John Deere Freedom 42 Mower Deck

[scnebraska]

I have a John Deere Freedom 42 mulching deck, but have no idea what it came off of. Is this a multi-fit deck or is it for a specific application? The deck I have is complete and in perfect condition; I just want to sell it.

I've got one on an LX255. Cuts like a charm if I have it set-up correctly. Biggest problem for me is getting the timing belt set correctly.

 

[rtravelbee]

My Freedom deck is doing the same thing. I just changed the belt and as you spin the blades they eventually hit. I unfortunately cannot find a diagram for routing either belt. Any help you could give?

Thanks
Randy

 

[JJZ 109]

My Freedom deck is doing the same thing. I just changed the belt and as you spin the blades they eventually hit. I unfortunately cannot find a diagram for routing either belt. Any help you could give?

Thanks
Randy

Wow, this thread was originally started in 2005! That's bringing it back from the dead, but you're still on topic.
It's been several years since I owned one of these decks, but the blades have to be positioned in such a way that they're timed to miss each other. If you were looking at the deck while it was standing up on it's rearmost edge, one blade would be straight up and down (like 12:30 on a clock) and the other would be straight across (like 2:45) if I'm recalling things correctly.

 

[rtravelbee]

I did that and opposed the dots on the pulleys, set the deck up on end for a visual, and spun the pulleys. Within 50 or 60 turns they are hitting again. I'm at a lose.
Thanks for responding and i'll go play with it some more.
Thanks

 

[JJZ 109]

I did that and opposed the dots on the pulleys, set the deck up on end for a visual, and spun the pulleys. Within 50 or 60 turns they are hitting again. I'm at a lose.
Thanks for responding and i'll go play with it some more.
Thanks

Sorry that I didn't quite steer you in the right direction, but as I say I was trying to go by memory of several years and many mowers ago. Hopefully someone with more accurate & recent information than I will chime in here.

 

[rtravelbee]

I figured it out. There is a spring tensioner for one of the pulleys. I adjusted the pulley, which in turn tighten the belt. It stays in time now and I mowed a copy of strips in the rain.
Thanks for the responses.

Randy

 

[likemydeeres]

I have the same problem with a used LT 155 w 42 Freedom mulching deck I just purchased. It leaves about a 4-6 inch uncut strip in the middle of the cutting path. I checked the blade arrangement (perpendicular to each other) and the length of the blades is such that they should be overlapping cut in the middle instead of not cutting in the middle. My original LT 155 which I have had for 6 years or more has been the best mower I have ever had. That's why I got this second one used as JD does not make thus model any more and the X300 series they now sell as a mulching mower is extremely inferior to the LT 155. In fact I bought one of those to have a second mulching mower and finally bought the regular cutting deck for it to replace the poor performing mulching deck originally purchased with it. Anyway, wish someone could help solve the non-cut center area.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

1 blade's pulley is 2-3 inches in front of the other blade so that they can overlap. If the grass is not stiff, meaning a bit wilty from drought or lack of water, there will be a strip in the middle. Sometimes, tall weeds don't get knocked down if they are ran over near the edges. I guess these decks just don't have that good of a "vacuum" effect like a good ole Snapper Hi-Vac single blade. I have a gravel road and am constantly having to sharpen my blades from hitting or sucking up gravel rocks.

My deck might be a 42" "Edge", is that the same as you are talking about?

 

[David58601]

I have an LT166 with 42 inch freedom deck. I have been told they split the serial numbers and parts in the middle of the production year. I only find model number on boilerplate on back of tractor. Don't know where to look for Serial Number. I just need to find correct number for the deck timing belt, Don't know if it is the 225 tooth belt.

 

[hutchman]

Wow, the thread comes back again.

I have one of these decks on my SST-16 which has to be the worst tractor Deere ever made.

My serial number is on a big tag stuck on the engine.

 

[Stirlingsmith]

I just sold my lt155 to family member after owning it for 10+ years from new. I loved this mower. Any problems I had were self induced. I had the stripping problems and my brother did also ( another happy LT 155 owner). They were always because of wrong replacement of either new replacement blades or after sharpening. It is a hard thing to admit and easy to install incorrectly. If your having issues, check blades and have a open mind that they may be wrong. Also make sure the tension indicator (spring and washer setup) are set right. The weak point of this mower is that it does leave some uncut grass if you are turning. I just had to adapt my mowing pattern to allow for this. I loved to frustrate my friends by mowing between showers on a rainy week and having it look awesome. I could have mowed in the rain if it wouldn't have made me look like a wack job.

 

[victorpeters]

Mine does too. Always has. Dealer can't help except to say don't get a mulching Freedom 42.

 

[victorpeters]

I have a problem with the blades turning when they are turned off. I disengage, and they stop. But when I raise the deck they start again. Why is that? How do you level the deck? I inherited this with no manual.

 

[beenthere]

How do you level the deck?

Steps to level deck.

On flat surface:
Check and set correct air pressure in all four tires.
Raise deck wheels.
Set height stop at say 2 1/2"
Check outer blade tip on right and left for correct height of 2 1/2".. adjust hangers if necessary.
Check for and aft blade tips so for is 1/4" lower than aft.. adjust bail if necessary.
Reset deck wheels so they are 1/4 to 1/2 inch above ground at whatever height you want to mow.