Part of the dealer prep of my machine undoubtedly included leveling the blades. I was reading the procedure in my manual, and I see that the blades should be level from side to side +/- 1/8". And from front to back, the front should be lower than the back by no more than 1/4" and no less than 1/8". Here is my question. The salesman told me that the rear is the lowest part of the deck on these machines. He said that helps to create a partial vacuum to aid in the processing of clippings. Idk which is right. Any help?
Mowing Blade leveling Zero turn
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prosperity
Platinum Member
He's probably talking about the shell of the deck itself being lower in the rear. When doing the deck leveling (your figures are correct) the measurements are taken from the ends of the blades themselves.
This is what is used to perform that:
Actually I am impressed that the dealer did the leveling routine - I've always had to do it myself.
This is what is used to perform that:
Actually I am impressed that the dealer did the leveling routine - I've always had to do it myself.
RG1
Platinum Member
Since I use my Z to make my living, pitch and knowing how to set it for what works best is important to me.
The best pitch will depend on what machine you run, but most JD's do their best work for cut and striping ability when the pitch is set at 1/4" with your weight on the seat., which means about 3/8" when you're not. Do the check over a dead flat surface. It doesn't have top be perfectly level, but even a small dip or hump can throw the readings and thus the setting off. If you have a 1/8" dip up at the left front of the machine, and a hump at the right rear, you are starting with the settings off by a 1/4" without having done anything to the machine yet.
I have used that gauge in the picture above for about 12 years. It is so easy to use and so handy to boot when trying to accurately measure everything.
The pitch is set on the blades themselves, with the two outer blades pointing perfectly straight front to rear. Measure at the bottom side of the cutting edge as close to the end of the blade as you can and still be on the blade.
The best pitch will depend on what machine you run, but most JD's do their best work for cut and striping ability when the pitch is set at 1/4" with your weight on the seat., which means about 3/8" when you're not. Do the check over a dead flat surface. It doesn't have top be perfectly level, but even a small dip or hump can throw the readings and thus the setting off. If you have a 1/8" dip up at the left front of the machine, and a hump at the right rear, you are starting with the settings off by a 1/4" without having done anything to the machine yet.
I have used that gauge in the picture above for about 12 years. It is so easy to use and so handy to boot when trying to accurately measure everything.
The pitch is set on the blades themselves, with the two outer blades pointing perfectly straight front to rear. Measure at the bottom side of the cutting edge as close to the end of the blade as you can and still be on the blade.
sunnyside360
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Have to agree with all the above and further emphasize the value of the blade leveling tool shown above and available at the John Deere store. I've been using the tool for a long time.
Ok so if I understand correctly, both pitch AND side to side leveling are done using the leveling tool on the two outer blades only. The front center blade is not used during the leveling process. Also, when adjusting pitch, if you do this using the two outer blades pointing both straight from front to back, then set the pitch so the front end of the blade is a bit lower than the back end of the blade. So that would mean that when you're done, the front center blade will be even lower yet, since it rides out forward of the two back blades. Right?
RG1
Platinum Member
Not exactly. The tool is only for measuring. You set the pitch by making adjustments to your own machine as outlined in your owners manual. All the blades are on the same plane basically since you are pitching them instead of the entire deck. The actual difference from the blade tip in the center to the ground (at the front end) when it is pointing front to rear is almost non existent from the side blades. If you pitched only the center blade and not the side blades, you'd still end up with the same exact scenario, only with less chance of catching anything out of whack. If you try to set the pitch on all three exactly the same, you'll just end up frustrating yourself over nothing. Trust me, if it mattered, I'd do it to mine. I have been setting both pitch and level for a lot of years on a lot of different machines, and have yet to have one not cut great when done. Don't worry that you'll end up with some sort of small trough at the center. You won't.
The side to side should be done first with the two outer blades pointing straight to each side, then do the pitch. The pitch on JD's works best when set to be 3/8" front to rear on the blades themselves, not the deck shell. then when your weight is on it, the pitch will be right at 1/4".
patchnball
Bronze Member
yep been trying to adjust deck on x530 using tool provided.....well....gave up and went back to measuring off blade tips......it works
prosperity
Platinum Member
I guess I don't understand what you are saying - the tool shown is what is used for measuring off the blade tips.
SandburRanch
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I use a shop made tool I wouldn't trade for a dozen of those JD gauges. It has no numbers to remember, record or be concerned with.
patchnball
Bronze Member
yes prosperity you are correct. I tried to use "deck" gauge to level deck as instructed by JD, Only problem with that is my deck doesn't level blades doing that way. Thus I used a bolt......tool.... to level blades independent of mower deck.