Uneven lawn cut

[EdB3]

I recently purchased a new x380 to replace my 87 318 due to an oil leak I couldn't find. While I won't yet admit it was a mistake as I only have 3 hours on the x380 but I'm unhappy with the uneven cut as well as how the tractor was delivered by the local JD dealer.

Tractor is a standard x380 with the 48 accel deep deck, manual mulch control and manual deck lift. No P/S or other bells and whistles. We moved to FL and I'm cutting a lawn of what looks like to me (a northerner) the healthiest crabgrass I've ever seen, it's called centipede grass, with some Bahia & Bermuda mixed in but basically centipede. Lawn is Florida flat, cut height is 3½ inches.

Leveling the 318 deck was always a bit of a challenge to me but I could get it right for a nice even cut. Adjusting the mowing height was part art and science but that too was successfully accomplished. JD did make leveling the new deck very easy.

I convinced myself to let the dealer find & repair the oil leak and a weak moment I bought the x380 but told myself how easy it would be to adjust the deck and simply dial the height! No more repairs and a 4-year warranty!

It was delivered with zero set-up, maybe that was an extra option, tire pressure was 26 & 18 on the rear and 14 & 10 on the front. No biggie as I have a compressor and there are a few great how to x380 videos as there was no manual, "it was left on the tractor by mistake and it rained overnight, new one is on order."

I've cut the lawn three times and have the three poorest cuts I think I've ever done. Tomorrow I'll remove the deck to check for a bent blade but was wondering of any other possibilities to check.

Apologies for the rant. :confused3:

 

[TractorGuy]

I hate reading accounts like this. You kind of expect no setup from a box store but even then there is no excuse for it. Having a lawn tractor come from a dealer not setup is inexcusable.

I hope you checked on their return policy before you bought and are within that time. That is too much money to pay for a machine if it can't be set up to cut evenly.

Here is a video I watched on leveling the X380 deck. This guy doesn't impress me with his tool handling but the information may help someone. One thing that stands out is he doesn't have his front wheels turned straight. Not sure if that will affect the end result but seems like it might.

How to Level John Deere X380 Deck | Most overlooked mower maintenance point - YouTube

 

[s219]

How about a picture of your deck? I'd be curious to see how your deck wheels are set. (I'll explain why after seeing the pics).

 

[jaydee325]

While you are waiting for your owners manual, here is a link where you can view one. LINK

 

[EdB3]

How about a picture of your deck? I'd be curious to see how your deck wheels are set. (I'll explain why after seeing the pics).

Please see the photos, I leveled the deck twice, checked again this morning and it was level per the gauge, tire pressure was 10# rear, 14# front. Anti scalp wheels are set 3/8" above garage floor with deck set at the cutting height.

 

[EdB3]

Thank you, that was the video I watched and did download instx from the JD site. Please see the photos, I leveled the deck twice, checked again this morning and it was level per the gauge, tire pressure was 10# rear, 14# front. Anti scalp wheels are set 3/8" above garage floor with deck set at the cutting height.

 

[EdB3]

Thank you jaydee325

 

[EdB3]

Please see the photos, I leveled the deck twice, checked again this morning and it was level per the gauge, tire pressure was 10# rear, 14# front. Anti scalp wheels are set 3/8" above garage floor with deck set at the cutting height. possible duplicate reply.

 

[AlleganyAcres]

Looking at the pictures the anti scalp wheels are not set the same on both sides. On my GT245 the are identical. Could this be a factor in the uneven cut?

 

[MossRoad]

Looking at the pictures the anti scalp wheels are not set the same on both sides. On my GT245 the are identical. Could this be a factor in the uneven cut?

Like he said...

I see the wheels set at 4pin holes on the right side of the tractor and 2 pinholes on the left side of the tractor. Why?

 

[LD1]

I think the anti-scalp wheels are just too low.

3/8" on a flat level garage is not enough unless your lawn is equally as flat and smooth as the garage floor.

Any undulations in the terrain and they are gonna be riding the deck up and down.

