Lawn Scalping

[Michigankubota]

I seem to be scalping my lawn while turning on slightly uneven ground.
My dial is at 2. I had the anti scalp wheels up around a 1/2 inch or so from the ground.
They did seem a bit high. I went down 1 notch and see how it does next cut. It cuts great on flat ground. The fine adjustment bolts are within 1/16 inch of each other. Am I cutting to fast and turning with the wheels to high?

 

[MOOTS]

On my mowers at work, I run the scalp wheels just off of the shop floor. Maybe a 1/4” or so. Our mow height is 1.5”-1.75” on ball fields.

What type of grass do you have and what’s the mow height?

 

[Michigankubota]

On my mowers at work, I run the scalp wheels just off of the shop floor. Maybe a 1/4” or so. Our mow height is 1.5”-1.75” on ball fields.

What type of grass do you have and what’s the mow height?

The mow height is set at 2 on the dial. We have more weeds than actual grass here. My wheels were up at 1/2inch.

 

[Captain13]

I run my scalp wheels a little high but the level stays the same when turning. Have you checked the air pressure in the tires? If it's low, you can get a scalp when turning, especially if the wheels are set high.

 

[Utopia Texas]

As stated above check air pressure in the tires so the mower sits level, adjust the deck wheels down enough to stop the scalping on turns and adjust the deck height a bit higher. I live on the Texas Gulf coasts and with all our rain this year lawn grass grows really fast. Down here no one would ever mow as close as you have your setting height. We go 3”-3-1/2” usually.

 

[Captain13]

Utopia Texas is right....raise the cutting height. Here in Georgia, the recommended height is 3. I just moved mine to 3 this year and can tell a difference. The grass is more drought resistant for the periods when we get no rain. The grass grows thicker and starts choking out the weeks. This is the first time I've ever set mine that high and I can see a difference in the grass, especially with the unusually hot weather we've been having here.

 

[SidecarFlip]

My grass is lucky if it gets mowed at all. Just ran the chopper over the backyard to cut it down.

 

[RCW]

I’m from upstate New York, so guessing similar to you in Michigan.

I mow at 2.75-3.25.

If I got to 2, the way my lawn is sloped I’d scalp, even with correct tire inflation.

For what it’s worth...


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[LobsterClaw207]

Not to be off topic but sort of on topic, has anyone had a stuck anti scalping wheel? I have the 54" mower deck and one of them will absolutely not move. I've soaked in PB Blaster, tried heat, banging harder than I feel comfortable doing.... The thing will just not move.

 

[Michigankubota]

My tire pressure is good. I see one of the front brackets has a gap or space on where it attaches. My measurements are 1.85 at the nut/threads as the book calls for. Is this normal?

 

[Michigankubota]

I’m from upstate New York, so guessing similar to you in Michigan.

I mow at 2.75-3.25.

If I got to 2, the way my lawn is sloped I’d scalp, even with correct tire inflation.

For what it’s worth...


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This could be my issue. My lawn goes every which way but level in most areas. And those are the areas I have scalping or uneven cutting.

 

[RCW]

Should be even both sides.
I would check manual. The bracket can be adjusted with the nuts/lock nuts at the front of it.

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[Missouribound]

Scalping on uneven ground worsens with a wider mower deck. It's very easy to have a high spot in the middle of the mower path. Either make smaller passes in those areas that are troubling you or use a smaller mower there if you have one.
I use a lawn tractor for some of my rough, uneven Ozark property.
It's not the deck, it's your land that is giving you grief.

 

[RCW]

Scalping on uneven ground worsens with a wider mower deck.


It's not the deck, it's your land that is giving you grief.

I think you've got it, coupled with a 2" height.

I don't scalp at all on my uneven ground, but I'm doing 3" or so, and have been using a 54" mower for almost 20 years, so I know the intricacies of the terrain.

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[Michigankubota]

I will try a higher deck height next cut. Thanks guys!

 

[Michigankubota]

I checked out my deck today before I cut. It was low about 1/2 or less on the right side. I was following my owners manual by keeping the fine adjuster bolts the same. I adjusted the right side and it now cuts great while turning on on even ground.