How the Pro's Level a mower deck, Fix steering problems & set Rake for the best cut quality 4k video

Start to finish how the pro's adjust a mower deck, set rake for the best cut quality and fix tracking problems on a lawn mower.
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[@DouglasUphoff]

Don't ever take this video down. This will become one of my ready reference videos! Great!!! Info. THANKS.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool 😀I don't plan on it so no worries! Thanks for watching Douglas 👍

[@tomwilson5201]

I agree 100%!

[@gallacticearthworks]

If Stanley would stop repeating what the guy says it would be much simpler to follow

[@user-wr3gp8hj3i]

I thought you were just being mean, then I watched the video..

[@alfredosoup9434]

This could've been a 5 minute video if he just shut up

[@chrisfox6780]

Fred: "I'm going to take a water break." Stanley: "so what you're saying is... you're going to take a water break?" "Like, that's where you go on a break... for water... right?"

[@chrisdaniels4674]

What do you mean? What’s mess with

[@chrisdaniels4674]

So really your leveling the machine? Slow down ok so......

[@joeriemer845]

Can you edit your comments out of the video? So annoying.

[@timelias2103]

@@joeriemer845 Deleted it. Sorry

[@JMayhemMusic]

😂😂😂😂😂 FACTS!!

[@rs-vl2im]

this is perfect! I fuc*** around trying to level my mower deck and here it was the tires the whole time. wasted 4 hours of my day but caught a hell of a buzz drinking beers trying to figured it out.

[@adamf4196]

The tire circumference and the gauge plug info were both life lessons. TY

[@tkskagen]

WOW! What a plethora of KNOWLEDGE I have gotten from this video...🙀 What a shame that more people don't know this! Thank you for sharing this video with ALL OF US! 😎 Take care, 🤓 -Thomas Western Washington State

[@Dirtmonkey]

So great to hear!! Thanks for letting me know & for watching Thomas 😀

[@George-vv7vi]

Wow! The most informative video I have ever watched concerning zero turns.Thank you!This is so helpful.Ive been mowing for 40 years and learned more today than all combined. There are still good people in the world.

[@padroooo]

I bought my wife a new Ferris IS 3200 last year with a mulching kit on it. She was tickled with her new mower until she noticed it was leaving a trail of grass on one side after every pass. I ended up getting the manual out and leveled the 61 inch deck and put a positive rake which lowered the front of the deck to 1/4 inch lower in the front and that fixed it. The dealer must have just been shoving them out the door with no prep work. This was a great video and with more details than my Ferris manual, thank you.

[@Dirtmonkey]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@rgamore]

There was a lot of " I didn't know that"here. A lot of GOOD information and I'm not a lawn service, but I do have a Pro Series Zero Turn Mower.

[@beardedguardian71]

I was just going through the stairstepping today. And have recently started having pressure issues. So this vid couldn't have come at a better time my friend. Thanks!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hope it helps , thank you!

[@johnhunter273]

This was the most informative video ever! Great information for the community to have available. I know the first thing I'm going to do is find a flat spot and measure some stuff! Not going to lie, its simple stuff, just never put it all together.I think the best tip was adjusting the handles, with negative or positive burning up a hydro.Thanks to both of you!!!

[@ericmatthias2972]

instaBlaster...

[@robertheinkel6225]

I have worked on a lot of ZTR machines. If they have a tracking issue, you can always adjust the control linkage, so the faster side travel, is limited to match the slower side. All the machines have a limit stop to prevent damage to the hydros.

[@Dustinp_18]

I've been having issues with my 07 52 inch and talked to Fred today and told me that my problem was the frame was sagging with it being a older 2 piece frame, told me how the fix it and when I started adjusting the frame he did exactly as he said it would do, this guy is pretty damn smart.... thanks Fred

[@mab123080]

What was the trick? Did you have to lossen the main frame bolts? How did you rule out the other factors to know it’s the frame?

[@petepeabody8905]

I just got a zero turn and this information is the best I've seen anywhere. Thank you...

[@mooch91]

Spoke with Fred on the phone a week or so back. He mentioned having done a video recently with one of the vloggers. Now I know who! He was very helpful with deck leveling info for my new Exmark. I would have definitely liked to have seen this be a full how-to video for the Exmark as there are no such videos available. Thanks to Exmark for supporting Fred on this and to Stanley for getting good tech content! Thanks @Fred Fugett!

