Ariens Max Zoom 48 CARB Owner's/Operator's Manual page 30

Leveling the Mower Deck
These adjustments should be made on a
level surface with the tires inflated to the
correct air pressure.
Check Blade Level and Pitch
1. Raise mower deck to a 3" (7.62 cm)
cutting height.
2. Shut off engine. Engage parking brake.
Remove the ignition key.
NOTE: Place blocks under the bottom edge
of the deck, not under the reinforcement bar
welded along deck face.
3. Place blocks at each corner of the deck
to support the weight of the deck.
4. Turn the blades so the blade ends point
left to right across the width of the deck.
5. Measure the distance between the
ground and cutting edge of the blade on
the left blade (Left position in Figure 25)
and on the right blade (Right position in
Figure 25). Distances should be within
3/16" (4.7 mm). If they are not, raise the
low side of the deck using the height
adjusters on the deck lift brackets (see
Figure 26).
6. After deck is level side to side, check the
deck front to back pitch.
7. Turn the blades so the blade ends point
front to back as shown in Figure 25.
8. Measure the distance between the
ground and the cutting edge of the
middle blade at the front of the deck
(Front position in Figure 25) and
between the ground the cutting edge of
the left and right blades at the rear of the
deck (Rear position in Figure 25).
9. The cutting edge at the front of the deck
(Front position in Figure 25) should be
1/8" (3.18 mm) lower than the cutting
edges at the rear of the deck (Rear
position in Figure 25).
10. If measurements are out of range, raise
the low side of the deck using the height
adjusters on the deck lift brackets (see
Figure 26). Be sure to raise the deck
evenly to keep the deck level side to
side.
NOTE: Pitching the front of the blades lower
than the rear provides a balance between cut
quality and the power needed to cut grass.
Certain cutting conditions require the deck to
be pitched with the rear of the blades lower
than the front. Heeling the deck this way
requires more engine power but can provide
better cut quality.
11. Remove the blocks from under the deck.
Blade Side-to-Side Level
Left
Blade Front-to-Back Pitch
Rear
Adjust Blade Height
Level and pitch the mower with the height
adjusters on each deck lift bracket
(Figure 26).
1. Loosen the jam nut on the deck lift
bracket bolt about 1/4 turn to reduce
clamp load on the height adjusters.
2. Loosen the jam nut on the deck adjuster
bolt and then turn the bolt clockwise to
raise the deck or counterclockwise to
lower the deck. Tighten both jam nuts.
EN - 30
Front
Figure 25
Height Adjusters
DO NOT place blocks under
reinforcement bar.
Figure 26
Right
Rear