Craftsman & Husqvarna Riding Mower Deck Not Level - How to Fix

Step by Step!
Today I'll be showing you how to easily fix an uneven mower deck on many #Craftsman or #Husqvarna riding lawn mowers!
Craftsman outsourced the manufacturing of some of their riding lawn mowers to Husqvarna, which resulted in many riding lawn mower models from both companies to be affected by this design flaw.
The issue seems to be the main deck lifting shaft assembly (532422027 or 422027) becomes warped in the center, or bent downward on the right side.
Since there is no adjustment on the right side hanger rod, the right side of the mower deck hangs lower than the left, and cannot be raised. The result is an uneven cut.
In today's video, I show you how to easily fix this issue without spending much time or money, but you'll need a welder!
I use a nut and a welder, others like ‪@doublewide6‬ have use a drill and a spring clip to solve this issue, check out his quick video here: • Craftsman Husqvarna Tr...
Either way, once you do this trick, the right side of your mower deck will be raised, and you can now fine tune the level of the mower deck using the adjustment rod and nut on the left side.
If you don't mind spending some money, you can purchase the adjustable rod, Husqvarna part number 589464805 and replace the old non adjustable rod on the right side.
However, if you do this, keep in mind that the main deck lifting shaft will still be warped, so this won't be a permanent fix.
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[@EliminatorPerformance]

Buy an adjustable rod here: amzn.to/3OdfZZz

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@Doublewide6 Repairs LLC did a quick video on this 4yrs ago using a spring clip, for anyone that doesn't have a welder. Link is in the description!

[@kenmoser936]

You made my life free of worrying about how to fix this problem. I wish I would of known this years ago. Thanks.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Check the comments, I linked an adjustable rod, basically the same as the other side so you can fine tune the deck height

[@davidleatherneck]

Good Vid. I just ordered another adjustable hanger like the one on the Left and installed it on the Right side. Now both sides are adjustable. Thanks.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Awesome!

[@infinity3jif]

Same

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Normally I'm all for fixing an issue properly, which means purchasing the 532422027 cross lift shaft, but it costs $74.57 here in Canada and I'd have to pay $12.50 for shipping fees. By the time you factor in tax that's about $100 in parts. That doesn't even include the labour to remove everything, and install the new parts. Someone could end up paying a couple hundred dollars for this repair. So while this way is the quick fix, it keeps costs low for my customers, and is a tried and true method.

[@samanthakusterbeck7394]

Watched up until the point you said “weld” 😢 wish you would have mentioned that in the beginning

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@samanthakusterbeck7394 check the description I linked another video by a subscriber of mine that uses a drill and spring clip

[@andrewklein4450]

​@@samanthakusterbeck73941!!!❤❤

[@bigsonslawncare]

Had this exact same mower sold it last year, And boy did I have to rig up some things on that mower, Great hack✔👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Mr. fix it man. You’ve done it again.👏👏👍🏻

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Sam, this is just the quick/cheap way but sometimes customers like it done like that so I thought I'd share!

[@robertmailhos8159]

Thank you for doing this video to fix this matter of unlevel mower pan

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@EliminatorPerformance okay 👍😎

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Another good repair Jake. Thanks for sharing. Have a good week. Rick

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@knighthawk86855]

I take the rod out, and use washers to take up the slack, that works if your at a customer's home, and dont have your welder, or easier for the DIY person.

[@Turningwrenches85]

Very good tip on fixing that deck hanger crazy design flaw there

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielthomas3127]

Thanks for that information it helps me

[@waynestefinashen239]

Another great tip from EP , this one will make lawns all over the world look so much better. It will also make all those husbands happy now that they can do this simple fix and stop hearing the wife yelling that the lawn looks like crap because of the out of level deck.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@oldpisces49]

Thank you!!! Will check that out!! Bless you... Old John

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks John!

[@williammcarthur8708]

THANKS !! GREAT JOB!!

[@watermanone7567]

Good fix for little cost. Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@themowerman]

Good job Jake mate .. a simple fix..

