[Soannoyed]

X740
62C

I'm having trouble getting a level cut even after I level the deck. I measure the blade tips left to right and front to back, leaving then 1/4" lower in the front.

The problem is that if I'm on a hill, mowing left to right across the hill, one side of my deck cuts noticeably lower than the other, leaving bad lines in the grass.

Another yard I mow isn't very hilly but I still don't get an even cut. The yard's grade is smooth, but there is a slight uphill all across it. Same problem as above, just not quite as bad. I just don't know if it's the hill that's causing this or what.

Could it be a problem with the deck hangers, or something else worn out like that? I don't think I should have to level my deck after every mow, but right now I have to do that.

I'm sure this has been discussed to no end, but I was hoping for a more personalized discussion, and I enjoy the conversation

 

[coaltrain]

Noting your tractor model and deck will really help people help you….

 

[rwmeyer]

My 48 decks cuts perfect...when on a flat surface. Get on a hillside or take a sharp turn and bottom/outside digs in. I think (??) it's a combination of tire pressure and the "float" ability of the deck. On a hillside, no matter how steep, the center of gravity changes on the tractor putting more weight on the low side. his increased weight crushes the tire somewhat making the deck lower. the deck also has the ability to "float". When CG changes, deck rises on high side and lowers just a tad on low side. The combination of the tires & deck result in an uneven cut. I've been mowing for 40+ years and the solution is ???! I've no clue!!!

I'm going to be mowing this afternoon with my 322 & 48 deck. Recommended tire pressure is 5-12 for rear tires and gonna try 20. I don't think front pressure is critical as tractor rotates on front axle pivot. I'll get back with results. Bob

 

[tab665]

any time i change my height of cut, i will drive onto the road, lower the deck. and adjust my anti-scalp wheels. the deck simply tilts way too much on slopes and turns otherwise. i try to get it to where the wheels are less than a half inch from the road surface when the deck is lowered. and thats with a 48" deck, i could only imagine how tough a wider one would be. which brings me to my next point... the anti-scalp wheels really need to be able to swivel to prevent digging.

 

[DieselBob]

The problem as I see it is as mentioned, the deck. It’s mounted under the center of a rigid frame tractor with pivoting front axle which raises or lowers one front corner of the frame that the deck is hanging from and tires that as a rule are pressured for best traction/ride comfort. The wider the deck the more influence these factors have. Notice how all large mowers are of the independent deck/gang mowers weather it be the older style reel or the new multi deck. Not one of these is dependent on the power unit for it's stability or ground contact height. My $.02

 

[rwmeyer]

I just did some mowing. Raised rear tires to 20 and fronts are 15-20, didn't check. Still slightly uneven, but a LOT better! I noticed it mostly on turns, but I didn't slow down! Possibly this is my issue. Bob

 

[bkeller500]

Uneven cut here too. Hot summer is here in Northern Illinois. I just adjusted the Rear air pressure on my X590 to 14 pounds and the fronts to 10. I also took a 3/4" x 3-3/4" pipe nipple and used it to measure the L & R blade tips to the cement garage floor after setting HOC to 3-3/4". It took several adjustments because adjusting 1-side dose influence the other side a tad. Then I started the tractor and raised and lowered the deck 6-times and then rechecked level. Then checked front to back making sure front was 1/4" lower ( didn't need to adjust). My 1-1/2 acre is mostly flat with a long berm and 2-hills ( front to back) on each side of the house. I normally notice the unevenness on the left side as I make turns (mostly right) or on the lower side of the deck as I cut along the berm. I just set my gauge wheels almost all the way up. I have the mulch kit on but with Gator G-5 blades to give me more lift as I cut normally at 3-3/4"-4". This gives me the best finish cut I can get out of this rig. I would estimate I am 85% please with the final cut. I came over from a Simplicity Conquest 2-years ago and was hoping for a better experience than I am getting. The Simplicity deck followed the terrain better and would cut more even on flat ground but still had some issues on the berm and the hills. I was probably 90% satisfied with the cut. Reason for change to JD was the build of the Simplicity was weaker and after 4-years the deck was badly paint chipping and rusting and the tractor was just OK.

