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

I have a Craftsman LT1000 that started to mow very unevenly. I checked the side to side measurements as per the manual (was level) and went through all the other troubleshooting steps. There was no improvement. Then I decided to check the deck level at my usual mowing height. It was 1/2" lower on one side. The manual says to check the level at the deck's highest position. On my machine anyway, the deck is not suspended freely at that point and thus gives a false level measurement. I adjusted the deck at its mowing level and it works fine now.

Hey Jonathan - I have a 17.5/42 lt 2000 craftsman .I,ve had it this going on the second season . I,ve had several craftsman in this size range , and never really had any problems , other thanlack of maint. particularly were the deck was concerned . Last fall I decided to turn over a new leaf and do as the book said . It really took no time  , and I'm glad I did as the bottom of the deck needed a good coat of paint . Do this every year , believe me it's worth it . Will save the cost of a new deck about 5 yrs down the road . Also sharpened the blades . I ran in to the same problem you did , everything checked out when deck was fully raised but not at my normal cutting height  ( I use 4 ) . After thinking a few minutes on it I realized I don't much care how it cuts fully raised and Iadjusted the deck to be right at level 4 . NO PROBLEMS ! ! i ALSO STRONGLY ADVISE THE USE OF DECK WHEELS ESPECIALLY ON THE REAR . ELIMINATED ALL THE GOUGING , AND SAVES ON NEW BLADES . Happy mowing , Roscoe

My neighbour complained to me about his riding mower cutting unevenly.  He asked me if I knew how to level the mowing deck.  I told him to add about eight pound of air to his rear right tire.