New X749 with 54C deck has terrible cut quality

[Gator6x4]

If very little upward movement it will not be long before something will give. I don't think the mower lift system was designed to support the weight of the 749 to many times when the anti scalp wheels encounter a high spot and try to force the deck upwards and is tasked with trying to push the deck and the 749 up.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have been watching this thread with curiosity so I just went outside to see how much movement my deck has. I can lift either side a couple of inches, seems to have enough play not to be an issue. I would think if the deck is rigid you do have a problem with linkage hanging up. My x749 cuts evenly with standard blades and the MC519 cart and blower works well. I did not care for the mulching plug when first using it but have to say the grass was taller than it should have been. I may put it back on and see how well it works with normal cutting heights. This summer mowing my lawn I have used a bungee cord to hold the flap open with the standard blades, seems to be alright and spreads the clippings out better.

 

[coobie]

Unfortunately, I would have to agree that the cut quality on the JD X7xx series does suck compared to other mowers I had. The Scag Tiger Cat I had put the JD X748 w/the 60" 7-iron deck to shame. I think it is mainly because the deck on my JD X748 is rigid and does not float like the Scag's Velocity Plus deck, which the Scag used chain links to make the Velocity Plus deck float across bumps and etc. The JD cuts well on the flat areas of the lawn, but when you hit bumps, hills, banks and etc., the mower digs in as shown in the picture I attached. Unfortunately, my X748 has been back to dealer to check this issue and they said it was the tire pressure, but when I got it back, the tractor mowed the same way. Heck my Woods PRD8400 mower on my JD 4520 put the X748's deck's cut quality to shame when cutting the same area, but again the Woods deck floats. I think if JD would make the deck float on the X7xx tractors and put an anti-scalping roller in the middle of the decks, it would improve the cut quality of their deck.

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Have to agree.My 2011 JD X740 with the 7 Iron deck can,t compare (cut quality wise) with my 1996 ingersoll 4020 48 inch deck.My JD deck scalps the heck out of my lawn.Not to impressed at this point.I will address it in the spring of 2014.

 

[Jimh4662]

I checked the movement while set i up position and in the float position. Its tight. Might have an inch or two movement. It would seem likely to have more for better terrain rolling.

 

[JDTank]

I regularly cut with my deck set at 2.75 on the knob, and my yard is quite uneven. Technically, the deck should push up all the way until the arms reach the end of their travel. The deck arms do not have down pressure. The point of the system is specifically so the deck will raise up to allow for uneven ground. If your deck will not lift up when your gauge wheels make contact, something is wrong with your machine.

 

[Gittyup]

Don't know about the newer machines, but on my 425 there are hooks that can be used to lock the deck lift in the up position. However, these hooks can get between the frame and the lift arms, preventing the lift arms from rising to max height. Worth look for anyway.