Deck pitching...what is the advantage?

[yardguy28]

this thread kind of confuses me because my buddy in the business advises against messing with the deck "mounts" in any way, shape or form. but others will do it in a heart beat.

recently I noticed my deck height has changed. use to be when I set the deck at the 3" setting and measured the tip of the blade to the ground it would be 3". now when I measure it it's 2.75".

I asked about adjusting the deck and he cautioned against it. recommended I check to see if the deck is level and suggested it could just be tire wear.

well my deck is level and I have had the mower for 3 years so I guess tire wear could drop it a quarter of an inch?

[sjessen]

Originally Posted by yardguy28

this thread kind of confuses me because my buddy in the business advises against messing with the deck "mounts" in any way, shape or form. but others will do it in a heart beat.

recently I noticed my deck height has changed. use to be when I set the deck at the 3" setting and measured the tip of the blade to the ground it would be 3". now when I measure it it's 2.75".

I asked about adjusting the deck and he cautioned against it. recommended I check to see if the deck is level and suggested it could just be tire wear.

well my deck is level and I have had the mower for 3 years so I guess tire wear could drop it a quarter of an inch?

Tire wear could definitely be your problem. One other solution, although not the best, is to air up your rear tires until you get the height where you want it. Or, you could just put the pin in the 3 and 1/4" hole.

[yardguy28]

Originally Posted by sjessen

Tire wear could definitely be your problem. One other solution, although not the best, is to air up your rear tires until you get the height where you want it. Or, you could just put the pin in the 3 and 1/4" hole.

I actually do just put the pin in the 3.25" hole.

I'm actually thinking of switching dealers. from day 1 my grandstand has has 20 psi in both rear tires. manual recommends 14-16 psi. so if my mower at the 3" setting is with 20 psi it would be lower at the recommended psi. so clearly the mower wasn't set right to begin with.

[JimQ]

Originally Posted by yardguy28

this thread kind of confuses me because my buddy in the business advises against messing with the deck "mounts" in any way, shape or form. but others will do it in a heart beat.

Adjust it. That's why they are "adjustable" Just don't screw it up!

I see you're talking about a Grandstand. They use chains for deck suspension like a lot of other machines. That's probably where you lost your HOC.

On a typical 5 chain link suspension, there are 12 wear surfaces. Take .021" off of each surface, and there is your 1/4" It doesn't take long to add up. In my opinion, that's why some OEM's are moving away from chains.

Like I said, adjust it out. When you're out of adjustment, replace the chains and bolts.

Q

[dhardin53]

I have a gage now, it nice. Before that I used a deep-well shocked as a feeler.

If the blades have to much back lift the cut will suffer. If the back is lower than the front it may look ok but your will be loosing power. You are bubble cutting the grass. Once with the tips of the blade as you drive into the uncut grass and then again before it drives past it before it exits the deck. This can take as much a 20% more power.

Simplicity tractors I think still set some of there decks this way (lower in the back).

Left and right is just as critical for a smooth cut. Outer tips need to be exactly the same height.

[yardguy28]

Originally Posted by JimQ

Adjust it. That's why they are "adjustable" Just don't screw it up!

I see you're talking about a Grandstand. They use chains for deck suspension like a lot of other machines. That's probably where you lost your HOC.

On a typical 5 chain link suspension, there are 12 wear surfaces. Take .021" off of each surface, and there is your 1/4" It doesn't take long to add up. In my opinion, that's why some OEM's are moving away from chains.

Like I said, adjust it out. When you're out of adjustment, replace the chains and bolts.

Q

the chains must be very well hidden then cause in the 3 years I've owned it and used it day in day out I've never seen a chain.

the newer ones might have them but mines an 09. first year they came out with them. even on the new once I've only seen pic but I thought only the 36" and 40" used any chains. mines a 52".