Steering Adjustment; Sideto Side - MTD Series 600 Operator's Manual

FrontToRear
The front of the cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that
can be adjusted to level the deck from front to rear. The front of
the deck should be between 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch lower than
the rear of the deck. Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the
deck lift lever in the top notch (highest position) and rotate
the blade nearest the discharge chute so that it is parallel
with the tractor.
2. 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. Determine the
approximate distance necessary for proper adjustment and
proceed, if necessary, to the next step.
3. Locate the jam nut and lock nut on the front side of the
stabilizer bracket. See Fig. 6-4. After loosening the jam nut:
Tighten the lock nut to raise the front of the deck;
Loosen the lock nut to lower the front of the deck.
Figure 6=5
4. Balance the deck by using a wrench to turn the adjustment
gear (found immediately behind the hex cap screw just
loosened) clockwise/up or counterclockwise/down.
The deck is properly balanced when both blade tip
measurements taken earlier are equal.
5. Retighten the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger
bracket when proper adjustment is achieved.
Steering Adjustment
If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other, or if
the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear, the
steering drag links may need to be adjusted.
Adjust the drag links so that equal lengths are threaded into the
ball joint on the left and right side:
1. Remove hex nut on the top of ball joint. See Fig. 6-6.
Figure 6-4
4. Retighten the jam nut loosened earlier when proper
adjustment is achieved.
Sideto Side
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 tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the
deck lift lever in the top notch (highest position) and rotate
both blades so that they are perpendicular with the tractor.
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 cap screw on the left
deck hanger bracket. See Fig. 6-5.
2_
Figure 6=6
Thread the ball joint inward to shorten the drag link.
Thread the ball joint outward to lengthen the drag link.
SECTION 6 -- MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS
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