[@bitzanjohn]

Stan, Obviously been some time since you posted this video but you are still helping guys like me out! The left rear tire is at 60lbs and sitting in the sun so I thought I would take the time to say thank you.

[@fredfugett8272]

Glad this helped, it is crazy how much the rear tires play into this.

[@automaster209]

I would like to thank you for this video. Explained a lot about zero turn lawn mower and provided me with the great instruction to adjust my mower.

[@MrPremium08]

I dont have a zero turn or own a lawn maintenance company but this video was entertaining to watch. Love learning random knowledge, never know when you might need it!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Haha cool! Thanks for being here

[@ajmassey9]

Double! Triple thumbs up. So informative. Have a laser z with 1550 hours and I couldn’t figure out why it was cutting right. Thank you for all those insights

[@lorettoequipment7993]

Thank You D.M. and Exmark, for this very informative video. A little sunshine to my cloudy day. Simply, taught me some tech. I needed to know .Exmark fan since "85". Mow, mow, mow, and mow some mow.

[@sunseeker5071]

Stan, can't thank you enough for bringing this wonderful resource to us. Fred's obvious knowledge of zero-turn mowers is invaluable and this video will hep us all. BIG BIG thanks.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad to hear it and happy the vid will help!!

[@tannerkrcil1021]

Just got done with what he all said on my hustler 104. Thanks guys. It cuts way better now.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool! 👍

[@justinbedell7902]

Holy Cow, Stan. What a vid. So much to re-watch. Now I understand my mower and its issues! Thanks!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Justin, happy to help!

[@jankinnu]

Informative video. I have Toro with 72" deck and after adjustments there's a huge difference in cut quality.

[@traviscoleman6362]

I love the science behind something that in the surface appears simple.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right!? It's a lot more complex than what meets the eye. Thanks for watching Travis 👍

[@jessedonaldson2536]

Thank you stan for all your videos! I'm trying to do really good at work and learn as much as I can and your videos are a big help

[@tkskagen]

I have learned SO MUCH from "THIS" Video! Thanks again!😎, 🤓 -Thomas Western Washington State

[@onerbfromtn4320]

Fantastic! Thanks to you, Mr. Fred, and Exmark! Lots of great tips and knowledge won by experience here.

[@josephwertman7817]

I've done some of the same things in the past but I also learned a thing or two. Thank you this was a great video. One thing I think you forgot to mention is the riders weight, I have used sand bags on my seat to fine tune both zero turns and general homeowners grade mowers. I have to do it with weights because 15 psi acts like 10 psi with 300 lbs added to it.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback.

[@jimhoover5779]

Awesome video very helpful. I've been in this business for 40+ years and "I know it all".....lol..... A lot of good info. You HAVE to keep learning in whatever business you're in or you WILL loose ground to your competition

[@stregester2]

I knew this was a must watch. Took me a bit to get to it but glad I did. Keep Putting it out and I'll keep learning. Thanks

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you're here! Thank you & will do 👍

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Fred looks a lot like Urban Meyer and he coaches like him too. Top notch 👍👍

[@fredfugett8272]

Nebraska..... Go Big Red!!!

[@mattmcmillin3030]

I kept thinking damn it's urban meyer talking mowers..lol.. glad im not the only one 😊😊

[@mikesbarn1858]

Great information. Thanks. I have 2 ZTs for my yard. Older one has a ground tracking front axle for the really uneven sections and the newer one for my flat areas.

[@aamart4999]

Very few small engine technicians have the knowledge how to truly level a deck. Finding a great small engine technician is like finding an outstanding mechanic!

[@paulanderson4985]

Most thorough vid on deck tune up... get the tractor right first! Hadn't thought of that but really makes sense. Got to check your vid collection to see if you have one to correct a current steering issue. While going down hills, trying to slow down the rig jerks or grabs left and right. it's a fight to try keeping a straight line. think it's got to be the linkage or steering dampener that I've already switched out.... Fabulous having pros !

[@19Silver67]

I havent watched the whole video yet. But i have to say this is the best one for info. I never new about the tires are different sizes. Ive been doing for a very long time. My lazer isnt tracking right and ive been racking my brain why it so off. Now i know what to check. Thanks!!!!

[@johnbetter3555]

Thank soo much for this video.. my dads zero turn burned out its trans.. and i think its about the neutral tracking.

