Leveling a Riding Lawn Mower Deck for an Even Cut

[@JohnKaufmann]

This is the absolute best video on mower deck leveling on the internet. Thank you

[@dogubomb]

Ok silly question, but the blade is only exposed on one end, the end where the bagger chute goes. How are you supposed to tell the height of the blade that is hidden in the other side of the mower?

[@8Nguy1948]

I want to know the same thing.

[@bobspal5365]

Mr. SmartBeard. Your videos are lifesavers.

[@alugilac01]

Now thats how you make a video, that man is a natural! Loved it!

[@julies1ify]

Yep, straight to the point ! No useless mumbo jumbo. Well done good man !

[@TupacAShakurAfeni]

Love it! To the point! No 15 minutes of blah blah blah!

[@LongTonthat-j3y]

Thank you, so helpful and we need more Wayne!

[@BluegrassPreservationVideos]

Great instructional video. I used a shortened lead pencil with painters' tape to measure the blades.

[@davidmccartney5651]

Best info I've seen in a while. thanks

[@jhendren0001]

good job explaining.. even down to the turns on each nut that helps so I don't have to keep checking it if I know about how much a turn moves every thing thanks..

[@parrishmooneyham6095]

WHOA WHOA WHOA... Now looking in through the grass chute is all fine and dandy but you never showed how you can see or measure the OTHER side that DOESN'T have a chute you can look through. It is VERY difficult to look under the deck and try to get decent eyeball on that measurement. I know, I have a T310. Is there some special measuring tool to use to make this an 'EASY' measurement check? Don't get me wrong, good video but you gave the easiest part for measurement. You should show how you measure the OTHER side ;).. What I had to do is grab 2 - 6" magnetic levels and use that placing on the back of the mower on top of the attachment lip ( where you can hook up a like a yard trailer or something) to ensure the mower is level, then placing 1 on the back center location of the deck where the lip is. Now this is for a left/right adjustment. There was one other spot I could double check the levelness of it and that is by swapping the level from Back Center of the deck to the 'left side of deck' as you sit on it where there is NO grass chute. This was the top back portion of the left side where the circular mold of the deck was for the blade. The right side of the deck where the grass chute was as a slight incline from about center to the chute so I couldn't use anything on that side. I also didn't have 3 - 6" levels so I had to swap the 2 deck locations. It's not as accurate as a measuring tape or ruler but after making that adjustment with the 2 levels and mowing this evening, I don't see any 'stair step' effects in the grass lines where I mowed. This is just the way I did it cause I couldn't see up underneath the other side of the deck to see the measurement. So YES I did it the 'lazy mans' way hehehe... IF you do use the levels, you HAVE to know what part of the top portion of the deck are parallel with the bottom of the deck. That's why I used that lip on the back center just above the bottom of the deck and the other top part of the deck that KNOW is parallel with the bottom. ;).. Hope this helps, but would like to know if there is a easy tool for 'measuring' the blade on the non-grass chute side. ;)

[@GSX1300Rrr]

The left side is definitely a little trickier. I just use one of those long soft wax dinner candles (very cheap at any grocery). Trim it down to fit under the deck, then press it against the blade underneath and measure the mark!

[@mattmarzula]

@@GSX1300Rrr As if your fingers couldn't have done the same thing.

[@mattmarzula]

You'd think an adult could have figured it out in three sentences or less.

[@Rydeauto]

Best video ever. Love direct to the point.

[@kevinmontgomery913]

How do you measure the blade height on the left blade? Mines covered by the deck housing.

[@denispoirier5442]

when i do mine. I will jack the whole thing up, make sure it's all level , then measure the blade heights.

[@colsoncustoms8994]

Simple and to the point, thanks

[@declanoshaughnessy7733]

Thanks for info much appreciated straight explanation on how to get the deck level👍👍

[@ajsargent7156]

this was a very level instructional tutorial! thanks!

[@pegseppamaki9426]

Concise and easy to understand, thank you!

[@ryaj2356]

Great video. Omg. I didn’t know how to adjust the front to back level.

[@glennhurst7659]

I hit a chain link fence post with my left side and a spring broke off. Ever since then it have cut unevenly. I just ordered a spring that looks identical to it but not sure where it goes. I have a craftsmen DT110 42" 17.5 HP riding mower and love it.

[@graemer66]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video I will check mine now. I do not think it is out but never thought to check front to back !. What would we do without the NET and people like yourself to help us through. Graeme in Australia.

[@AlexaTaganrog]

Thank you!

