Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Help With CRAFTSMAN Lawn Mower deck adjustment, craftsman lawn tractor, craftsman lawn mower

Question
Hi,

We bought a 20 or so old Craftsman Lawn Tractor (model # 917.255520) 12.5 HP that works great except...........it cuts the grass too short even with the deck raised as high as it can go!!  There are 2 brackets attached to each side of the front of the mower deck with three holes going from top to bottom.  The top round hole has a long rod that runs through it,then 2 holes in the front frame member of the tractor then through the opposing round hole in the bracket attached to the opposite side of the deck. A clevis pin keeps the rod from coming off. My 1st thought move up the deck was remove the rod and lift the deck up and insert the rod through the bottom round holes (the middle holes are square)on the bracket. after struggling with that, the rod wouldn't fit through the low holes.  Stuck!  At the rear of the deck are 2 angled threaded adjustment screws that appear to allow for up/down adjustment of the rear of the deck.  the problem is...the deck is level and if I raise the rear only, I will have an unlevel cutting deck. Hope you can help

Lawn Scalper

Answer
Hello Todd:

To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers (917.255520) in the Upper Left of the Page and Click Search. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Now Select the Lift Adjustment File. You can See All the Adjustments for the Deck at thie Breakdown/IPL. Also, when this Mower Deck is in the Transport Position, it Should be Slightly Higher in the Back than in the Front. Lifting the Back of the Deck Does Not Effect the Cutting (Level/Unlevel). The Cutter Deck will Cut Level with the Front Low and Rear High. The Unlevel Cut Comes from Adjusting One Side of the Deck Higher or Lower than the Other. Not the Front and Rear Adjustments. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John