QuestionQUESTION: We have a Craftsman riding lawn mower with a Briggs and Straton engine. It is a 19.5 hp, turbo cooled,
6 speed engine. The model number is 917-270810. It has a 42 inch cut and has 2 blades to do this. However it is not doing this. It is leaving a strip in the center. The deck is wobbly and does not seem even. The handle that lowers the deck to cut will not move much. It moves and little and then that is like it is at the bottom and it won't go any farther. Does the deck need to be fastened up higher?
How can we get it to not leave a strip uncut in the center? How do we tighten the deck up? And what do we do to get the handle that lowers the deck to move.
ANSWER: Hello Linda:
The Reason for the Strip of Grass Left Uncut in the Middle of the Deck is the Blade Tips are Worn and Do Not Meet as Designed to Cut the Grass in the Center of the Deck. Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers in the Upper Left Search Box and Click Go. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and CLick Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Select the Mower Lift, View Diagram. Depending on Where the Heigth Adjuster is Set, Will Determine How Far the Deck has to be Raised or Lowered. The Cut Heigth Adjuster is Diagram #s 23 thru 29. Check the Lift Links (#11&12) and Ensure they are Connected. You can Level the Cut Using the Lift Link Nut. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John, THANKS for your rapid reply!!! We did replace the blades sometime back thinking that would eliminate the uncut strip in the center, but it still left an uncut strip in the center. Is there any way the shaft they are attached to could have moved farther apart and it needs to be shoved back in place? That probably sounds dumb, but I'm just trying to figure out why it doesn't cut all the grass. Maybe we will try new blades again now that we have the parts number. I think the last time we just went to the store and bought some blades for a 42 inch cut. The guy there said they should work and they shouldn't leave a strip, but they did. I don't remember if they were mulching blades or not, would that make a difference? Once again thank you for all of your help.
Sincerely, Linda
AnswerHello Again Linda:
Thanks for the Information. If the Blade Spindles/Mandrals.Qill Assemblies have Bad Bearings or the Housing Mounting Bolts Come Loose the Strip of Grass Not Cut can Occur. Usually though the Grass Slopes In Towards the Strip Left Uncut. The Proper Blades "DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE". You Really need to Purchase the Blades CAlled for for the Mower. I have Seen as Much as 1/8" Difference in 42" Blade Sets Depending on the Model. As Long as the Mulching Blades are for the Mower, you Will Not have a Problem. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I Just Read Your Post. Thanks for the Very Good Words. i am Glad I Could Assist. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks Again.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
John