[@navimonge]

Great video on how to even it out the step by step really worked out , thank you for making this very detail step by step video.i am sure it's going to help alot of ppl

[@acote5020]

What I want to know is the correct height of the blade when it is set at 1?

[@jb8478]

That's what I was here for. Ever figure it out?

[@joshuakarlsen1377]

Are there any videos to help explain why my Craftsman LTS 2000 won't move forward or gold reverse while the engine is running?

[@nealwilliams6911]

Thank you, very helpful

[@GaryWebb-kb8db]

I have and older mower with a extented bar with holes located at different positions it only has one bar .

[@Cherishthemoment]

You should re-do and tell us what the high should be from the ground when lowered and raised….

[@lsubooth]

how do you measure the blade height for the enclosed side?

[@tbrown1352002]

Great video, thanks!

[@garytrim1761]

My new Craftsman T210 mower (2020) has only two scalp wheels. My older Craftsman YT4000 had four scalp wheels. Also can/should I add two additional wheels to my new mower?

[@searspartsdirect]

The manufacturer recommends against any alterations of the mower. Keep in mind that any manufacturer warranty claims can be disputed if you alter the mower. We recommend against adding the scalp wheels. The mower should work just fine with only 2 scalp wheels.

[@henryduke722]

How in the world can you check the other blade on the other side with no opening it's kind of ridiculous how to do that please tell me

[@searspartsdirect]

You can carefully reach under the mower deck on that side and mark the height of the blade on the ruler with your finger or a marker then pull the ruler out to see the measurement.

[@jerrymyers1839]

On the newer ones there is an adjustment not like the one he shows . On my friends mower was a brass looking nut with a 1/2 in. bolt in the center that you have to loosen then turn the bigger nut to adjust side to side and on the front a 3/4 in. nut with no locking /jam nut on it took me only 15 mins. to do .

[@mickeysadler5272]

Thank ya buddy.

[@paulzacher5672]

How do you adjust the side to side deck on c1000 riding mower

[@lezilewhitehurst466]

Helped me alot sir TY!😁👍

[@adambrown3478]

how do you measure the blade height on the side that has no shoot hole in it

[@hdrjunkie]

YOU LAY ON YOUR SIDE AND USE A SHORT RULER THAT FITS UNDER THE DECK.

[@ruperthester9407]

Use a mirror and a folded piece of paper with the ink line on it.

[@MrPhillyboy53]

I had no idea there was a leveling nut for both side to side and front to front. Thank you

[@alminlolic68]

Now we have ideas like me 2 my neighbor it's was mad after i cut them grass :) after i leveled my mower deck its looking much better

[@johnsparks007]

Good luck getting any of those adjustment bolts to move even an spec😢 when they're a year old full of grass and Rusty

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

My Husqvarna lgt2554 has never seemed to cut even, and if I drop my cutting height adjustment to the lowest setting, the deck hits the ground on about setting 3. So, I don't have much adjustment, from 4 to 7. My tires have equal pressure. Thank you, JohnG

[@searspartsdirect]

Your mower has side-to-side adjustment nuts on both sides of the mower deck. Adjust both sides and the front leveling nuts to lift the deck to its highest possible position then level the deck. We hope this information helps. If you need further assistance, let us know.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

@@searspartsdirect thank you

[@TubeBrowser2]

Great video, thank you.

[@titoace408]

My craftman doesn't have dose adjustments

[@jakerose1203]

My craftsman has the adjustment on one side but not the other, one side has just a straight hook and bolt to the deck no adjustment thread like the left side,?? 😕

[@romanpernal7397]

Great !

[@davidfontenot5223]

I level the mower deck and it maintains for about 2 mows then loses level. I can't figure it out. My mower is only 2 seasons old, only cuts my own yard and I pulled the blades once for sharpening and started having problems after replacing. I'm the only one who runs it, it hasn't ridden on a trailer since delivery.. I baby the thing. This make sense to anyone?

[@ravishinghunk2671]

I have the same problem with my Husqvarna. I have an adjustment on the left side for the back of the deck. None on the right side..

[@vyger6336]

Adjusting one side is the adjustment for both sides??

[@searspartsdirect]

Yes. For many riding mowers, only the left side of the deck has a side-to-side adjustment link.