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching Mick!

[@billlovett3042]

Interesting solution, great video.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Bill!

[@stuartrichman9253]

Hi, I got a turnbuckle from Lowes. The eyes on the tends fit perfect. Allows for contstant adjustment if needed.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? This is an interesting repair and looks like it will solve the problem of the uneven cuts. I have a Husqvarna mower of similar design and I will be checking my mower for a possible fix!! Thanks and take care!!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Good tip, I'll have to take a look at my Husqvarna mowers (I have 3 of them)

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Check it out, it's only the old ones that are affected. The ones that were built for Craftsman by Husqvarna, and they made their own ones too

[@Big_Johns]

This is always a problem Jake, thanks for the tip brother. 👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@Big_Johns]

You betcha 🙂

[@motoman5023]

Nice tip will have to remember this one

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

If you don't have a welder, or don't want to drill and pin the old rod like some others do, you can replace the non adjustable one with an adjustable rod! Part number 589464805 and you'll be able to adjust both sides. However, as stated in the video, the main control cross bar will still be warped. But it here: amzn.to/3OdfZZz

[@davidleatherneck]

Oh, so here is the same solution. Missed that. Thanks.

[@waldenhu6676]

Hello, The Video is great,! I am a manufacturer of these aftermarket parts, I come from China, I have the product you mentioned, would you like to sell these products?

[@jakeklepper6333]

That’s a good fix, but also what I did was order the same adjustable hanger rod for a T3000 right side that way you can adjust either side either direction.A little money but not too bad.My T3000 came new with that rod and I checked it before I ordered.Like your videos any and all hints are helpful.I put the new adjustable rod on a yts3000.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Good tip, might have to try that out next time. The main shaft is what warps so eventually you'll run out of threads. These weren't designed with that in mind lol

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Let me know a part number if you have one, thanks!

[@csidun9087]

Thank you!

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

The free John Deere that had a destroyed deck I got a month ago now uses three chain links twisted in a vice for mounting alignment works like a champ. Instead of bolts holding the link to the deck I used heavy duty finger nut/bolts or whatever the thing like on the handle bars of lpush mowers or Ariens snowblowers which I can adjust up or down by a half inch. I hate spending money on something I can make.

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

Great fix , Quick and easy . Another bad design that is out there , it will not be the last one . People seem to want to fix the old stuff this year I am seeing a lot of no start ,bad gas mowers this year . Selling a lot more used mowers . Busy busy .

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes I believe this past month has been our busiest yet, glad to hear you're doing well!

[@waynestefinashen239]

Right on Chris, appears this may be the year for small engine repairs since many are repairing instead of buying. We have found ourselves totally slammed with work also and May will likely be a record month for service and repairs.

[@waynestefinashen239]

On the bad fuel issue even our repeat customers in many cases do not heed our instructions to use ethanol free fuel only. It appears it has taken some of them another invoice or two before they listen to our mathematical equation: A (difference in cost per litre of ethanol fuel to no ethanol fuel let us say $0.20) x B (number of litres used in lawn cutting per year let us say 40 litres) = C (total cost increase by using no ethanol fuel for a year) $8.00 Cdn. Wow not much of a difference especially if you figure that a normal ultrasonic cleaning of a carb with removal, disassembly, UT cleaning, pressure testing, reassembly then installation takes one hour at a minimum rate of $50 per hour you would be saving $42.00. Now you could put this to good use and buy 4 litres of alkylate engineered canned fuel that lasts 2 to 3 years once opened and you would never need a carb cleaning if you used a litre per year when storing your machine (must run the carb out of fuel then get the alkylate fuel running through the carb for storage.) God bless those that keep us going in business because they do not comprehend the mathematics of fuel.

[@GoBart454]

Excellent tip

[@EliminatorPerformance]

As mentioned, just a simple fix but better than replacing the whole thing for $$$

[@GoBart454]

@@EliminatorPerformance absolutely

[@DrAlexanderHamilton]

OR you can just get another adjustment bar with that adjustment nut and put it on the right side. Then you could adjust the right just like you do the left.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes that's in the pinned comment, you have to order the adjustment bar and it works. Not sure why they wouldn't have installed one from the factory.

