1046 bagger and tire issues

[kbovee]

Hello, I'm new to the site. I bought a 1046 last year after my 7yr old John Deere LT150 blew up (Briggs) and I could not find a motor for it. A couple of things I would like to resolve with the 1046:
- The bagger does not seem to be vented enough which causes grass clippings and leaves to shoot out from under the deck rather than blow into the bags. This setup makes it almost impossible to pick up leaves.
- The turning radius is as claimed (almost zero). However, the front tires dig into the turf when turning tight, even when going as slow as possible. It is impossible to crank the wheel all the way and not damage the lawn. I believe this to be a camber issue (not enough) which causes the tires to push rather than roll when turned.
Anyone have the same experiences? Anyone with any modification ideas to resolve these issues? Appreciate any help.

Thanks

[ACecil]

I'm not much help, but want to welcome you to OCC!

[SureGrip]

Originally Posted by kbovee

Hello, I'm new to the site. I bought a 1046 last year after my 7yr old John Deere LT150 blew up (Briggs) and I could not find a motor for it. A couple of things I would like to resolve with the 1046:
- The bagger does not seem to be vented enough which causes grass clippings and leaves to shoot out from under the deck rather than blow into the bags. This setup makes it almost impossible to pick up leaves.
- The turning radius is as claimed (almost zero). However, the front tires dig into the turf when turning tight, even when going as slow as possible. It is impossible to crank the wheel all the way and not damage the lawn. I believe this to be a camber issue (not enough) which causes the tires to push rather than roll when turned.
Anyone have the same experiences? Anyone with any modification ideas to resolve these issues? Appreciate any help.

Thanks

Dumb question, but sometimes, the simplest things are the answer....have you checked the tire pressure in the left tire?

I've got a right front that runs low on my LT1018, and it will dig really hard on left turns when it's low.

I've got nothing on the bagger issue.

[gcbailey]

Originally Posted by kbovee

Hello, I'm new to the site. I bought a 1046 last year after my 7yr old John Deere LT150 blew up (Briggs) and I could not find a motor for it. A couple of things I would like to resolve with the 1046:
- The bagger does not seem to be vented enough which causes grass clippings and leaves to shoot out from under the deck rather than blow into the bags. This setup makes it almost impossible to pick up leaves.
- The turning radius is as claimed (almost zero). However, the front tires dig into the turf when turning tight, even when going as slow as possible. It is impossible to crank the wheel all the way and not damage the lawn. I believe this to be a camber issue (not enough) which causes the tires to push rather than roll when turned.
Anyone have the same experiences? Anyone with any modification ideas to resolve these issues? Appreciate any help.

Thanks

Did you change your blades to the high lift ones? That should help take care of some of the leaf problem... Also, I've noticed with leaves that if you're picking them up exclusively (not so much mowing grass) you need to raise the deck.

The turning issue, you may need to adjust the camber, I've got a 1045 (single cylinder version) of the 1046 w/ the bagger and I never had those issues.

[kbovee]

Thanks all for the replies. I checked the tire pressure and its good. As far as blades I don't know if they are high lift, but I did have the dealer install the bagger so assumed they would use the right blades. I'll check with the dealer tomorrow as I need new blades anyhow. Thanks for the hint on deck height when picking up leaves.

Anyone know if the camber is adjustable on a 1046? My front tires are digging up the lawn bad, especially around my islands where I'm turning tight. It's done this since day one and others have complained about it on internet blogs.

Thanks again All

[gcbailey]

The camber is adjustable... I just can't remember how to adjust it, it's in the book.

Never assume a dealer has done anything! I got my bagger off the shelf at HD and it came with 2 different sets of blades, one high lift and the other mulching. Whoever put the bagger on may or may not have known about the other blades, or didn't care, or was too lazy, or whatever...

Another thing too, mowing decks in general don't produce a lot of lift, even with high lift blades. If you are going to be using your bagger in damp grass or anything I'd suggest lubing up the chute and everything real good with Pam or something. They can and will get clogged, and that's no matter the make/model. Unless you have something with a powered bagger eventually it will clog and that's no fun...

[gcbailey]

one more thing... If leaves and grass are shooting out the sides of the deck, also check to make sure the deck is leveled properly back to front and side to side. But if everything is right (deck) and you have the proper blades you should actually be able to watch stuff right beside the deck get sucked under and into the deck due to the lift/vacuum created by the blades.

[kbovee]

SureGrip - tire pressure was really low in the front tires. Inflated them to 14psi as specified. Seems to have help, although not completely eliminated tearing up the lawn when turning tight. Thank you.

Gcbailey - Bought new blades (high lift) and they are exactly what was on it. Dealer says its the only blade available for my year (2011) and model (LTX1046) anyhow. I do notice that clippings and leaves blow out the front of the deck so maybe the deck is not level front to back. I'll check that. I checked the manual and there is no camber adjustment, only toe-in adustment.

Thanks

[rweaver]

the correct way a deck should be set is 1/4 in down in the front this prevents recutting in the back and leaving grass out the back seen it many times guy had the deck up in the front and were complaining about not cutting right this is how my cub dealer told me to set decks up