mattd860 162 #1 Posted June 26, 2012 I recently installed a Powerflow vacuum bagger on a 48" deck on my 520H. Since the vacuum adds a good deal of weight to the right side of the deck, the deck is now cutting very uneven. The right side of the deck cuts much lower than the left side. I've verified that the tire pressures are all the same and also the deck cuts true when no bagger installed. Also, when the tractor is parked in my garage, I measured each side of the deck and both sides measured even. It seems to me that the deck solely rides on the two rear wheels. When on a hard surface (like my garage floor), the deck will remain level, but on a soft and uneven surface, the right side deck wheel will 'sink' or dig in deeper than the left side due to the added weight on the right side of the deck. Am I the only one that has this problem? What are some possible solutions???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,147 #2 Posted June 26, 2012 If you can't compensate with the deck adjustments, maybe... try adding the same amount of weight to the other side of the deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,252 #3 Posted June 27, 2012 Sloped Cut with Vac Bagger 42" & 48" decks, 07-4XVC01, 79301, Spring kit 94-1592 to counter-balance blower on right side of deck, Installation instructions included Service bulletin Toro91-presGT #GT23 Balance Vac Bagger 42in 48in Decks Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #4 Posted June 27, 2012 Hmmmm. Very interesting. I still wonder if others are experiencing a similar problem here on the forums. Even the service bulletin implies not all mowers are affected by the sloped cut. I wonder why some are and some aren't. I will buy this kit and see if it helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #5 Posted June 27, 2012 Matt on my 42 mine was cutting a uneven too. I had the spring kit on and I did not notice a difference. It might on your 48. I rarely use mine for grass, almost totally for leaf pickup. Plus I have a dedicated deck just for leaf pick up. Since the VAC blower is so hard on the deck I use one of famous 42 sprung deck. So I know it will cut uneven. I think the whole problem is the Vac blower was a good idea that just did not work out as planned do to the weight hanging out there on that deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,398 #6 Posted June 27, 2012 Matt, I wonder if it would be possible to add a wider deck tire to the side with the blower on it ? Not sure if you have room to do so? It would certainly distribute the added weight better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #7 Posted June 27, 2012 I wonder how other deck/vac-bagger manufacturers like John Deere overcome this problem??? I think a bigger tire might solve part of the problem but I still suspect the deck to lean to the right. I think adding weight to the left side of the deck may be the best idea. Does anyone know how much the vacuum assembly weighs? I'm also thinking about making adjustable anti-scalp wheels in the front like the newer Toro or JD decks. This will add extra ground support. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #8 Posted June 27, 2012 I just went to home depot and bought some vinyl coated cable, some eye hooks, and an adjuster to tighten/loosen the cable. I want to mount one end to the deck and the other end to the frame and use this to support the right side of the deck to prevent it from dropping lower than the left side. It's a similar concept as the spring kit offered by Toro but I don't think a spring is necessary. Also, all the parts cost me roughly $10 bucks rather than $45 from Toro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,578 #9 Posted July 6, 2012 i used a 42 " deck with the power flow bagger for the 1 st time last fall for leaves. i did notice the deck lifted lopsided but mowed level. so i was wondering did you change the deck lift bracket the regular bracket has 2 bars on it one from the rear lift trunion and the one that attaches to the tractor. the power flow bracket has 3, i guess to help level the deck. i didn't use the bracket last fall but when i set a deck up for permanent use i will use the 3 bar bracket eric Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #10 Posted July 6, 2012 Can you please clarify which bracket you are referring to? My powerflow bagger didn't come with any modifications to the deck lift support. Can you snap a picture of this additional bracket? