Craftsman 247.20400 series Operator's Manual page 20

Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system, parking brake and lift linkage at
least once a season with light oil.
Adjustments
Deck
NOTE: Check the riding mower's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires above for information regarding tire pressure.
Shut the engine off, remove the ignition key and engage the parking
brake before making adjustments. Protect your hands by using heavy
gloves when handling the blades.
Leveling the Deck (Side-to-Side)
NOTE: Check the riding mower's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires for information regarding tire pressure. Always level the
deck side to side before front to rear.
If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side adjustment can be
performed. Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. With the riding mower parked on a firm, level surface, place the deck lift handle
in a middle mowing position and rotate both outside blades so that they are
perpendicular with the riding mower.
2. Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground
and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground. Both
measurements taken should be equal. If they're not, proceed to the next
step.
3. Loosen, but do NOT remove, the hex bolt on the rear left deck hanger link.
See Figure 20.
Adjustment
Gear
NOTE: The rear right deck hanger link is not adjustable and is used to help
adjust the other hanger links.
4. Using a wrench, raise or lower the left side of the deck by turning the
adjustment gear. See Figure 20.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
WARNING
Hex Bolt
Figure 20
5. The deck is properly leveled when both blade tip measurements are equal.
Retighten the hex bolt on the front left deck hanger bracket when proper
adjustment is achieved.
Leveling the Deck (Front-to-Rear)
NOTE: Check the riding mower's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires on page 24 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" and 3⁄8" lower than the rear of the
deck. Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. Park the riding mower 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
riding mower.
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. To raise the front of the deck, remove the end cap, loosen the outer nut
then tighten (thread inward) the nut against the front hanger bracket. See
Figure 21. When proper adjustment is achieved, re-tighten the outer nut and
replace the end cap.
6. To the front of the deck, remove the end cap, loosen the outer nut
lower
then loosen (thread outward) the nut, away from the front hanger bracket.
See Figure 21. When proper adjustment is achieved, re-tighten the outer nut
and replace the end cap.
20
Figure 21