Hi, got a Craftsman 20 Hp 42 inch cut , the Deck will not lay flat, it is always on a angle. any ideas ? No matter what the cut height is set at.

sounds like the spindel bearings going bad next time feel spindles for heat ounds like one or more are bad need to be replaced.

I've had to do this at least 5 times. If you look under the body, there are two supports that carry the mower deck and lift and lower it. Each of these has a nut that holds up the deck and the nut is on a stud that goes up and down when you raise or lower the lever. Put the deck in the middle of it's range, around #3, make sure the key is off, move your blades so they are on the right and left edge of the deck.
Get yourself a device to measure blade to ground height, I have a block of wood that is 3 inches long. Make sure your floor or ground is level and tires are properly pumped up. Then raise or lower the adjustment nuts until both sides are equal height.

Gary

Hi,

Here is the xploded diagram for that...

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/Riding-mower-tractor-Parts/Model-917271190/0247/1509200/P0402126/00010?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

heatman101

just bought a new craftsman riding mower. model lt1500. 17.5 hp with 42 inch deck. first time using I had the deck hight handle set on 6 the highest setting and still cuts grass to short, matter of fact it scalped the grass. anyway to set the deck higher. Its only 3 days old and still under warranty but the sears store is 20 miles away and I rented a trailer to go pick it up and hate to go rent another trailer to bring it back if its just a simple adjustment.

i have a 16.5 hp with a 42 deck for some reason one blade cuts alot lower then the other is there a way to adjust thanks

Safety switch at seat or reverse. Mower will cut of when blades are engaged if you get off the seat or put into reverse. Check these switches for stuck on, damaged, disconnected, or just plain broke. Good luck.

The dial only sets the height or the total deck, it is more of a stop than an adjuster.

If it seems too low in the front, you can adjust it by tightening the nuts on the 2 bolts/pins that are attached to the deck and the frame.

First of all, though, check your tire pressures, 10 psi in the rear and 14 psi in the front. If front pressures are too low, this will make a huge difference in your cut. You want to adjust the bolts an equal amount to maintain your side to side level keeping in mind that it should have 1/4 to 1/2 " difference front to rear.

Make your adjustments on your driveway or garage floor so you have a flat level surface to go by.

If you make these adjustments and it still scalps, you will either have to set the deck to cut a bit higher or approach the high spots from a different angle or remember to lift the deck up a bit with the handle when you get to those areas

Hope this solves your problem

when you put the new blades on did you notice if they were even with each other? the 42" decks have a tendency to "warp" inward on the left side. this causes the left blade to ride at an angle to the right blade - there is a tool to correct this, but not all shops have it - sometimes you can remove the deck, flip it over and wallop the inside edge of the left mandrel until the blades are even - a 2 lb. sledge works well for this

Hi,
When the mower is off and the clutch is disengaged you should not be able to physically turn the blade(s) if you can then you need to adjust the blade brake (look on the mower deck and you should see what appears to be a brake pad). Your owners manual will show you how to adjust. If you need a copy of the owners manual then I would suggest going to www.managemyhome.com and downloading a free copy of the manual for your mower (Need model number which starts is located under the seat).
Good luck!

belt routing diagrams are sometimes on the underside of the running board [so when you are laying on your back, you can look up and see it, left side usually]. on a 46 inch deck, it's probable that the diagram is on the rear, center of the deck, you can see it by going behind the tractor, kneeling down and looking forward at the deck