Troy-Bilt RZT 50 - Manual (Page 30)

30
LEVELING THE MOWER DECK
When correctly adjusted the mower deck should be
level side to side, and the front of the deck should be
approximately 1/4 inch lower than the rear of deck.
Side to Side Leveling
If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a
side to side adjustment can be performed. Adjust if
necessary as follows:
• With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface,
place the deck lift handle in the top notch (highest
position) and rotate both outer blades so that they
are perpendicular to the tractor frame.
• Lower the deck to the middle height position.
• Measure the distance from the outside left blade
tip to the ground and the distance from the
outside right blade tip to the ground. The
measurements should be equal. If they’re not,
proceed to the next step.
• Comparing the two measurements, determine
whether the left side of the deck must be raised
or lowered.
• Loosen, but do not remove, the hex cap screw on
the left deck hanger bracket. Refer to Figure 32.
• Level the deck by using a wrench to turn the
adjustment gear (found immediately behind the
hex cap screw just loosened) clockwise to raise
the left side of the deck, or counterclockwise to
lower the left side of the deck. See Figure 32.
Figure 32
• The deck is properly leveled when both blade tip
measurements taken earlier are equal.
• Retighten the hex cap screw on the left deck
hanger bracket when proper adjustment is
achieved.
Front to Back Leveling.
The front of the deck should be approximately 1/4
inch lower than the rear of the deck. Adjust if neces-
sary as follows:
• With the deck raised off of the ground, rotate the
outer blades so that they are parallel to the frame
of the tractor.
• If the side to side leveling was done correctly,
measuring just the right blade should be
acceptable to attain the correct back to front pitch
of the deck.
• Measure the distance from the front tip of the
blade to the ground and the distance from the
rear tip to the ground. The front distance should
be approximately 1/4 inch less than the rear. If it
is not, proceed to the next step.
• From the front of the tractor, loosen the outer
nuts on the deck front hanger rod, and turn them
away from the inner nuts. See Figure 33.
Figure 33
• If the front of the deck was too low, turn the inner
hex nuts clockwise against the hanger bracket to
shorten the front hanger rod and raise the front of
the deck. See Figure 33.
• If the front of the deck was too high, turn the hex
nuts counterclockwise to lengthen the front
hanger rod and lower the front of the deck.
IMPORTANT: The deck front hanger rod should
be at the front of the slots of the front deck
bracket. If one side of the rod is not at the front of
its slot, turn the inner hex nut on that side until
rod just touches the front of the slot. Then re-
measure and re-adjust the front hanger rod as
necessary.
• When the correct pitch of the deck is acquired,
secure the inner hex nuts with a wrench and
tighten the outer hex nuts against the inner hex
nuts to lock them in the adjusted position.
Adjustment
Gear
Hex Cap
Screw
Raise LT.
Side of Deck Lower LT.
Side of Deck
Front Hanger
Rod Bracket
Outer
Front
Hanger Rod
Hex Nut
Inner
Hex Nut