Question about 2554 deck

JSharp · May 5, 2006

Hi, first post here. Nice forum by the way!

I just got my 2554 yesterday and after using it for about 5 hours I can say that overall I'm very happy with it. No question in my mind it's the nicest little tractor you can buy for the $$

I do have a question for anyone knowlegable about the deck though.

The owners manual states to set the initial deck height using the deck lift lever, then adjust the deck outrigger wheels until they just contact the ground. That's exactly what I did and the deck mows just fine.

But, I noticed on uneven ground sometimes the wheels seem to be "hard into" the ground. With the outrigger wheels set for ground contact when the deck rides up on one side or the other it seems as if it would put upward pressure on the lift mechanism that's of course latched down.

I haven't looked at the deck lift mechanism under the tractor to see how it works exaclty, but I just want to make sure I'm not putting things in a bind somehow.

I guess I'm just trying to confirm that the manual is correct and that I read it correctly...

TIA for any help!

JTKub · May 6, 2006

I'm glad you posted this over here JS. Hopefully another 54" owner, or one of the dealer fellas will chime in! 3K series owners too- does the 54" ride on the ground?

Joel (JTK over at BITOG)

JSharp · May 6, 2006

I hope I get some replies too JTK. I knew who you were. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I checked the manual yet again this AM before I started mowing and it *seems* pretty clear. Set the basic height with the lift lever, then set the wheels to just contact the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The deck is easier to work and seems to ride a little better now that things have loosened up from use so maybe this whole thing is nothing to worry about. I would like to know though.

I mowed about 3 hours again today and I couldn't be happier with this mower. The cut is so smooth and the clippings are cut very fine and spread well. It even handled my grass that had gotten way too long without problems.

So far I've had all the neighbors stop by to check it out, most of them owners of JD's along with a friend who did greens keeping for a living but now does maintenance for a little town nearby. They're all impressed with the unit too. I was sort of unsure of the tractor in the beginning but I'm starting to feel like I made a wise purchase.

Ed_S · May 7, 2006

I thought that when the deck is up on one side that it is pushing against spring tension on the lift mechanism. I don't think that they are any different than the rest of the 2500 series. I'll have to look at the lift mechanics on Monday when I cut my grass ... now you have me wondering. I do know that the 54" deck does not like to be on too much of an angle or you will hear some rubbing. That is the issue I have with mine, as my lawn has a lot of slopes. I probably should have went for a smaller deck for that reason ... but that would not have been as much fun!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scottd · May 7, 2006

It is my understanding that the 54 inch HD deck can be used in a suspended mode or a ground mode depending on your preference. I use the deck stop to adjust the deck heights with the wheels and back piece adjusted about 1 inch off the level garage floor. I have a 3200 I do not know if that is different than yours.

JTKub · May 7, 2006

Ed, if you need more travel between the top of the deck and the bottom of the tractor, you should raise the gauge wheels to get the deck shell lower. My experience with the 'floating' deck LT/GT's I've owned and operated, you let the deck hang/float from it's suspension at your desired cut hight, then set the gauge wheels down just enough to prevent the deck shell from hitting the ground on uneven terrain. With the deck set to desired cut hight on my 44", my gauge wheels rarely touch ground. They spin from contact with the tips of the grass blades and weeds! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Joel

Ed_S · May 7, 2006

I may try to run the wheels up just a bit Joel. But, as JSharp pointed out, the wheels should be contacting the ground (per owners manual). The only time I see the issue is when I hit too much transition, too quickly. That big deck is trying to go too many ways at once.

Ed

Bob_Bainbridge · May 7, 2006

My yard is uneven in places and I run the 54 inch deck, on my 3235, in ground-following mode so the wheels and rollers are supporting the full weight of the deck at all times. This gives me an even cut with no scalping and also creates nice striping when I mow in alternate directions.

Bob B.

JSharp · May 8, 2006

I did some mowing this weekend in my rough grass with the deck all the way up and didn't bother to reset the wheels from the lower position. It mowed fine but I wasn't concerned with scalping or evenness of cut.

I think I'm going to leave them as is for now. I'll run the deck with them contacting the ground where I want a nice even cut, and not bother to move them down when I cut higher in the rough stuff. If nothing else it's one less thing I have to change or adjust each time I mow and with them up out of the way I won't have to worry so much about them catching on something buried in my tall grass.

JTKub · May 8, 2006

That sounds like a good plan. Those outrigger style wheels on the 54" are about as heavy-duty as it gets. The design of the wheel assembly looks like it takes the stress off the deck shell, or atleast spreads the load out. It's nice to have the choice of letting her float or letting her ride. The wheels that attach direct to the deck shell (like my 44") will crack the deck over time with repeated ground contact. With your 54", I'd float it over rough ground and let it ride on the good stuff.

Joel