[@jakerose1203]

​@@searspartsdirectthat makes sense. I noticed on the right side it has only a hooked shaped bar holding the deck to the mower and no threaded adjustment like the left side

[@dhukill1]

My mower cuts way to low for my taste. Even on the highest setting it cuts too low. Is there anyway to raise the overall height of the deck? Husqvarna 22v46

[@searspartsdirect]

Maximum cutting height for this mower is about 4-inches. Make sure that the tractor’s tires are fully inflated to help keep the deck elevated properly. You may be able to adjust the mower deck link adjustment nuts to raise the deck slightly upward. Make sure that you level the deck side-to-side and front-to-back after adjusting those nuts to raise the deck. If you’ve replaced mandrels on the deck, make sure that you installed the correct replacement mandrels because using incorrect replacement mandrels can lower blade height. Here’s a link (with a photo) of the correct mandrel for the mower deck on your Husqvarna riding mower: www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/532192872/0071/917.html.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Where can I find a user manual for a 1990s Craftsman model 917.256820, serial 031092S, 001405?

[@searspartsdirect]

We didn’t find an online copy of the exact manual for that lawn tractor available. Here’s a link for an online copy of the manual for a similar model: www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/917254520-craftsman-parts-manual The paper copy of the manual is still available. Here’s a link where you can order a copy of the exact manual for that model: www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/135384/0071/917.html

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@searspartsdirect Thank you! That is a pretty close match! Much appreciated!

[@hdrjunkie]

So at the decks highest setting, how high should the blades be from the ground? I think mine is too low.

[@searspartsdirect]

Maximum blade height varies by model. Many models have a maximum blade height of about 4 inches. Let us know the model number of your riding mower and we'll check on that specification for your mower.

[@hdrjunkie]

Mine is a Craftsman 2010 YTS3000 with the 46” two blade deck. I just cannot seem to get the deck set correctly, there’s always one strip of lawn that doesn’t seem to get cut. I have replaced both spindles twice and have tried all sorts of blades from different mfg’s.

[@hdrjunkie]

Also while I got you, what is the difference between the YT3000 and the YTS3000? Thanks again.

[@searspartsdirect]

@@hdrjunkie Maximum cutting height on a 2010 YTS3000 with a 46-inch deck is 4-inches. Here's a link for an online version of the owner's manual for that riding mower: www.searspartsdirect.com/manual/603c81fzag-000247/craftsman-917289240-front-engine-lawn-tractor . If the uncut strip of lawn is on the side of the cut, make sure that you check the tire air pressure and level the deck according to the instructions in this video. Make sure that you have the blades and mandrels installed correctly. The blades listed by the manufacturer for this mower are parts 532403107 (mulching blade-- www.searspartsdirect.com/product/40z49pts8g-0071-917/id-403107 ) and 405380 (high-lift bagging blade-- www.searspartsdirect.com/product/30gg1rbc8r-0071-917/id-405380 ). We recommend that you use a set of the manufacturer recommended blades on the mower. We hope these tips help. If you need further assistance, let us know.

[@searspartsdirect]

We don't see a YT3000 model offered in 2010. When a YT and YTS model are offered for a mower series, the YTS model typically has added features such as a textured step platform, a larger engine, a higher seat back and a larger gas tank.

[@Calibir1]

Why does the front of the blade have to be lower than the back? rather than at the same height?

[@searspartsdirect]

Tilting the mower deck slightly forward helps limit air flow to the rear portion of the deck and keeps grass clippings moving through the front of the deck to the discharge chute.

[@lontejay9454]

Very easy to follow instructional video! Had problem in correcting the heights to mower deck. It really doesn't matter what method you use to measure blade height so long as it's effective. Great instructional video!! I watched it 2-3 times to make sure I don't forget a step.... Thanks for your efforts to make it a "right" video. Thanks again and Jesus loves you, John 3:16-17 (KJV) Read Revelations (KJV) to see that we are living in the last days!

[@7775Kevin]

Thanks for the video

[@rathman4601]

I've done exactly as explained in the video. My issue is the cut in the middle of the deck is higher (between the blades). How do I adjust the blades' level across the whole deck?

[@searspartsdirect]

Make sure the blades aren’t bent by laying the blades on a flat surface. A bent blade won’t lay flat. Replace the blades if they’re bent. If the blades aren’t bent, then the mower deck may be bowed upward in the middle. Replace the deck if it’s bowed upward.

[@kartboarder22g17]

You can get your deck bent back, before spending big bucks buying a new deck....

[@joescheller6680]

deck is bent

[@greenmarine5]

Buy a lawn mower from a dealer, craftsman mowers are Junk.

