Craftsman Mower Deck Help

[Craftsman GT]

Got a 1990 Craftsman GT6000 917.254450 with an 18hp B&S opposed twin vertical shaft. My question is about the 44 inch mower deck, I've adjusted it exactly like it says in the owners manual but even with the lift lever locked in the raised position it cuts about 3/4 inch lower then what I would like. I don't like how low the deck hangs in the front. The mower deck scalps the grass really bad and I can't get it into my shed because the front hangs up on the lip of the shed floor. With the lift lever locked in the raised position the back is 3' off the ground but the front is an inch. I don't see any adjustment for raising the front of the deck, just the back and side to side. I can't mow in any other position except with the lift lever locked in the raised because then the front of the deck drags on the ground. I also have the depth knob maxed out in the raised position which is no help. Does anybody know how I can raise up the front of the deck or is just nature of the beast?


Deck adjustment ---> http://www.manualslib.com/manual/493840/Craftsman-917-254450.html?page=22#manual

[bobodu]

Looks like your adjustments are parts 22,28 and 33
http://www.craftsman.dk/Reservedele/Traktor/917.254450.pdf

[90+ret-d]

Fig. 36 in your manual and the instructions to the right of it are for leveling the deck. Is the front link that connects the deck to the front of the tractor in it's proper holes/ location?

[bgsengine]

Front link is a plate more like - non-adjustable , but as mentioned needs tobe in the correct location. Have seen many where the front hanger under the axle got bent from people running into stuff like stumps, etc, or the axle bushing gets worn to the point that it tips forward , which moves the bracket mounting holes rearwards, dropping the front of the deck.

It's a really lousy design by Husqvarna/AYP We had one where we had to quote a replacement of the entire front axle , the hanger plate and new linkages all around, and when all was said and done, customer figured they could buy a new tractor for a couple hundred bucks more. They managed to trade it in to some other shop (evidently one that was either desperate to make a sale, or really stupid - they lost money on the deal, big time. )

[38racing]

Is there a roller on the front ? a friend has a similar roper with the same problem.

[Deere2me]

Got a 1990 Craftsman GT6000 917.254450 with an 18hp B&S opposed twin vertical shaft. My question is about the 44 inch mower deck, I've adjusted it exactly like it says in the owners manual but even with the lift lever locked in the raised position it cuts about 3/4 inch lower then what I would like. I don't like how low the deck hangs in the front. The mower deck scalps the grass really bad and I can't get it into my shed because the front hangs up on the lip of the shed floor. With the lift lever locked in the raised position the back is 3' off the ground but the front is an inch. I don't see any adjustment for raising the front of the deck, just the back and side to side. I can't mow in any other position except with the lift lever locked in the raised because then the front of the deck drags on the ground. I also have the depth knob maxed out in the raised position which is no help. Does anybody know how I can raise up the front of the deck or is just nature of the beast?


Deck adjustment ---> http://www.manualslib.com/manual/493840 ... =22#manual

Here's what ya do:
1. Put the mower on a hard level surface, like yer driveway.
2. Use a piece of wood to position the front of the deck where ya need it to be, at yer usual cutting height.
3.Get ya a couple of coat hangers and some duct tape....

[Craftsman GT]

@BGSEngine- I'll take a look at the front end and see what I can find. I do agree about the design being lousy, love the tractor just not very impressed with the mower deck mount.

@38racing- No this one doesn't have any type of roller of gauge wheels, just a ski type runner that likes to dig into the ground. The Roper's I've seen with this style deck are the same way.

@Deere2Me- You've pretty much read my mind, my idea was drill a couple holes in frame below the front mount plate and then use two pieces of threaded rod and nuts, and use that to raise the front plate and front of the deck up.

I did happen to find the manual for a 1993 GT6000 and they apparently changed the front mount design and replaced the front plate with two rods with nuts on the end for adjusting the front of the deck up or down. It looks pretty easy to make so maybe I'll do that. Thanks everybody for replying

[Craftsman GT]

Just thought I'd give an update on this. I replaced both front wheel bushings and the front axle bushing and readjusted the mower deck which has made a huge improvement. The front of the deck is now 2 1/2 inches off the ground instead of an inch and it mows great now. Thanks