Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Nice site guys, I hope you can help me.

I have a 2003 Craftsman LT 2000 riding mower with a 42" deck  that I bought used last fall. Here's the problem, the mower is scalping my lawn. I've adjusted the tire pressure according to the owner's manual, put new blades on it yesterday, and the deck is level but it is still scalping the lawn! Any ideas???

Thanks in advance for any and all replies,

Mooman

I will assume the deck height is raised enough?

When you say scalping, what do you mean? Is it scalping over bumps, turns, high spots or all of the time no matter what?

Marshall,

Yes, the deck height is raised enough. The mower scalps all of the time, no matter what, but it seems to be more noticable in the turns. It looks as if the left side of the deck is cutting lower than the right side. Thanks again for any input,

Mooman

Make sure the blades are not installed upside down. Make sure you have the correct blades.

Assuming the mower is not bent and in correct shape, I can't think of any reason for the deck to be scalping constantly other than it being un-level side to side and/or front to back, the deck not raised high enough, the blades installed upside down, the wrong blades, improper tire inflation or the use of some type of spacer in between the blade and the mount causing the blade to be lower than it should be.

Do you have the deck lifted as high as it will go?

Hi,

What about your left and right deck wheels. Are they adjusted correctly and are the bolts tight??

                                                                                                         Fred 

Hi...

On a flat (concrete / tar ) surface... check the "deck" for level... but check the height from the ground to each BLADE TIP... not to the deck itself...

Is anything holding the deck loose ? missing ? Does the deck have anti-scalp wheels...?  If not... may need to add 'em...

Dave...

I think a clip/pin could be missing. 

Thanks fer all the input and I will take a closer look at everything you guys mentioned.

By the way Marshall, pretty much everything you suggested is correct, blades installed the right way, correct tire pressure, ect., ect., and thanks to all for taking the time to try and help me out, I really appreciate it !

Mooman

You are welcome Mooman !

Dave...

Agree with AJace...could be a clip missing that holds the deck to one (or more) of the hangers or the deck may not be properly installed.  Even if you're adjusting the height of the deck, it could be just riding on the ground.

Other than that, if everything is properly adjusted and nothing is bent or broken, I'm stumped.

LL

Yes, It's possible that the lift lever isn't attached properly to the hangers.  Is the lift lever extremely to move up, back to the operators seat or does it not have one?