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Mooman


Joined: Jul 10, 2005
Points: 3

Help!
Original Message   Jul 11, 2005 8:27 pm
Nice site guys, I hope you can help me.

I have a 2003 Craftsman LT 2000 riding mower with a 42" deck  that I bought used last fall. Here's the problem, the mower is scalping my lawn. I've adjusted the tire pressure according to the owner's manual, put new blades on it yesterday, and the deck is level but it is still scalping the lawn! Any ideas???

Thanks in advance for any and all replies,

Mooman

Replies: 1 - 10 of 10View as Outline
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Help!
Reply #1   Jul 11, 2005 8:56 pm
I will assume the deck height is raised enough?

When you say scalping, what do you mean? Is it scalping over bumps, turns, high spots or all of the time no matter what?
Mooman


Joined: Jul 10, 2005
Points: 3

Re: Help!
Reply #2   Jul 11, 2005 11:23 pm
Marshall,

Yes, the deck height is raised enough. The mower scalps all of the time, no matter what, but it seems to be more noticable in the turns. It looks as if the left side of the deck is cutting lower than the right side. Thanks again for any input,

Mooman

Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Help!
Reply #3   Jul 12, 2005 12:16 am
Make sure the blades are not installed upside down. Make sure you have the correct blades.

Assuming the mower is not bent and in correct shape, I can't think of any reason for the deck to be scalping constantly other than it being un-level side to side and/or front to back, the deck not raised high enough, the blades installed upside down, the wrong blades, improper tire inflation or the use of some type of spacer in between the blade and the mount causing the blade to be lower than it should be.

Do you have the deck lifted as high as it will go?
jubol


Location: Dover, De
Joined: Oct 3, 2003
Points: 1558

Re: Help!
Reply #4   Jul 12, 2005 6:20 am
Hi,

What about your left and right deck wheels. Are they adjusted correctly and are the bolts tight??

                                                                                                         Fred 

Husqvarna STE927(11.5HP) snowblower,  MTD Pro Series 18/42 Lawnmower, MTD 6.5 HP  Self Prop Lawn Mower,  Weedeater 1500 Blower, Web Gensis  2000 
Dave___in___CT


Deliberate often...
...decide once...


Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159

Re: Help!
Reply #5   Jul 12, 2005 7:15 am
Hi...

On a flat (concrete / tar ) surface... check the "deck" for level... but check the height from the ground to each BLADE TIP... not to the deck itself...

Is anything holding the deck loose ? missing ? Does the deck have anti-scalp wheels...?  If not... may need to add 'em...

Dave...

Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.
Henry Ford

   BCS Tractor & snowblower

AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Help!
Reply #6   Jul 12, 2005 3:17 pm
I think a clip/pin could be missing. 

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Mooman


Joined: Jul 10, 2005
Points: 3

Re: Help!
Reply #7   Jul 14, 2005 6:32 pm
Thanks fer all the input and I will take a closer look at everything you guys mentioned.

By the way Marshall, pretty much everything you suggested is correct, blades installed the right way, correct tire pressure, ect., ect., and thanks to all for taking the time to try and help me out, I really appreciate it !

Mooman

Dave___in___CT


Deliberate often...
...decide once...


Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159

Re: Help!
Reply #8   Jul 17, 2005 5:45 pm
You are welcome Mooman !

Dave...

Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.
Henry Ford

   BCS Tractor & snowblower

lland


Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 605

Re: Help!
Reply #9   Jul 22, 2005 8:48 am
Agree with AJace...could be a clip missing that holds the deck to one (or more) of the hangers or the deck may not be properly installed.  Even if you're adjusting the height of the deck, it could be just riding on the ground.

Other than that, if everything is properly adjusted and nothing is bent or broken, I'm stumped.

LL

2001 Toro 20023 Personal Pace
2002 John Deere Trimmer/Edger/Blower
2003 Craftsman DYT 4000 - 25HP/48" w/bagger
2003 Toro 826LE Snowblower
2004 Mantis Tiller/Dethatcher/Aerator/Edger
2005 Husqvarna 145BT Backpack Blower
Rubbermaid 10CF Trailer
Craftsman 40" Plug Aerator
AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Help!
Reply #10   Jul 22, 2005 6:02 pm
Yes, It's possible that the lift lever isn't attached properly to the hangers.  Is the lift lever extremely to move up, back to the operators seat or does it not have one? 

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Replies: 1 - 10 of 10View as Outline
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