I think you will have the most perfect level deck out of all of us lawn care people lol. I have never leveled a deck before. Now you got me on the bandwagon. Great video Doug!
I understand getting it level and the pitch right. It doesn't have to be perfect but I appreciate your OCD LOL. Scag really makes leveling a mower deck on these standers pretty easy
Wow great video (lesson) I guess I need to check my mower’s .Almost afraid to 🤣🤣 great idea with the socket, learning so much , thank you for the video sir 👍😎🇺🇸
I use 6 blocks of 2X4 ... 2@3" .. 2@3 1/8" .. 2@ 3 1/4" With them in position at the 4 corners, I can see from the opposite side just where I'm making progress. Then I rotate the blades 90 deg. and make sure they are good side to side. Keep banging that fresh paint with your wrench ... it will soon chip & rust.
I only have to mention that if you have an older mower, you'll need to verify a couple of things... good spindles and blades are not bent by either (A) taking them off and inspecting (best), or (B) leave socket in one location, rotate blades a 1/2 then verify the same measured heighth as before. However, if you're doing the maintenance anyway, choose (A) and sharpen blades. Quick check of spindle is to grab blade with gloved hand and check for rattling. Just in case the blades hit a hard object in the past from a child that didn't report it to his dad.
When your adjusting in that tight of tolerances I would consider the floor to be not perfectly flat over a span of 52 or 61” and rely more on chain tension in the final fine tuning.
Hi, great job.... One suggestion. When adjusting pitch front to back... If this is a 3 blade mower and the center blade is forward of the other two,.. Center blade sets your forward adjustment. If a 3 blade mower and you nust use the rear blades.... Your total rake is much greater than your adjustment.... Does that make sense?
3:00 First and foremost check your tire pressures. That will be the major affect of your rake (front to back height difference). I've heard back tires to be set at 12 psi. Front tires set at sidewall max.
I appreciate the level of detail in leveling the deck front to back with the back 3/16 higher in the back, but what about side to side? Do you also confirm from side to side that the left and right side are correct?
@@EdenLawnServices sorry for my bad question........I was asking if you check the blades from front to back and also side to side after rotating them? Checking North South and then East West?
good idea to use something indicating what height is. I would of thought being new they would have had it adjusted correctly every spring I check from ware and tare and make sure I am at the correct height. This year I was down around a little less than a quarter inch.
i thought the two outside blades had to be side to side to get them levell so you don't get any stair stepping on the lawn and then middle front blade forward and two side blades back to get the pitch of not more than 1/2 inch from the front part of the middle blade to the back part of the two side blades
I'm gonna use this method with the socket. But you said you were using a socket that's 3-1/4 long and you wanted 3 1/2 for the pitch in back. I didn't see another socket you used. Did you just pretty much eyeball it
If you ever watch the Exmark version of this video, you'll discover that step one is air pressure FOLLOWED by measuring rear tire circumference. That's right. Mower tires are shitty. If the circumference is different, you're wasting your time with deck leveling.
With tire pressure correct, level floor, could you use 4, 2x4 blocks ( 2 being 1/8" shorter for back) & a 2ft level on the flat parts of the deck as note by another commit below ? Any reason why that wouldn't work ?
I do not like this method. Variations in the fabrication of the deck may not have the blades at correct height. I measure off the blades, that way I know it is correct!!
I got a scag 48 inch freedom Z and all 3 sides chains are tight but the back chain is loose I've messed with everything and still loose I really don't wanna mess with the cut
I never even noticed it was loose. Now it's just rattling like crazy. So I know it's not correct. Guess I'll try and play with it before I go mow today lol.
The hard way is with a measuring tape. Trying to fit it under the deck and making sure you can read it can be a challenge, especially on the trim side of the deck.
Eden Lawn Services Just ordered an Oregon deck leveling tool (may be a bit easier to get measurements under a garden tractor mower) but will use your video for all the rest. Take care, thanks!
When you add weight of driver it will level it out some and you do not want the blade of grass to get cut multiple times with having back of deck lower than front. Cut the grass with front of deck and get clippings out of the way.
@@EdenLawnServices Ok, I get it. I bought a Scag Liberty Z 48" in August of 2019, and to date have only about 52 hours on it. They say Scag is known for its quality of cut. I would certainly agree with that claim. I have St. Augustine turf, and cut it at 4". It looks like tightly laid carpet with no obvious sign of the deck not being level. With that said, if I were to check the deck for level, and assuming the blades are perfectly parallel to the deck, could I simply use a bubble level?
