ZD221 Unable to obtain correct deck height despite adjustment, deck is too low.

[spoonycoot]

I bought a used zd221 with a 48” commercial deck. The deck height is way lower than the dial setting.

There are two issues. If I max out the adjustment bolts (screw them all the way in which raises the deck) it is still lower than what is set. For instance when set a 4” on the dial with the adjustment maxed it is maybe 3.25”.
If you follow what the manual says for leveling it puts it way lower.

The deck is also very clearly uneven side to side when the screws are set in, I would say maybe 1/4 to 3/8” off.
Nothing appears to be bent. Measurements at various points on the frame side to side are pretty close.

Part of me wants to get longer adjustment screws, the original is an M12 x1.25x45mm a 60mm would get me closer, just haven’t been able to find a full thread bolt at the same strength.

Any thoughts?

 

[PaulL]

Is the deck correctly attached? Perhaps it's been attached in a way that leaves it running lower. Or perhaps someone had a desire to mow very low, and modified it to permit that? Seems unusual though, so I'd be guessing something wrong in how it's attached. Perhaps get the WSM or owner's manual, and fully remove then reattach it following the steps in the manual, see if you get a different result?

 

[Flintknapper]

IF everything about the deck and its mounts look unaltered....you might check to see that the blades are not mounted upside down, that any 'spacers' (if the blades use them) are correct.

If a longer adjusting bolt would solve your problem....hardened and fully threaded bolts are available.

Hex Bolts 10.9 M12X1.25 Extra Fine DIN 960/961

Bel-Metric sells metric hardware & specialty automotive supplies nationwide. Visit our website to purchase metric fasteners, nuts, bolts, Time-Sert kits & more.

belmetric.com

 

[JasonW]

I recently bought a ZD331 and I had to replace the deck bolts to get the deck even left and right. Old bolts were concave on the ends. New bolts and about 10 minutes back and forth with a tape measure it’s all good.
Also it’s been my understanding that the number on the dial is just for reference not the actual height that the grass is cut.

 

[PaulL]

Also it’s been my understanding that the number on the dial is just for reference not the actual height that the grass is cut.

I think they say that so that people don't complain. But it's supposed to be vaguely close to inches I think.

 

[whitetiger]

I think they say that so that people don't complain. But it's supposed to be vaguely close to inches I think.

The numbers on the deck height knob do not suggest or imply the cut height in inches, they are for position reference only. Some manufacturers are marking the deck height reference with letters rather than numbers to eliminate confusion.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The numbers on the deck height knob do not suggest or imply the cut height in inches, they are for position reference only. Some manufacturers are marking the deck height reference with letters rather than numbers to eliminate confusion.

But mine goes to 11!

 

[Mowbizz]

The numbers on the deck height knob do not suggest or imply the cut height in inches, they are for position reference only. Some manufacturers are marking the deck height reference with letters rather than numbers to eliminate confusion.

When I leveled the deck on my Z422-54” I set the dial at 4 and leveled my deck and checked my blade height from the floor. I fine tuned it until I was as close to 4” as I could get.