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I have a 42 inch Craftsman riding mower and notice that the mower is leaving a strip or ridge of grass in the center between the two blades after I cut an area. Is this normal? this is my first riding mower. Also the mower has two blades and when the time comes how do I gain access to the underside to remove the blaces and sharpen them. I live in S. Florida and had Floratam grass and with all the rain it needs cutting every week.
Thank you.
I should have written asking how best to raise the mower to remove the blades for sharpening. Also can you elaborate on deck leveling, how does that affect the mowing. I do check tire pressure before cutting.
Thanks
Tractor Supply has three lifts available. You can also just use auto ramps if you have them. Or, you could simply use concrete blocks and a ramp made out of 2"X10"X8' - just be careful that your tractor is secure.
I usually just put the mowing deck all the way up lay on a piece of foam. When I had my shop; I had a ramp up to a table.
Have you hit anything with your mower? If one of your blade spindles is bent; the blades might not meet.
But, as said before; is this still under warranty? If it is; take it back. However; if you had hit something; they will not cover that under warranty.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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You basically disconnect and drop the cutting deck to the ground, then pull it out to service it, but alignment/leveling is done with it on. You may have blades dull on the ends due to hitting rocks or sticks, that need sharpening or replacement. All manuals, if you don't have one are available as PDFs online by model and serial number. I recently got one for my Craftsman 30" as the old one got all greasy and dirty.
I have a Craftsman 48" garden tractor (a GT3000) that's about 10 or 12 years old. When it starts to leave a gap in the middle, or on the sides of each cutting path, the blades need sharpening or replacing. My mower deck has three blades.
To change my blades, you don't have to remove the deck to change them. I usually lift the front of the tractor with with an engine lift but, in a pinch, I've just run the mower up on blocks raising it enough to get my arms underneath.
Be careful sharpening blades yourself. If you grind too much off one end, it could place the blade out of balance and will eventually beat the bearings out of your hubs, or spindles as Sears calls them I believe. I usually just order new blades when they go dull. Mine are about $38.00 for the three.
I have a Craftsman 48" garden tractor (a GT3000) that's about 10 or 12 years old. When it starts to leave a gap in the middle, or on the sides of each cutting path, the blades need sharpening or replacing. My mower deck has three blades.
To change my blades, you don't have to remove the deck to change them. I usually lift the front of the tractor with with an engine lift but, in a pinch, I've just run the mower up on blocks raising it enough to get my arms underneath.
Be careful sharpening blades yourself. If you grind too much off one end, it could place the blade out of balance and will eventually beat the bearings out of your hubs, or spindles as Sears calls them I believe. I usually just order new blades when they go dull. Mine are about $38.00 for the three.
Here is a cheap balancer: 42-100 Blade Balancer. I used one very similar when I was in business many years ago. They might even have them cheaper made in plastic.
It takes some practice grinding your blades. Keep a coffee can of water along side of your grindstone. The blades get super hot while grinding. Just dunk your blades in the water to keep them cool. If you get them too hot; you'll take the temper out of the cutting edge. Also; don't try to get them super sharp. A very thin cutting edge tends to dull very quick when it hits small pebbles and sticks. With practice you can get pretty good. You also might want to wear a dust mask to protect yourself from silicone dust from the grinding wheel. Heavy leather gloves will protect your hands from burns. Of course; safety glasses should always be worn when grinding.
If you have two or more blades you can also perform one more check. Stack your blades together and check to see if they fit tight. Sometimes blades get bent from rocks and roots. If they are bent; they will not fit together without a big air space. In that case; buy new.
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