Aah nice idea with the socket, tape measure was gonna drive me crazy. Now I need a video with an older(2013 ish) Tiger cat deck that has a bit of different adjustments it appears. I bet a guy might want to use newer blades, mine are kinda wore from the previous owner, what ya think?
Thank you for such an informative video, always helpful to see how others are leveling their decks. such an important adjustment to be checked often.
Excellent! I really appreciate your enthusiasm for perfection. Very enjoyable and informative. I wish my Ferris had those adjusting bolts.
The “worm’s eye” view got me to hit like on the video
I think you will have the most perfect level deck out of all of us lawn care people lol. I have never leveled a deck before. Now you got me on the bandwagon. Great video Doug!
BUSCH GREEN I like to have my stuff right. Makes life simpler, when I want to cut at 3” I know it’s set correctly !!!!
Very informational video! I didnt even think about using a deep socket as a gauge. Great video Doug!
That's Right Lawn Care make it go quick.
I understand getting it level and the pitch right. It doesn't have to be perfect but I appreciate your OCD LOL. Scag really makes leveling a mower deck on these standers pretty easy
That's definitely important to check and adjust the level of a deck when you first get the mower! Great video and congrats on the new mower😎👍
J's Crazy Cutz, LLC Thank you!!!
Great video. Like that socket idea. Love that Toro hat too! 😂
I still wear that hat. 😂
Thank you, helped me out a ton
I used this exact method however I used two 3’ deep sockets for each blade and leveled up the blades that way. Thank you!
👍
YOU'D THINK THE DEALER WOULD HAVE SET IT UP BETTER THAN THAT.
SEEMS LIKE NO ONE CARES ANYMORE
Very useful tip with the socket! Scag and the dealers need to do this. None of them are right. My 36 was almost an inch too low.
Pat Eric if I remember correctly, my 36” was about 3/4” off. It’s no biggie though. 30 minutes and a gauge and set it the way you like it.
Great stuff!
Glad you think so!
That's a nice machine man!!!
Upscale Lawn Care Monroe Thank you!! It should speed up production.
Wow great video (lesson) I guess I need to check my mower’s .Almost afraid to 🤣🤣 great idea with the socket, learning so much , thank you for the video sir 👍😎🇺🇸
Allen, it’s is better than fiddling around with a tape measure. Much faster!!!
Great technique! Do I understand that you ALWAYS measure the blades front to back? I have a 3 point Rapter Limited would that technique work for that?
I use 6 blocks of 2X4 ... 2@3" .. 2@3 1/8" .. 2@ 3 1/4" With them in position at the 4 corners, I can see from the opposite side just where I'm making progress. Then I rotate the blades 90 deg. and make sure they are good side to side. Keep banging that fresh paint with your wrench ... it will soon chip & rust.
I only have to mention that if you have an older mower, you'll need to verify a couple of things... good spindles and blades are not bent by either (A) taking them off and inspecting (best), or (B) leave socket in one location, rotate blades a 1/2 then verify the same measured heighth as before. However, if you're doing the maintenance anyway, choose (A) and sharpen blades. Quick check of spindle is to grab blade with gloved hand and check for rattling. Just in case the blades hit a hard object in the past from a child that didn't report it to his dad.
Sound good!!!
When your adjusting in that tight of tolerances I would consider the floor to be not perfectly flat over a span of 52 or 61” and rely more on chain tension in the final fine tuning.
Yes the chains need to carry the load evenly. It takes some fine tuning to get it all right.
Hi, great job.... One suggestion. When adjusting pitch front to back... If this is a 3 blade mower and the center blade is forward of the other two,.. Center blade sets your forward adjustment. If a 3 blade mower and you nust use the rear blades.... Your total rake is much greater than your adjustment.... Does that make sense?
I split the difference between front and side blade. Kinda go for happy medium.
3:00 First and foremost check your tire pressures. That will be the major affect of your rake (front to back height difference). I've heard back tires to be set at 12 psi. Front tires set at sidewall max.
Thank you, I stated all tire pressure’s where set previous to adjusting deck.
I appreciate the level of detail in leveling the deck front to back with the back 3/16 higher in the back, but what about side to side? Do you also confirm from side to side that the left and right side are correct?