[@michaelmarchese]

Thanks you for this video. I really appreciate it. My Husqvarna has this issue and I have been thinking about how to fix it. I thought the hanger must be worn out and don't want to replace it. This welding of the nut is perfect but since I don't have a welder I will drill it. Again, Thanks for the advice.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Check the pinned comment, you can buy an adjustable rod for the right side and just swap it out, it'll give you the adjustability that the nut or spring clip won't!

[@michaelmarchese]

@@EliminatorPerformance awesome. Where do I get it

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@michaelmarchese Amazon, it was like $12 I think. Click the link on the pinned comment, should be at the top of the comments on this video

[@TovaYahsharel]

Thank you sir

[@gordbaker896]

Well done. For those without a Welder, stack a couple hose clamps or cut the top off and thread the top of the rod to accept a pair of lock nuts if the size is suitable. What's going on with those Gauge Wheels. Deck not positioned correctly? Wheels too low?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Or you can order the part I linked in the pinned comment, but this is a quick enough fix

[@jakeklepper6333]

I tried the part number again did you get it?

[@rogermcdonald1607]

I would have to agree Jake, thats not a very good design. Its always interesting to me that they keep making the same mistakes year after year. That definitely would give you a horrible cut on your lawn.👍🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Roger. As always, I test these machines on my own front yard and it cut nice and level, customer was very happy with the affordable service!

[@arthilliker3721]

Excellent Idea ! Now I know WHY this is happening ! Thank You ! I do have an Idea. As time goes on it may wear down again ? How about cutting that rod, take out about an inch, inch and a half section, thread both ends, put in a "long nut" (forget the actual name of it but I'm sure you know what I mean) with lock nuts on each side to make it adjustable in the future ?? I know I'm complicating things a little but I think that could work also ? But for SURE, your way is fast and easy ! Thanks for a great TO THE POINT Video !

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Absolutely, you could hypothetically just measure the top of the rod to see what you need to remove, cut the top off and weld a nut as a stopper. Either way solves the issue.

[@arthilliker3721]

@@EliminatorPerformance I like how you think !! Thanks !

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Interesting that co. made a mistake. Welding galvanized nut. Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes works good enough, thanks for watching!

[@brianu33]

I have dyt4000. It’s leaving lines in lawn. Level says it’s not even. Manual says nut above yellow cap under footrest is how to raise and lower, I tried and deck is not moving. Am I missing something ?

[@scott-jc5nd]

Super

[@dennissmith8183]

Did you check the tire pressure first? That makes a big difference.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes I should've mentioned that, I always check tire pressure when leveling mower decks or adjusting skid shoes on a snowblower

[@mikespain8655]

Another two issues are that many of these riding mower decks are set up too low from the factory, and that the owner often mods too low. I have seen decks an inch and a half or more too low at the highest setting. Then the owner lowers the deck even more, and mows.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes as shown, the deck only lifts from 10-7 and under than the deck is already touching the ground on 6.

[@waynestefinashen239]

Funny you should mention that issue since many of the riders we get in will not even lift up to the highest level slot and a couple of them in the highest position appear to be at a position to start cutting already.

[@brandonhenderson2960]

Or you could just buy a adjustable rod like the other side and swap it out with the non adjustable rod IV done it it bolts right in then you have adjustment on both sides

[@jennanelson7868]

Ugh... i went to figure out why mine was off. I realize the right side is quite a bit higher then the left. No idea why. I was thinking this was going to fix my issue as for some reason I was thinking it was the other side that was higher. Low and behold I look at the right side and someome put a clamp on it. Im super confused as to why at this point as the right side is like a good inch higher.