[@henrysboy2]

Awesome video Mr. G. Can’t believe how much I learned and how cool it was presented.

[@sunseeker5071]

This video has further convinced me that the CUB CADET Pro 960 with the steering wheel option is a much more State-of-the-Art option. Wish Exmark had a their own steering wheel version. Great video, great subject matter.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for the input and thanks for watching!

[@kenlong5033]

Great tech video from the pro. There is really alot of fine tuning I did not know about. Including the tire pressures.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for watching Ken!

[@bladesofglorylawnmaintenan6354]

Wow @Stan!! What in the CRAP??!! My mind is officially BLOWN!! I’m so glad you did this video.. I run the exmark Radius.. This is and WILL BE my go to video from here on out!! Perfect video!! Thanks a TON!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for the great comments Colin, I really appreciate it!!

[@savagetackle66]

This is a great video. Kudos to Exmark for seeing the value in sending this man. The video feels like it starts completely over when you show the tires again. Just a tip for future editing

[@richarddolejsi1887]

Thank You very much, very helpful. Never even thought of the tires. Lawn Cutters Lawn Care

[@tedjohn441]

All your video's are helpful in one way or another I learn something new!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

That's the goal so that is just awesome to hear! Thanks Ted

[@extremelawncare9062]

Love your videos watch them all the time but anyways ran across this when searching about Exmark deck rack cause my 60 has to much I believe cause I’m leaving no hawks with new blades even so I figured on the parts about the deck rake but my mower has just went over 2000 hours this past week and steering is just alittle off but mowing for almost 15 years u get used to it and deal with it NEVER IN MY LIFE thought about my new tires being off with the Circumference of the tire next rain day u know what I’ll be doing 😉 thank you and thank you Exmark for this video P.S NEVER TAKE THIS DOWN lol

[@kubotajordan9502]

Stan you amaze me with the videos you come up with very good real world scenarios with excellent content ! You are opening my eyes to all to all the things Iv'e never seen before and the maintenance end on your equipment that is the key to longevity . My neighbor has a weed eater riding mower I I think he waxes it are something it still runs great.Great video stan !

[@Dirtmonkey]

So awesome to hear that, thank you !!

[@TheMelaniebarber1]

I had no idea so much is centered around the tire pressure. So cool and interesting.

[@jimpikul8551]

Thanks for doing this vid ! Kudos to you both!

[@stewarttate]

Stan, thank you. Helpful video, I need to take a closer look at the zero turn

[@jrblandscapingandsnowplowi4935]

Awesome video brother. Been doing landscaping professional since 92 i new about air pressure in the tires etc, but didn't know they could be different sizes. Another thing is setting the rake and why but mostly leveling the frame by making sure the front tires have the same amount of down pressure on them. Thanks brother love the videos

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for the comments and happy to have you here!

[@jrblandscapingandsnowplowi4935]

@@Dirtmonkey thank you sir glad to be apart of the community of positive, motivated people willing to help others, but also shutup listen and learn. God bless yall. No im not from the south lol. I just started my channel. Its jrb landscaping&snowplowing. You the man

[@thefleaflop]

Great job.... Loved this video. Both you guys are awesome. Learned a ton in this 25min. Please do more... Thanks!!!

[@christopherconte4315]

Learned a lot. Thanks for this information. I also used the socket to measure. Brilliant minds…

[@anilborah3127]

Delivered a nice even cut, has the super tight turning ability kzbin.infoUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend I was looking for, and is just a blast to drive. It takes a little bit to get used to driving one after driving a normal tractor style, but once you've got it, you've got it. If you're cutting lines, you have to be careful spinning the mower around or the back tire will dig a bare spot. Just take it nice and slow during the turn and then it's back to full throttle across the yard!

[@wardo17]

That was so informative. Always learning something new

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool! Glad you learned something!

[@chrispotter3680]

I've never gotten so much damn good information on a commercial mower in my fucking life good job Uncle Stan

[@josh-e3j]

I have basically the same mower, however mine is a Toro Z Master 3000 series 60’. I have looked all over youtube for an informative video about deck adjustments and this is the best one so far. My mower has around 1100 hours my problem is I’m out of adjustment on front and rear. My adjusting bolts on either side in the front are maxed and the single-point adjustment setting is maxed as well. I have new blades and the tire pressure is at spec (13lbs) I’m all out of ideas I’ve been messing with this thing for months and can’t get the front up to the cutting height that’s labeled. It always comes up 1/4 of an inch to low and the back will not lower any further but it’s always half inch too high off. I’ve tried everything but it has gotten me stumped

[@woodyholland9437]

Fred has forgotten more about zero turns then we will ever know! Man I learned a lot

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for watching Woody!

