Can't get 48" MMM Level

[js312]

I've got a BX1880 with the 48" MMM. I figured I'd level it going into this season and I just can't get it right. Here's what I did:

1. Ensured equal tire pressure before starting (14 F/ 17 R).
2. Set front link nut/thread distance to 47mm (measured with a digital caliper).
3. Checked fender to ground and floor pan to ground on both sides and found them to be equal so the tractor itself is level.
4. Installed deck and started checking on a flat concrete surface. Measuring based on tips of blades with a John Deere tool.

I have the following issues:

• I found the front was quite a bit higher than the back. Since the 47mm measurement is theoretically spec, I tightened the side to side adjusters to lift the back to compensate. Found it was still high. Then, loosened up the front links nearly to the max and I'm still about 1/4" higher in the front. This is where both links are set currently:
  
  
• Chute side of deck (Right) is also high. I can compensate for this with the bolt adjusters on the sides, but I feel like I'm needing to use a lot of adjustment to do it. Left side of deck is adjusted like this:
  
  
  
  Right side looks like this:
  
  

Basically, the back of the deck and left of the deck seem too low and I'm running out of adjustment to compensate for it. I can correct the right/left, but I think even if I maxed out the adjustment on the front link I wouldn't get the front even or lower than the back.

It feels like I have to be missing something! Any ideas? It's a pretty new machine, and like I said the machine itself is level/not twisted. The deck looks perfect, the lift arms don't appear to have a bend or anything either.

 

[js312]

Could this be related to the rear link? I am having a hard time finding the stopper shown in the manual to check adjustment. If I raise the three point, set the dual to TOP, then lower it, it does drop a decent amount. That makes me think there is room for the settings to be higher than they are.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

On my tractor the rear linkages can be put into two positions, depending on cutting deck. I cannot see how the linkages run on your pictures.

Also the front linkage on mine was for a different deck / tractor, so there was no way then adjusting it properly.

Is that a new tractor with a new deck? Are the linkages and the deck the correct ones?

 

[js312]

On my tractor the rear linkages can be put into two positions, depending on cutting deck. I cannot see how the linkages run on your pictures.

Also the front linkage on mine was for a different deck / tractor, so there was no way then adjusting it properly.

Is that a new tractor with a new deck? Are the linkages and the deck the correct ones?

Thanks for the reply!

I can get better photos of the rear linkage when I get home. I haven't messed with the linkage itself yet, only reattached to the deck for the spring.

It's about a year old. I never leveled it front to back when I got it, but when I put it back on for this season I wanted to try to get it right.

When I bought the tractor, they had to order the 48" deck because all they had were the larger ones. So, I'd assume it came with the right front linkage and they didn't end up mixing up like they could if it was from stock. Any idea how to tell? I don't recall any part numbers stamped into it.

If the rear linkage tractor is setup differently based on deck size, I could see them having it ready to go for the larger deck, then not thinking to change it when they put a 48 on, so that's interesting.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Did you not get an operator manual for the deck? The one for mine describes in detail how to adjust it, they also have the height measured on the outside, so no need to have access to the blades. On my deck the outside frame is not parallel to the blades.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Here is the part for the two linkage positions depending on deck type for example. Not sure if that applies to your tractor / deck though.

"If anything else fails, read the manual"

 

[js312]

Did you not get an operator manual for the deck? The one for mine describes in detail how to adjust it, they also have the height measured on the outside, so no need to have access to the blades. On my deck the outside frame is not parallel to the blades.

Oh, I have it. That's where I got the 47mm spec for the front linkage from. It does talk about the front to back level and using the front linkage to adjust it. Problem is, there's no way I can get it in spec - I'll run out of threads. I do see one potential issue. I was using the center blade to check front/back level. It says to use the right one. I expect this is just because the center blade is a bear to reach.

Looking again, I don't think I have different linkage positions like you do - at least I see nothing about it in the manual, and I don't recall seeing holes like that on the arms.

The other piece that confuses me is the rear linkage. It shows a diagram for the stopper, but I don't see anything that looks like it on the tractor. I have to be missing something obvious, but I must have stared at it for 15 minutes trying to see what it was talking about. The deck goes all the way up and hits the frame when raising the 3-point. The "TOP" position then lets it drop maybe an inch lower.