Leveling The Deck (Front-To-Back) - Craftsman Z6000 SERIES Operator's Manual

Leveling the Deck (Front-to-Back)

NOTE: Check the tractor's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 22 for information regarding tire pressure.
Always level the deck side-to-side before front to rear.
The front of the deck should be between 1⁄4-3⁄8" lower than the rear of the deck.
Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. Park the tractor on a firm, level surface and place the deck lift handle in a
middle position.
2. Rotate the blade nearest the discharge chute so that it is parallel with the
tractor.
3. Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground and the
rear of the blade tip to the ground. The first measurement taken should be
between 1⁄4" and 3⁄8" less than the second measurement.
4. Determine the approximate distance necessary for proper adjustment and
proceed, if necessary.
5. Using a wrench, loosen the jam nut first, then raise or lower the front of deck
by turning hex nut on the front deck lift rod. See Figure 27.
6. The deck is properly leveled when the front tip of the blade is 1⁄4" lower
than the rear tip. Tighten the jam nut to the hex nut on the front deck lift rod
when proper adjustment is achieved.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Jam Nut
Hex Nut
Front Deck Lift Rod
Figure 27
Adjusting the Gauge Wheels
Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.
NOTE: The deck gauge wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not
designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.
The mower deck cutting height can be set in any of six height settings using the
riding mower's deck lift handle. The deck heights range from 1-1⁄2" to 4". The deck
gauge wheel position should be approximately 1⁄ 4 -1⁄2" above the ground when the
deck is set in the desired height setting.
NOTE: There are four (two front and two rear gauge wheels) on the 54" deck and
two front gauge wheels on the 42" deck.
Using the lift handle, set the deck in the desired height setting, then check the gauge
wheels distance from the ground below. If necessary adjust as follows:
1. Visually check the distance between the front gauge wheel and the ground.
If the gauge wheel is near or touching the ground, it should be raised. If more
than 1⁄2" above the ground, it should be lowered.
2. Remove the flange lock nut securing the front gauge wheel shoulder bolt to
the deck. Remove the gauge wheel and shoulder bolt. Refer to Figure 28.
Lock Nut
Gauge Wheel
Bracket
Index Holes
3. Insert the shoulder bolt into the one of four index holes in the gauge wheel
bracket that will give the gauge wheel a 1⁄ 4 -1⁄2" clearance with the ground
and secure with the flange lock nut.
4. Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust the other gauge
wheels into the respective index holes of the other gauge wheel bracket on the
deck.
25
WARNING
Lock Nut
Gauge
Wheel
Shoulder Screw
Figure 28
Gauge
Wheel