[@brianherron5400]

Love the information, I didn't know that, Thanks to you guys 👌👍🏻.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hope you could pull some good info out of it Brian!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

These little tips and maintenance videos are awesome. I always appreciate learning from guys like this. #takenotes Thanks Fred.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Fred, glad to hear that!

[@kmcwhq]

Thanks learned alot! Wouldn't be surprised if Fred has some stock car racing in his background as this sounds like chassis setup 101.

[@fredfugett8272]

Yep grew up in the Midwest... we did a ton of dirt track racing!!

[@kmcwhq]

@@fredfugett8272 I could tell. Nice info, thanks for sharing. I'll put it to good use next time I run hot laps on the Zero Turn.

[@mab123080]

Would it be possible to ask you a tricky cut problem with my Toro Zmaster ? I doubt the frame or the strut push arms are bent, but I’ve done everything in this video.. no improvement

[@Thefreemans-interesting-music]

Got 2 exmarks and 2 toros in the lineup. Be great to be able to set em up properly for the mowing team. Thanks for not going the "take it to your dealer" road.

[@mikezupancic2182]

Amazing video. Lots of new things to think about if the cut isnt perfect.

[@Hillsidelanscapemanagement]

Awesome video. One of the most information yet. Thank you

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks frank!

[@yukon4545]

Great info. Would like to see how you make the adjustment to the steering though. Thanks.

[@nunosapunso6239]

I had two punctured rear tires on my ZT. Went to Home Depot and bought two bottles of Flat Out. Tires all good now.

[@michaelparkin8216]

That why I get paid so well lol certified OPE tech that owns a landscape company. I drive my parts & service guys crazy, only guy that does my service has 20 + yrs under his belt. When I go in for dealer days the sales men hate me but the engineers love me. This spring I schooled the SCAG rep on the product he was selling

[@joleary4349]

Mind Blown! That's some good info there! Thanks for doing this video.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Of course! Thanks for watching & taking the time to let me know, really appreciate it John

[@gregwells2331]

Great information Stan, this vlog is a keeper thanks for sharing

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Greg!

[@V4zz33]

They know their stuff;)))) And humble as well. Great!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeah Fred was awesome!

[@kebert]

Spent a lot of time leveling my deck, but still get the stair step. Never in a million years would I have considered by tire size, pressure, and wear on the front wheels.

[@UserName-vf8rw]

You have some really good videos but this one is great. Thanks

[@andrew1762]

That was extremely informative, thank you.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome!

[@powerstrokelife3119]

very common stuff in the racing world.. all about stagger and getting it to what you desire. sprint cars use stagger to turn the car easier and almost every week we have one tire aired up on top of the trailer trying to get the stagger where we want it. good video tho very informative

[@thomassoltis5862]

Great video brother keep up the awesome work god bless you and your family

[@Dirtmonkey]

You also Thomas, thanks again!

[@casycasy5199]

thanks exmark and thanks fred great knowledge you gave out

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for watching!

[@ColtonRhody]

Great info, so helpful! Thanks so much!

[@user-vo1cv3mt9y]

Excellent video! Very helpful!!

[@codeyknepper5651]

Thanks this video has helped me out tremendously

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

Awesome information in this video! Some of that stuff I would have never thought of. Great of Exmark to send someone out for a video. Exmark is top of the line, that’s why it’s all I run. I woulda loved to hang out with him and learn all that and more very cool dude.

[@Dirtmonkey]

It was pretty awesome, but hopefully this video is the next best thing to hanging out with him for you haha. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek definitely was close to hanging out him. Hopefully he sees this comment, I want to know what causes both back tires to wear down on the inside on multiple machines with different operators. Just replaced tires with almost no tread left on the frame side of the machine. Outside of the tires still had decent tread. I run about 10- 12 psi.

[@fredfugett8272]

@@meadowviewlawncarellc8079 About 90% this is caused by zero turning on a hard surface. Things like driveway and parking lots, they are turf tires so hard surfaces beats them up. You should get 800-1200 hours before it get too bad. What kind of tire is it?