[@user-ky7lb6rv6l]

I have this issue on my YT4000. My thought is that your procedure results in limiting the range of lift available. It seems that one would lower the lever to its lowest position and adjust the left side rod to where the left side of the deck is about to leave the ground and then determine where to weld the bolt (or drill for a spring clip). Am I wrong?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

The lift is the same, all this is doing is setting the right side to the same height as the left. I just ordered the 589464805 adjustable height rod for a riding mower that I bought. It was like $17 but it's back ordered for a month (likely because everyone needs them).

[@user-ky7lb6rv6l]

@@EliminatorPerformance Thank you for your reply and I agree that the procedure results in side-to-side level and that the deck can be raised. I’m either misunderstanding or my question wasn’t clear. In the video, the lever was in position 7 when the measurement was made to locate how to size and where to weld the nut. I would assume that this means that when everything was reassembled, the deck wheels would be at the ground when the lever is in position 7. If so, “lowering” the lever to position 6 (or lower) can’t lower the deck. Thus only positions 7 thru 10 actually change the mower deck height. What am I missing? Regardless, l have ordered the adjustable rod, too. But I also found the whole assembly on sale for $35 (~$50 with shipping and tax). I’m thinking that the brackets on both sides of my rod are bent because I’m unable to adjust the left side enough such that the left deck wheel comes of the ground when the lever is in position 2.

[@natenichols9473]

Your correct this guy mowes his lawn on 3 setting because with this adjustment you can’t go down to1 2 3 4. You made it level at like 7th link and lose more than half of your settings

[@EliminatorPerformance]

If it's level at 7 it's also level at 4 or wherever else. You seem to be missing the point of the video which is fixing the issue of the right side being lower without spending a bunch of money. I just did another one last week the same way and it cuts perfectly. The deck doesn't go into 10 but it lifts up as much as it can in 9th position. My customer can now cut his grass but the numbers might change a bit from what he was used to.

[@joe-fix-it9046]

How about using a die and threading the top end of the rod. Throw on a lock nut and adjust as needed.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes would definitely work, but this is the fastest way to fix the issue and get the machine operational again. It would take a bit more time, but cutting the top off and threading it would essentially give you an adjustable right side from the top down instead of the bottom up

[@jakeklepper6333]

Did you get the part number I sent? Also I compared the new one for the right side with the left side, and the two are interchangeable,l actually put them on.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

I didn't, and if you post links it'll get sent to spam. You can reply here with the part number, hopefully that will work. I get so many comments and comment replies sometimes the notifications don't go through.

[@sptrader6316]

If you don't have a welder, I bet JB weld epoxy would work too.

[@Lykin333]

I would have cut the flange on the top of the rod off, then using a die cut threads on the top 2 inches of the rod. Then you have infinite adjustability using a nut.

[@SeanWMODonnell]

What do you do when there's no adjustment and everything's tight

[@xmanb8193]

👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakeklepper6333]

I saw the part number appear in the comments section and also saw it leave.I tried.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

KZbin sometimes removes comments and they don't even go to the spam folder they just get deleted. You are more than welcome to email me the part number at [e-mail]

[@Squad-pl7oo]

Jake delete your non adjustable hanger and order yourself an adjustable hanger I don't know why Husqvarna can't put 2 adjustable hangers on your deck when you get the new hanger your deck will be happy and she'll appreciate you

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes we did eventually switch to the adjustable hanger, this was just a quick fix! Part number is in the pinned comment

[@beanolatte2682]

Dumb design!! There should be adjustments on both sides.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes absolutely, thanks for watching!

[@stu6885]

@@EliminatorPerformance looks like the rod has two places to bend it to the right distance

[@cynthiahawthorne-bloyd6822]

This video doesn't help me fix my mower deck, What normal person has a welder sitting around. not this girl.

[@waynestefinashen239]

Check out the link Jake put up from DoubleWide6 using a clip as a fix. Sorry about that but you will find a lot of repair videos that use tools the normal person does not have since it is all about the how to fix . As an example there are likely thousands of videos on adjusting two stroke carbs with the speciality tools but very few people have them even though purchasing a set would save you a lot of money by being able to adjust it yourself. If you lived in our neighbourhood it is a free weld repair, thanks for watching and the comment makes sense.