and I'll check the deck again afterward just to be sure nothing has changed. Thanks again.