[@johnabalos1455]

chaotic/Silence I don’t understand why you say craftsman mowers are junk , unless you have had a lot of issues with them.I have seen people have a lot of issues with expensive higher top of the line mowers.You see them in the repair shop also.I am not saying craftsman is problem free ,but I have seen craftsman mowers that are pretty old an still working great, of coarse someone has taking care not to abuse them further than their intended use.A lot of things can go wrong with any mower even mine, but you can have some degree of control just by taking time to doing a precheck & after check when using. This rings true for any lawn equipment instead of just firing it up an going about.Remembering that things aren’t made any more like they were back in the days, so you have to check your equipment carefully to prolong it’s life. I’ve caught issues with my Craftsman in the early stages before they were major,an also on my neighbors equipment to save them any headaches. Please reconsider your dilemma about craftsman mowers.

[@montydaniels1054]

WOW, what my stepson and I really found interesting was we don't even own any craftsman products...

[@bambam4LSU]

We apologize, not everyone can afford an quality mower, do enjoy your Murray mower.

[@mcconn746]

Good video but it would have been better if you had also shown measuring the blade on the off shoot side.

[@poolly4940]

Yes, what if you have a 3 blade mower, which are common?

[@rickschindler1556]

because you can't use a ruler or access the blade on the other side lmao. how can you tell it's level side to side if you only measure 1 side? didn't rotate the blade 180 degrees to make sure the blade isn't bent lol.

[@rickschindler1556]

also, changing the front to back will change the side to side so better to recheck

[@rongzhang7016]

Thanks for the video! I didn't see the lift link lock nut on my tractor, also my lift level is on the right side of the seat. The model number is 247.288811, so where to find the lift link lock nut on this model?

[@searspartsdirect]

Leveling the deck on your model of Craftsman tractor is covered in the owner’s manual on page 22. Here’s a link to the owner’s manual in case you need it: www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/247288811-craftsman-parts-manual. The drawings in the manual show the locations of the deck-leveling nuts for your model.

[@benmartin8058]

I like this vid.

[@samkitty5894]

There is only 1 adjustment for the rear on my mower, the one on the driver's side. This makes no sense.

[@Yconboy]

Super!!

[@keystone1355]

This makes no sense. Eject side has easy blade access but what mower has that on both sides? There’s no access to blades on left side…

[@kalonjohnson28]

How you measure the side without the shoot

[@searspartsdirect]

You can carefully reach under the mower deck on that side and mark the height of the blade on the ruler with your finger or a marker then pull the ruler out to see the measurement.

[@billbog25]

Kalon Johnson I used a piece of wood chim and broke the tip off so I could get under there. Mark the side of the chim with a pencil or marker. Mine was off one and a half inches! Now they are about 1/8 " off which is fine. This video was great thank you.

[@corivanbibber6096]

I use a 4 -5 inch bolt, put 2 nuts on it (the bottom nut keeps the top from moving once you set it) I go to the chute side and place the top nut to where it just fits under the cut side of the blade. Then on the opposite blade side you can't see you can put the bolt there and feel if it fits. If not you raise it until it does... usually you can place your thumb in the spot where the blade hits on the bolt to get an idea of how much you need to move it.

[@kevinwhitley4486]

Cori VanBibber Great tip!

[@nickkk420]

Park your mower on some 2x4s level is level doesn't matter if u add 2 inches equally

[@paulc1101]

This one has electric motor to raise + lower deck

[@colemancampbell2792]

THANK YOU

[@Gantzz321]

what about between blades, my drivers side blade tiles down in the center (where the two blades are closest), Even after replacing the blades.

[@searspartsdirect]

We recommend that you check for mower deck damage around the mandrel housing for the driver’s side blade. A crooked mandrel can cause an uneven cut in your situation.

[@joescheller6680]

deck is bent

[@greenmarine5]

Your deck is bent you probably ran over a heavy stick or hit something.

[@dinacaldwell7522]

Odd that you only show how to measure the blade height on the open side of the deck

[@JustMe-ml8mk]

YES - how the hell do u measure the side without the shoot - How about measuring the bottom of the deck itself I would think the bottom of the deck should be flat & level

[@searspartsdirect]

You can carefully reach under the mower deck on that side and mark the height of the blade on the ruler with your finger or a marker then pull the ruler out to see the measurement.

[@gregorysrock2321]

Ummmmm, Is the position 6, 6 inches above the ground orrrrrrr?

[@searspartsdirect]

The blade height at various positions of the blade height lever vary by mower model. Let us know the model number of your riding mower and we'll try to provide the blade height specification for cutting position 6.

[@gregorysrock2321]

@@searspartsdirect I have a Craftsman YS4500

[@searspartsdirect]

@@gregorysrock2321 The highest cutting position on that model will lift the cutting blades about 4-inches above the ground.

[@gregorysrock2321]

@@searspartsdirect great thanks

[@ImNotRite]

I have a YT3000. What should the blade height be?