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #11 Posted July 6, 2012 matt he right. I forgot all about the lift bracket on the deck. When I bought my blower it came with a different lift bracket that the instructions told you to change out. I will have to get the part number tonight. I can also try for a picture. If you look at your deck the carrier bracket that your t-bar from your tractor goes in. That's the bracket that needs changed. If I remember right you have to take your lift bracket assembly off the deck and replace it with the one that comes in the blower kit. I'll see what I can do to get some numbers for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #12 Posted July 6, 2012 I re-read the instructions for my bagger (model # 074XVC01) as well as looked at the parts diagrams on the Toro Master Parts Viewer website and I see no reference to this. I'm not saying it doesn't exist because obviously it does but but I'm still having trouble finding it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #13 Posted July 6, 2012 Matt the part is the Bar-Leveler Assembly Part # 92-0981 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,252 #14 Posted July 6, 2012 Look at the parts lists for the 2010 model 79301. The 42" deck components page shows a 3-bar leveler bar item # 17. Is that what is being dicussed? Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #15 Posted July 6, 2012 Garry That's it. It's used on the 48in also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattd860 162 #16 Posted July 6, 2012 Malmac - the diagrams in the parts catalog and Toro Master Parts Viewer only show the leveling bar for the 42" deck. For the 48" deck they show the counterbalance spring/chain. However, when the installation manual tells you to install the leveling bar, it does not indicate whether this is for the 42" or the 48" deck which implies the leveling bar is for both decks. I wonder why the leveling bar is not shown on the 48" deck parts diagram??? I've installed a makeshift counterbalance spring and chain similar to the diagrams that is all but solved the sloped cut problem. On smooth ground the deck will cut perfectly but when the ground/grass is rough causing the deck to bounce around it will still cut slightly deeper on the right. It is still barely noticeable and overall I'm happy with it. The 520H + 48" deck + Vacuum Bagger + hydrostatic foot controls has really turned out to be amazingly fun. I thought I would have never given up mowing with the walk behind and while I like the 'striped' cut the walk behind leaves better, I will sacrifice that for being able to sit down while mowing and bag all the clippings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #17 Posted July 6, 2012 Matt sent you a PM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda 82 #18 Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) Anyone willing to sell a bagger?!? Edited October 17, 2014 by ARae Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mtn.Brook Hillbilly 0 #19 Posted June 17, 2015 Look at the parts lists for the 2010 model 79301. The 42" deck components page shows a 3-bar leveler bar item # 17. Is that what is being dicussed? Garry Hey there Garry,I'm a newly registered WHF member with a specific interest in this thread's subject. I happened across it thanks to Google and was pretty excited to read that something that had vexed my father-in-law from the first mow job he did with {what is now MY WIFE's} 269H was this problem. He was so upset about it as a matter-of-fact that he resignedly gave to her because he could NOT get satisfaction from TORO &/or the dealer.Anyway I'm a little unsure this thread is still archived with you guys; can't find it referenced in the site sugg/update/issues topic library. If it is o.k. I'd like to pick-up the discussion again. You see this 269H is a 1996 Model 72102 in vintage, set-up with "attach-a-matic", the 78260 48" mower deck and 79203 Vac-Bagger. I'm feeling a little sheepish here 'cause I went and bought that 3-bar leveler [thought I understood where it went] and I believe I was a little hasty.I could use some consul on what additional parts I evidently still require 'cause this deck sure doesn't appear ready for a 92-0981 Bar Leveler installation. Best Regards,Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,252 #20 Posted June 17, 2015 We do not have a 1996 or 1997 operator manual for the vac but here is the 1998http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/4266-mower-vacuum-lawn-42in-48in-1998-2000-79203-om-3319-563revapdf/Parts listhttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/4264-mower-vacuum-lawn-42in-48in-1994-2000-79203-ipl-3316-722pdf/Latest operator manualhttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/4267-mower-vacuum-lawn-42in-48in-2001-2004-79203-om-3324-726pdf/This 3-page service bulletin is for the 79203 vachttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/4008-toro91-preslt-lt43-sloped-cut-with-vacuum-baggerpdf/Mower deck operator manualhttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/3125-mower-rotary-48in-sd-1994-1997-78260-om-3316-521pdf/Parts listhttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/3123-mower-rotary-48in-sd-1994-1997-78260-ipl-3316-734revbpdf/The 78260 deck was replaced by 78261http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/3126-mower-rotary-48in-sd-1998-78261-om-3319-561pdf/http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/3127-mower-rotary-48in-sd-1999-2003-78261-om-3322-353pdf/Latest parts listhttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/3130-mower-rotary-48in-sd-2001-2003-78261-ipl-3325-623pdf/I am not familiar with any of these. Sometimes the later manuals contain info we may have missed when a change was actually made.Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mtn.Brook Hillbilly 0 #21 Posted June 18, 2015 Thank-you Garry; I'll see what I can learn.Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #22 Posted June 18, 2015 The topic of conversation is dealing with the Vac Bagger for the 300,400,500 series tractors. Yours is of the 200 series. I am not sure but I do believe they use a different deck lift system. I am not familiar with them and how the deck mounts. Your on the right track with finding owners manuals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mtn.Brook Hillbilly 0 #23 Posted June 19, 2015 The topic of conversation is dealing with the Vac Bagger for the 300,400,500 series tractors. Yours is of the 200 series. I am not sure but I do believe they use a different deck lift system. I am not familiar with them and how the deck mounts. Your on the right track with finding owners manuals. OK, I believe I'm starting to see the "end-o-the-tunnel" light {hope it ain't the train}. Thanks for jumping back-in on this MalMac; you are right of course the 200 series tractor & 78260/61 mower deck employ starkly different lift systems. It interesting that the blower weight still plagued these upgraded designs. I working on a hunch that the tractor lift actuator is the same on all the above series and the associated mower decks are really only differentiated by the "Suspension Assy." components. From the depictions in the parts schematics all the relevant hanger points on the decks themselves appear unchanged.I guess if I could confirm that the Part # on my 269H is the same as someone's 3, 4 or 500 I'd be able move on to the parts chase. Geez the stuff I get myself into. Do the Workshop Manuals contain photos of mower deck-to-tractor config's?Regards, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #24 Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) The owner manuals contain some pics. The parts manuals will be your best bet for comparison. Now I will say this. If your deck is a 42" then you might be having trouble with a sprung deck. The 42's are very week on the open end because they do not emplement the reinforcing plate that the 48 uses. Being sprung will cause it to cut uneven and also will leave stripes sometime. Best way to check is turn the deck upside down and match up blade tips from discharge side and middle blade. They should be flush with each other. Edited June 19, 2015 by MalMac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mtn.Brook Hillbilly 0 #25 Posted June 20, 2015 The owner manuals contain some pics. The parts manuals will be your best bet for comparison. Now I will say this. If your deck is a 42" then you might be having trouble with a sprung deck. The 42's are very week on the open end because they do not emplement the reinforcing plate that the 48 uses. Being sprung will cause it to cut uneven and also will leave stripes sometime. Best way to check is turn the deck upside down and match up blade tips from discharge side and middle blade. They should be flush with each other. OH! I had picked-up on this "bent deck" issue along the way; had wondered how that might come to pass. Helped relieve some of my chronic "rock ingestion" guilt that my deck and blower have had to deal with thinking some one[or ones] where forcing their machines to work harsher terrain than my wife & I work. Guess maybe there's more to the story. No MalMac I've been fortunate enough to end-up with a 48"; just evidently an "old-school" design. I've looked thru several different years O/M's but don't recall ever seeing actual pic's. Yes, they DO HAVE Illustrations BUT . . . these never depict the associated TRACTOR connection points. Could you "shoot" me a reference to the one you're aware of that fills that bill? As I contemplate my dilemma, it seems I need to verify that my 269H has the required engineering to accept this later model deck suspension then perhaps investing in the additional parts that interact w/ the BAR LEVELER 92-0981 would prove worthwhile. Maybe later today I'll try following that part number hunch I spoke of for the tractor/deck actuator; it's a place to start.HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you that are & thanks for the support. Sincerely, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