Side to side are set exactly the same height in front and in back
@@EdenLawnServices sorry for my bad question........I was asking if you check the blades from front to back and also side to side after rotating them? Checking North South and then East West?
Good job , being new you would think scab would get it correct for you
Deputy Crews no matter the name brand, I have never had a mower set up correctly from the dealer.
good idea to use something indicating what height is. I would of thought being new they would have had it adjusted correctly every spring I check from ware and tare and make sure I am at the correct height. This year I was down around a little less than a quarter inch.
I have never had a new mower set correctly from any manufacturer. I always check them and adjust!!!
i thought the two outside blades had to be side to side to get them levell so you don't get any stair stepping on the lawn and then middle front blade forward and two side blades back to get the pitch of not more than 1/2 inch from the front part of the middle blade to the back part of the two side blades
I turned the side blade to measure side and the front. 1/2 inch pitch is to much for me. I run 1/4 inch.
Owners manual says to put the outside blades front to back.
I'm gonna use this method with the socket. But you said you were using a socket that's 3-1/4 long and you wanted 3 1/2 for the pitch in back. I didn't see another socket you used. Did you just pretty much eyeball it
Exactly!!!
I have a 48 but I can’t seem to get it to stripe well and they do not sell a striper for the 48
It should stripe. Best deck in the industry. I would check to see if deck is adjusted correctly. Beyond that, I am at a loss.
Thanks for answering my question I do appreciate it ,I did exactly what the manual states,I’m going to have to take it to the dealer I’m assuming.
If you ever watch the Exmark version of this video, you'll discover that step one is air pressure FOLLOWED by measuring rear tire circumference. That's right. Mower tires are shitty. If the circumference is different, you're wasting your time with deck leveling.
With tire pressure correct, level floor, could you use 4, 2x4 blocks ( 2 being 1/8" shorter for back) & a 2ft level on the flat parts of the deck as note by another commit below ? Any reason why that wouldn't work ?
I do not like this method. Variations in the fabrication of the deck may not have the blades at correct height. I measure off the blades, that way I know it is correct!!
Surprised it was that far off from the factory. One other thing to check is tire circumference, not just pressure.
Thank you!!!
I got a scag 48 inch freedom Z and all 3 sides chains are tight but the back chain is loose I've messed with everything and still loose I really don't wanna mess with the cut
There is a bit of art to get them set right.
I never even noticed it was loose. Now it's just rattling like crazy. So I know it's not correct. Guess I'll try and play with it before I go mow today lol.
@@brandonsmith8548 just make sure front of blades is at proper height. The back of blades need to be a touch higher than front.
I'm just gonna do exactly as you did. 3-1/4 then 3_1/2 in back
Wow my mower set at 3-1/4 height setting the socket isn't even close to going under it lol. Geez. So my deck must be setting really really low
Great work! Just wonder: if this is the easy way, how is the hard way?
The hard way is with a measuring tape. Trying to fit it under the deck and making sure you can read it can be a challenge, especially on the trim side of the deck.
Eden Lawn Services Just ordered an Oregon deck leveling tool (may be a bit easier to get measurements under a garden tractor mower) but will use your video for all the rest. Take care, thanks!
Tell me again the purpose for having the rear of the deck higher than the front.
When you add weight of driver it will level it out some and you do not want the blade of grass to get cut multiple times with having back of deck lower than front. Cut the grass with front of deck and get clippings out of the way.
@@EdenLawnServices Ok, I get it. I bought a Scag Liberty Z 48" in August of 2019, and to date have only about 52 hours on it. They say Scag is known for its quality of cut. I would certainly agree with that claim. I have St. Augustine turf, and cut it at 4". It looks like tightly laid carpet with no obvious sign of the deck not being level.
With that said, if I were to check the deck for level, and assuming the blades are perfectly parallel to the deck, could I simply use a bubble level?
@@fabfabber look back in my vids. I have a vid that show the easy way to level and check deck.
Aah nice idea with the socket, tape measure was gonna drive me crazy.
Now I need a video with an older(2013 ish) Tiger cat deck that has a bit of different adjustments it appears.
I bet a guy might want to use newer blades, mine are kinda wore from the previous owner, what ya think?
Sounds like a plan. A socket/gauge is so much better than a tape measure. Make the process painless.
@@EdenLawnServices thanks for the video
Show the person that doing deck leveling at the dealership this video
Right!!! They need to learn for sure!!!!