 

[tab665]

Uneven cut here too. Hot summer is here in Northern Illinois. I just adjusted the Rear air pressure on my X590 to 14 pounds and the fronts to 10. I also took a 3/4" x 3-3/4" pipe nipple and used it to measure the L & R blade tips to the cement garage floor after setting HOC to 3-3/4". It took several adjustments because adjusting 1-side dose influence the other side a tad. Then I started the tractor and raised and lowered the deck 6-times and then rechecked level. Then checked front to back making sure front was 1/4" lower ( didn't need to adjust). My 1-1/2 acre is mostly flat with a long berm and 2-hills ( front to back) on each side of the house. I normally notice the unevenness on the left side as I make turns (mostly right) or on the lower side of the deck as I cut along the berm. I just set my gauge wheels almost all the way up. I have the mulch kit on but with Gator G-5 blades to give me more lift as I cut normally at 3-3/4"-4". This gives me the best finish cut I can get out of this rig. I would estimate I am 85% please with the final cut. I came over from a Simplicity Conquest 2-years ago and was hoping for a better experience than I am getting. The Simplicity deck followed the terrain better and would cut more even on flat ground but still had some issues on the berm and the hills. I was probably 90% satisfied with the cut. Reason for change to JD was the build of the Simplicity was weaker and after 4-years the deck was badly paint chipping and rusting and the tractor was just OK.

thats because simplicity deck ride on the ground. simply put, you ain't going to get a better cut than simplicity. you are not doing yourself any favors at all by having your anti scalp wheels all the way up. just once, lower them, and see if it helps. I've noticed a world of difference since I lowered mine. when you turn, the deck tilts, the wheels will help reduce the tilt.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

The gage wheels need to be 3/8" to 1/2" above the ground when the deck is at cutting height.

 

[rydplrs]

The gage wheels need to be 3/8" to 1/2" above the ground when the deck is at cutting height.

I tend to go for 1/4” or a bit less. it helps, and although I expect more wear my wheels are like new 3 years later. They bang over roots, and rocks.

 

[x738]

(I'm assuming the current x73x and x75x have the same recommendation as the as previous models x72x and x74x)

From x73x OM
6. Adjust depth gauge wheels so they clear the ground by 3 mm (1/8 in) to 13 mm (1/2 in).

 

[Soannoyed]

I noted my machine and deck model at the top of the post, but it probably blends in too much. I should have done it in the body as well. X740 with 62c deck.

 

[Soannoyed]

I must have had my notifications turned off or something. I just now realized there have been responses to this!

Thank you for the ideas, and comments. I'll mess around with the tire pressure and deck wheels to see if I can get a better cut. Attached is a pic of what I'm dealing with (it's worse than it looks in the picture)

 

[rtgt]

I believe that the deck sway is a pretty common thing.

You might also have to reconsider the route you are taking. Go up and down as much as possible and avoid going across the slope where you can.

 

[Soannoyed]

I just checked the air in my tires. They were nowhere close to where they should have been. I can't believe I didn't check this earlier. I set them correctly and gave a section of the yard a quick mow. Since I just cut the yesterday, it's a little hard to tell if it's fixed but I didn't notice any low spots this time, so that's a good sign! I'll post again in a few days after I give it a legit mowing.

Thank you all. Sometimes it's easy to overlook the simplest things.

Funny part about it is, last year my dad's mower was doing the same thing and he asked me to look at it. I put air in his tires and it fixed it right up.

 

[BigBlue]

The uneven cut is just the nature of a wide deck on uneven terrain. I thought my 60HC was 'bad' with this. That was until I got my 72" zero turn. Best thing you can do to alleviate the issue is to lower the gauge wheels so they contact the ground sooner. That will help the deck 'float' better. Also, try to adjust your mowing pattern/direction to come at uneven ground from a different angle that will reduce the tendency to dig in on the sides.

The air pressure topic is also an important one if you're having uneven cuts on level/flat ground. You should do that before leveling the deck.

Rob

 

[x738]

I must have had my notifications turned off or something. I just now realized there have been responses to this!

Thank you for the ideas, and comments. I'll mess around with the tire pressure and deck wheels to see if I can get a better cut. Attached is a pic of what I'm dealing with (it's worse than it looks in the picture)

Was that area wwet when it was cut?

I've had low areas look like that when the ground was wet at cutting time.

(sometimes when the rest is ready for a cut, and time is available, the job must get done....)

 

[Soannoyed]

I embarrassingly admit that after adjusting the air in my tires and lowering one of my deck wheels, my lawn now look more respectable. Such simple things to overlook. Thanks again.

 

[mrmagloo]

 

[RodW]

I mow horizontally on my front slope. If your area isn't too large, you can try what I do -- I make a second pass offset from the first to recut the "ridges" of taller grass. It works pretty well even on Bermuda, which really exacerbates the problem you're having. My deck is only 42" so I don't know how well this works with larger decks.