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

Fred Fugett there Kenda. I do get about that many hrs on them, got just over 2,480 hrs on this machine and just put on the 3rd set.

[@pauls3758]

I'm glad you did that very informative

[@mtate8472]

Great video!!! Wonderful knowledge. Thanks Stan!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Aw thanks Marcus! That's awesome to hear 👍

[@wymershandymanservice9965]

Tire circumstance is something we always chased in the trucking business. Tried to always mate then to within a 1/2 And that was on 20” and 22” wheels. So I imagine the margin for error is even less on a lawn mower.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeah-it can throw a mower off pretty bad

[@stepside2839]

Exactly because tire circumference alters gear ratio. Smaller circumference equals more revolutions per mile. Larger circumference equals less revolutions per mile. In the excavation/trucking business one should be extremely aware of that. Get a flat on a tamdom wheel and one needs to match up tire circumferences between inner & outer tires when changing flat tire.

[@robertheinkel6225]

We had the same issue with large aircraft tires, especially the front tires. With lawn tires, air pressure will make a big difference.

[@gregorymandile2321]

great job sir thank u for sharing your knowledge,huge help

[@blair56561]

FANTASTIC VIDEO!

[@JMayhemMusic]

So what I’m going to do, is put some preview clips in the beginning of the video, like the PROS!! But where I’ll make myself stand out, is to run the ENTIRE CLIP, like the WHOLE thing. So they’re basically watching the video TWICE!! Oh my God, KZbin is gonna owe me SOOO MUCH!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@unclejimmyray]

Mind...Fricking...BLOWN!!! 🤯🤯🤯

[@larryfowler7760]

Stanley, I run Scags 52” Turf Tigers , and let me tell you they have cheapened they’re decks up so much! 10 years ago 1/4” steel all around, now 3/16 on top and 1/8” on the sides I have had to build shims for spindles and even went as far as adding washers to spacers and cutting spacers by as much as an 1/4” to keep these things cutting level. It is a real problem. Thanks for the vid, but I’m tellin you sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box to keep it going and give the customer a good finished product.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeah- but you shouldn't have to do that to a mower. Sounds like its time to check on other options.

[@larryfowler7760]

Absolutely! Stan, I’m giving 12k for these things, and buy 5 or 6 of them every 3 years. I’m pissed! I’m down here in North Arkansas and I’ll tell you this mower was head and shoulders above any of the rest. But I think this company , tried to save two dollars on production and sell two million mowers, they just made two million more dollars!

[@putmeincoach7663]

@@larryfowler7760 All I've ever run are Woods zero turn mowers. Thickest gauge decks I could find, along with Grasshopper. Come to find out, they're manufactured in the same facility.

[@huckbeduck]

Man, I just leveled my deck yesterday. Also tried to adjust the angle of the deck so one blade leads the other a bit more.

[@josehernandez381]

This video helped me so much

[@bobcasteel7811]

Great video!

[@claudenormandeau9211]

I learned lots. Thank you

[@TomTom-by5sx]

Makes perfect sense but never heard that before. Aewsome...!!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool!

[@budgriffin436]

Thanks for allowing us to watch.

[@user-qw9sd6vl2r]

VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEO, THANK YOU.

[@gatecity5284]

Excellent video

[@falcon6936]

Great video demo

[@questioneverything1123]

Great video - THANK YOU!!!

[@chevyman7021]

Bought a used lazer z , the guy that had it adjusted the deck over and over to no avail. When i bought it i noticed one new tire from a different company on the rear, now i know to check circumference of the tires to make it cut level, thanks.

[@Dirtmonkey]

That's cool, happy the video helped!

[@trizzmotoktm4308]

I've been working for john deere for 6 yrs setting up new mowers and such. one thing he forgot to mention that the rear tires could be brand spanking new but way out of round. we had a new mower a customer just purchased and he was complaining that the grass was being cut funny and he couldn't get the the deck level. i told him every mower is thoroughly check over and leveled. so we looked at it and i noticed that the settings were different than how i set them. if you pushed the mower forward 2 feet and rechecked the measurements. way different than the previous check. raised the back of the mower with a jack and started mower . engaged the wheels with hydro and you could plainly see how out of round the tires were. very frustrating to try to fix that. not much you can do but break the tires down and remount them to see if that fixes them or replace.

[@JMayhemMusic]

Awesome editing!!