Having a hard time getting my deck level

rbarri2 · #1 05-30-2014, 06:15 PM

New to Cub Cadets and new to the forum.
I have a 1964 Cub Cadet 100 with 3 spindle mower deck.
I have checked the tire pressure and I have tried adjusting the right side screw eye, but I can't get it to level.

I only see an adjustment at the front where the deck hangs from two screw eyes, am I missing another adjustment.

Also, I'm wondering if my deck hangers are worn out and I'm chasing something I can't catch. I want to be proud of this thing when I finished cutting the grass, but right now I'm happier with the way my old Snapper RER cuts.

i searched for a bit, but couldn't find anything, I'm sure this has been covered, so please excuse me.
thanks

inspectorudy · #2 05-30-2014, 10:30 PM

I do not know your mower specifically but if it is like most of the CC three blade decks then there are three adjustment points. The two at the front that you mentioned and one on the rear hanger on the right side on mine. The one on the rear hanger is mostly for side to side leveling and the two at the front are for up and down of the front to the rear. However they all interact when adjusting them so you will have to remeasure as you go along. If your lawn has any slopes in it then you will find that there is always one side that will hand down a little more than the other side will if it is on the downhill side while mowing. On mine it is the discharge side that always hangs down a little more than the close cut side. I have gone so far as to add a wire to the discharge side to prevent it from swinging down but now I just mow vertically instead of across the hills.

rbarri2 · #3 05-30-2014, 11:21 PM

thanks for the reply.
I'm only off by about 1/4" on the discharge side (right side).
Tonight I pulled the deck off to check everything.
I think I'm going to replace the front eye bolts as they look worn and they are cheap.

I check for a rear adjustment on the deck and keep messing with it.
thanks

IHinIN · #4 05-31-2014, 05:51 AM

To adjust the rear of the deck, you have to add shims between the rear hangers and the deck. Adding the shims to the high side will lower that side.

dale c. · #5 05-31-2014, 08:35 AM

or you can weld the top of the slot on the lift link a little to make the low side lift more ....but look across the lift arms from side to side and see if they're parallel with each other some people use the mower deck as a step and it can bend the arms . if they aren't parallel you can use a bottle jack under the low one and bend it back up...btdt on my inlaws 122 years ago

PaulS · #6 05-31-2014, 10:54 PM

I recall having problems with the 42 inch 3 blade deck on my 102. My blades had a fiber washer to keep them from slipping and I had to use 2 of those fiber washers under (on top of) the blade to lower them to the level of the one spindle that was low. In a sense I lowered the other blades to match the lowest one.

john hall · #7 06-08-2014, 08:48 AM

I bought one of those plastic "tools" to use to level decks. Being molded plastic it has its issues but at least you can actually measure left to right and front to back. I always measure about 1/4" in from the edge of the blade. It will also let you know if you have a bent spindle or blade by turning the spindle 180 deg. Google lawn mower deck leveling tool and you'll see what I'm talking about. I picked mine up locally at a Deere dealer a few years back.