Deck Height Puzzle

[0rnery 7]

Using a 42" SD, 78345, on 314-8, 73402, and struggling with understanding the cutting height adjustment.  Mower and tractor have a couple thousand hours, so this may be a factor in the current operation.  I had to elongate the holes in the pivot brackets to adjust blade height from right to left, which were off by 1/4".  I see in the manual, the maximum height seems to be about 3-1/2", but 2-1/2" seems to be about as high as I can get.  If I set the "Height of Cut Lever" to the top hole, it's still close to that 2-1/2", and has a problem lowering from the full raised position.  Something binds up, and it hangs up at the highest level.  The Lift Lever can just flop around at that point.   Adjusting the height lever to its lowest point seems to allow me to free it up again.

 

Something is amiss.  The rear wheels on the deck are only worn down about 1/4".  I swapped from one side to the other hoping that would effect the difference in height from right to left, but no.  Also, I notice the lock nut on the Rear Adjustable link is at the extreme far end of its adjustment.  This would put the front at the highest point, I believe.

 

Right now, I have it set at the second hole from the highest, and Dial-A-Height control adjusted so blade is about 1/8" lower in the front.  This yields about a 2-1/2" cut, and anti scalp rollers are way above the turf.  Pulling the Lift Lever is only about 1/2" travel before it locks in the top transport position.  The rear deck wheels are rolling on the ground at this point.  Is that right?  Something seems wrong to me!

[Lee1977 6,648]

42" decks are bad to crack at the height adjustment bracket the rust completely through if not fixed. The 42" deck that was on a tractor I bought was like that nothing left to hold the bracket.

I treated the rust with ArugGuard.  Used 14 gauge on the in side and 16 gauge on the out side and bolted it back together extended both pieces out toward the shute and added two more bolts.

the new metal was painted boths sides with the ArugGuard,

It's hard to see the inside piece with the grass build up.

 

[0rnery 7]

A little neglect goes a long way toward the destruction of these things.  Mine was significantly rusted, but not as bad as yours.  Nice fix.  Is that a roll pin?

 

 

You obviously know these decks as well as anyone by now.  Can you confirm their 3-1/2" height limit is achieved by mowing with the deck in transport mode?

 

I'll keep messing with it, and see what I can figure out.  It'll probably be next weekend before I have time.  BTW, you may be interested in some wheels I just ordered from eBay for $35 shipped.  Best deal I could find.

 

 

[Lee1977 6,648]

Yes. it holds the height adjustment in place. That 3 1/2" should be the highest adjustment. That is my back-up deck I have 2  48" decks I use most of the time

[peter lena 8,587]

@Lee1977  nice patch on that , if you get in the habit of  regularly aerosol lubricating those swing axel mounting points ,and the adjustment rack area , like after every cutting , they work with very easy  function . make the rust run out , pete

[peter lena 8,587]

@ornery , get after the lubrication swing / movement areas , those swing axel mounts should swing with little resistance, aerosol lubrication , will make the rust run out , do that on every movement point on deck and hanger frame area . also lubricate the deck wheels . just a suggestion , pete

[Lee1977 6,648]

5 hours ago, peter lena said:

@ornery , get after the lubrication swing / movement areas , those swing axel mounts should swing with little resistance, aerosol lubrication , will make the rust run out , do that on every movement point on deck and hanger frame area . also lubricate the deck wheels . just a suggestion , pete

Lubrication might help, but it's just a bad design.The 48" don't have that problem as it's on the stronger closed end. Putting a 1/8" strip on the inside would have help with the cracking.