[@henryduke8944]

How in the hell you going to check the blade level one side you can't even see the blade tell me tell me please

[@searspartsdirect]

You can carefully reach under the mower deck on that side and mark the height of the blade on the ruler with your finger or a marker then pull the ruler out to see the measurement. You can also cut a wood shim to the height of the chute side blade and determine whether the deck is level by placing the wood shim under the blade tip on the side without the chute. We hope this information helps. If you need further assistance, let us know.

[@potpie5417]

Great if you have a newer mower. I have a 6 year old Craftsman T1900. Leveling the deck side to side is much more difficult.

[@anniemaekeller398]

This is a 3 blade John Deere.

[@villagesinner9028]

The height should be within 1/8 inch... Of what?!

[@yourbugtokillagain]

Each end of blade and each blade on your mower.

[@searspartsdirect]

The blade tip height on one side of the mower deck should be within 1/8-inch of the blade tip on the other side of the mower deck for the deck to the level.

[@joescheller6680]

you are assuming that all decks have ajustment nuts, they do not

[@undrline]

this is nonsense. it only shows one blade which is sorta kinda accessible via the grass chute ... he's not even holding the ruler straight.

[@greenmarine5]

Craftsman lawn mowers use to be good, 25 years ago, since the 90's they are probably the worst engineered lawn mowers on the market. Do your self a favor and buy a John Deer, Kabota, Snapper, Cub Cadet, Toro From a Dealer and not a chain store. MTD makes everyone of the brands I said for chain stores. If you buy from a dealer you get the actual brand and much higher quality, and customer service.

[@kamX-rz4uy]

Nothing against supporting dealers but how about some truth and clarity? Craftsman mowers are based on other companies models. Whether a model is good or bad depends on the underlying model. The current crop are Troy-Bilt (MTD) so I would avoid them. I have a JD D140 and my in-law's Craftsman is nearly identical (based on JD D160). Of the brands you mentioned, Cub Cadet is owned by MTD who has also been making Toro's low end models for the last 10 years or so. Buying the same model at a dealer doesn't help. John Deere makes their own and local dealers inspect and support the tractors sold at the big box stores (the dealers sell the same models but also have access to many others). Snapper is made by Briggs & Stratton. I have no idea about Kubota other than they have a plant in Georgia.

[@nbakerusaf]

this is an absolute fact.

[@kamX-rz4uy]

Unfortunately Sears no longer sells Husqvarna garden tractors. They are all MTD now. According to this page Craftsman mowers have a unique mowing decks that are better so at least that is something: todaysmower.com/riding-mower-brands/

[@tomgreen1423]

kam2244 X this model in the video is a Husqvarna. Change the color and a few handles and knobs and you got yourself a husq!! Enjoy

[@kamX-rz4uy]

This is an interesting model made during the transition to all MTDs for the US. Based on the front grill openings, extended front chin, position of the side vents, hood vent design, shape of the body in the back half and a few other things, I would have thought MTD but this was indeed made by Husqvarna. It uses the MTD-Sears basic design language but contains parts shared with other Husqvarnas. They stopped making this model in 2016. Looking at the Sears website there are two listed that appear related and actually have more Husqvarna clues: 917.20407 and 917.20409, but neither are available for delivery or store pickup. The rest of the models currently listed all start with "247." which is the manufacturer code for MTD. There is a Husqvarna zero turn mower 917.27773 available. Get it while you can. todaysmower.com/sears-husqvarna-group-lawn-tractors-108-year-continuous-manufacturing-relationship-stops/

[@henryduke722]

Well it did not help how in the hell you going to measure the other side don't have an opening I have a Craftsman 46 inch cut piece of junk ever bought

[@PreferredTreeHealthCare]

Bull smh

[@colbyataylor]

I like boys

[@brenthill5596]

This is truly a piss poor design and the build quality is really bad. The assembly of my mower at Sears must have been done by crackheads. One side of the deck is 4" left rear and 3" left front. Right rear is 3" and right front is 2 1/2" . The 21hp Briggs motor has leaked oil since new. I should have spent more and purchased a real commercial grade mower from a reputable dealer. I've also had nothing but troubles with all the appliances I purchased from Sears. The tech guy has been out here about 7 times in 2 years. I'll never shop at Sears again.

[@griffin8062]

Sears crap has really gone downhill, I bought a riding mower from them 5 years ago and it has been nothing but trouble. Just like yours, the deck keeps going out of level, it doesn't want to start properly, it runs out of power as you are mowing and it's built terribly. Never again sears.

[@TupacAShakurAfeni]

Thank you!

[@KevinSechrist]

Awesome video, thank you much!