1995 12-38 Deck 4" low in front at ...all cutting levels

[Carver 9]

Wheel Horse newbie here.  I moved this post from the electrical section where I was shown shown great generosity of knowledge and time.

I just bought this mower from a young man that said his dad had the deck off for years and just used ti for hauling kids in wagons etc. He put the deck back on and could not get it to run. turned out that the problem was a missing seat switch.

It has brand new belts and blades so $50 was a bargain I think.

 

 

The deck is very low in the front and has apparently been like that for a very long time.

The right front part of the deck has been dragged on the ground ( or concrete ) so long the lip of the deck has been ground loose and bent down. see close up pic. and try not to laugh at how he the blade on upside down 

I can trim this tab off with a grinder, but have not been able to figure out the source of the problem. The height adjustment is at the highest position in the photo.

The back of the deck is about 4" higher than the front regardless of the height adjustment.
The back "adjustment bar" is connected to the lowest hole and I can see history where it has been mounted in the upper holes at different times.

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,241]

Here is a link to the operator manual. The last 12 pages cover the mower deck.

 

[kpinnc 13,704]

The front of the deck should ride slightly lower than the rear, but not that much. 

 

Just FYI for when you adjust it. Don't set it perfectly level. The front being lower provides relief for the cutting disc. 

[Carver 9]

Thanks !

 

things are slowly starting to make sense.  I couldn't figure out why it had multiple pivot points in sequence. Now I see it shouldn't !   The kid I bought it from just used whatever he had to hang it back on the mower.

 

I might need to find a photo of what the adjustment points should look like to make sure I am not missing anything.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,241]

The illustrated parts lists usually have very accurate illustrations. You can download the IPL using the link above.

Since this unit was sold as a riding mower both the tractor and deck are in the same ipl.

Manual change mid-year and your serial is a "B"

[Carver 9]

On 3/20/2025 at 8:37 PM, gwest_ca said:

The illustrated parts lists usually have very accurate illustrations. You can download the IPL using the link above.

Since this unit was sold as a riding mower both the tractor and deck are in the same ipl.

Manual change mid-year and your serial is a "B"

Thanks ! I couldn't figure out what determined A or B designation.
From from the only pic I found so far ( I'll try to locate a better pic from the  ipl now ) it looks like there should be an adjustment plate of some sort where the front connections are. I have about an extra 1/4" of empty space on the shoulder bolt at that  point. If I locate a good pic I can probably fabricate replacements.