 

[beenthere]

Please see the photos, I leveled the deck twice, checked again this morning and it was level per the gauge, tire pressure was 10# rear, 14# front. Anti scalp wheels are set 3/8" above garage floor with deck set at the cutting height. possible duplicate reply.

Agree with others, clearly the deck is not adjusted side to side to specs outlined in the manual. Check your procedure. Maybe recite that procedure here and it will point out what step may be missing.
We all want to help you get it right so it will mow right. Meaning we are on your side, not trying to be against you.

 

[EdB3]

Thank you, could be an issue, I will raise the anti scalp wheels to 3/4" or so. The dealer did take the mower back yesterday to check it out and called today with no answer other than the anti-scalping wheel height is set too low but they will perform a full check. They said the deck was level.

 

[EdB3]

Thank you, could be an issue, I will raise the anti scalp wheels to 3/4" or so. The dealer did take the mower back yesterday to check it out and called today with no answer other than the anti-scalping wheel height is set too low but they will perform a full check. They said the deck was level.

 

[EdB3]

Thanks for your reply, I noticed the brackets which hold the anti-scalp wheels are not all the same height from the floor with the deck set at mowing height and the wheels in the full raised position. Front left is about 1/2" lower than the left rear while the right front & rear are the same height. The deck looks to be in perfect condition, no dents perhaps a bad weld? I also noticed the front left wheel does not ride at a 90 angle to the forward motion of the tractor. Right side front and read are in a 90 degree angle.

 

[EdB3]

Hello, listen, if I'm at fault so be it, I don't think of mistakes as errors but as learning experiences. How I leveled the deck on my agrage floor which does seem level:
1. set brake
2. adjust tire pressure front 14# rear 10#
3. set deck to 2 1/2" for leveling and raise all anti-scalp wheels
4. level with the plastic level gauge and tool, left rear, right rear, front, left rear again, left rear agin and front again. Repeat until all are the same height
5. set deck to mowing height and lower anti-scalp wheels to approx. 3/8"

I'm told this height is too low and should be 3/4"-1"

I have noticed the brackets which hold the anti-scalp wheels are not all the same height from the floor with the deck set at mowing height and the wheels in the full raised position. Front left is about 1/2" lower than the left rear while the right front & rear are the same height. The deck looks to be in perfect condition, no dents perhaps a bad weld? I also noticed the front left wheel does not ride at a 90 angle to the forward motion of the tractor. Right side front and read are in a 90 degree angle.

Thanks again.

 

[ruffdog]

Sometimes the anti-scalp wheel pin holes are NOT accurate when compared to the blade height. Case in point.....my X744 and it's 62" deck. I run the wheels one hole lower on one side than the other side because I want the blades level, not symmetrical looking wheels. This puts the wheels and blades on parallel planes. Yes, I used the blade height guage, checked tire pressure etc etc etc.

 

[Deere Dude]

The left anti scalp roller seems crooked as stated. Don't know if weldment is off, but still should not affect cutting.

Are you ,measuring from the blade tips or the bottom of the deck?

 

[EdB3]

Bottom of the deck, not blade.

PS I agree and am not offended.

 

[beenthere]

Your leveling technique/procedure appears to be right on.. I would get a block of wood and check that the tips of the blades are all the same or within an 1/8" of being the same.

Sounds like your dealer doesn't have a clue what to do, and when I worked some part time with a good local JD dealer, learned that the shop manager was setting up a JD mower for a large local farmer that bought a lot of JD equipment. That farmer was always complaining about how poorly his JD $10,000 mower was cutting. I was sent out to check.. the mower deck wasn't even close to being "leveled" per the procedure outlined. Got him fixed up and learned a bit more about the shop manager.. 'nuff said.
So think it is up to you to find out what is wrong, and toss the knowledge back to this dealer. Or ask for a new deck, or lawn tractor that the deck can be leveled, and one that is of the quality of your 318 (if I recall correctly that it is what you had before). Those are $10k tractors now, to be equivalent.