Can not get mower deck to level front to back

[knockonwood]

I have a BX1880 with 60 belly mower. I believe I understand the mechanics of the adjustments for leveling the deck, but it seems like in order to get the front of my deck ¼" lower than the rear (which I understand to be ideal) I will run out of adjustment before I get there.
I'm about ½" higher in the front and the front nuts are barely on the threads now. I've tried raising the rear of course, but again I run out of adjustment before I can get the rear higher.
I'm on a flat concrete surface. I have my deck set at "3" on the dial and lowered down to cutting height.
What am I missing here?

 

[mikester]

What am I missing here?

Patience?

I don't have your machine or any photos or schematics so I can't offer specific advice. Sometimes it's better to walk away for a day to sleep on it and look at it later with fresh eyes. Do you have a mechanically inclined neighbor willing to give you a second opinion?

Look for something binding in the mechanism. The deck should move up and down smoothly without binding. Some decks have multiple holes for mounting adjustments.

 

[skeets]

Try watching this,,,, YOUTUBE can be your friend

 

[Bri-Guy-GA]

If you don't have it I recommend that gauge shown in the video. I got mine from Messicks. How did you get a 60" deck on an 1880? I thought 54" was the biggest. Love to see pictures of the rear wheel clearance.

 

[knockonwood]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I was doing it properly. That's what has me stumped. I can level the deck side to side, but when I try to level it front to back I can't lift the rear high enough or the lower the front enough to get them level.

Bri-guy-ga, I'll double check my deck width and post if it's actually a 60". It should be the one that came with it, so probably a 54".

Thanks Skeets, I've watched that video! Even though I don't have that tool I was able to get a pretty good level with measuring tape on the lip of the deck.

I'll take Mikester's advice and look for something binding. I wondered if something was bent.

 

[Bri-Guy-GA]

Tractor supply sells the tool.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ohn-deere:-am130907-ty15272-mtd:-490-900-0041

 

[Rizzkid12]

You mentioned you measured the lip of the deck. The blades need to be measured not the deck itself

 

[Henro]

You mentioned you measured the lip of the deck. The blades need to be measured not the deck itself

Is this true? I mean, it has been a while since I adjusted the height of my deck, BUT logic dictates to me that there should be a direct relationship between the height of the blades, and the height of the deck lip. EXCEPT that there may be no deck lip to reference at the exit chute side.

Granted, if you are shooting to have the cutting height match the height dial, then measureing the blade height is the only option, unless you know the difference between blade height and lip height.

BUT the OP asked about deck level, not blade height.

So I PROBABLY did measure the height of the blades when I did my set up. Don't remember actually.

But I would guess that if one used the "four corners" of the deck he would likely get satisfactory results. At least as far as adjusting deck level goes.

Is this conclusion wildly off base?

 

[Russell King]

The deck may not be true to the blades. So you may be able to level the deck and the blades not be level. Since the blades do the work once they are level then all is well. Does not matter if the deck is level or not.

And it all really depends on how good of a cut you want And if the deck is floating or rolling style.

 

[Rizzkid12]

I know for sure from experience that you can't use the deck as a reference to level it. Just put it in the highest position and use a ruler or tape measure to measure the cutting part of the blades on the very ends. I use the tool mentioned or a short metal millimeter ruler. Keep front blade tips slightly lower than rear for a proper cut

 

[js312]

I am running into exactly the same thing and didn't see your thread before posting my own. I am measuring at the center blade and am still 1/4 inch high in the front and am just about out of adjustment on the front arm.

Mine is the 48". I am wondering if adjusting the rear link would help. It isn't clear to me exactly what this does.