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Deck angle to lawn?

#1

T

Tseg

I just got a new Husqvarna push mower (7021p). I have both the front and rear wheels set to the middle height adjustment. I noticed this does not make the mower underside parallel to the ground, rather the deck is angled down towards the front. Is this how it should be or should I lower the rear wheels to make the deck parallel to the ground?


#2

djdicetn

djdicetn

Tseg said:
I just got a new Husqvarna push mower (7021p). I have both the front and rear wheels set to the middle height adjustment. I noticed this does not make the mower underside parallel to the ground, rather the deck is angled down towards the front. Is this how it should be or should I lower the rear wheels to make the deck parallel to the ground?
Click to expand...

I am unfamiliar with push mowers(but would assume they are no different), but all lawn tractors and Zero Turn mowers intentionally have the deck leveled with the front approximately 1/8 inch lower than the back. This blade tip "pitch" allows the leading front edge of the blades to actually cut the "height" of the grass and then the remaining blade to cut the grass clippings into smaller pieces. At least I "think" I have described this correctly:0)


#3

T

Tseg

Thanks. I was thinking it was on purpose... It looks like a bit more than 1/8 inch tilt, but close enough. I assume a tenured mower designer knows more about these things than me, but just wanted to verify.


#4

Kodie's Lawn Service

Kodie's Lawn Service

It is made like that on a mower to help bag or mulch along with making the grass smaller :thumbsup::thumbsup:


#5

Carscw

Carscw

All so takes less power to cut the grass.

I run mine with the back down lower than the front. Give a better cut and stripes with out putting a kit on.

But makes the engine work harder.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#6

djdicetn

djdicetn

Carscw said:
All so takes less power to cut the grass.

I run mine with the back down lower than the front. Give a better cut and stripes with out putting a kit on.

But makes the engine work harder.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Click to expand...

Carscw,
I kinda wondered if heeling the deck like that would produce stripes since the trailing edge of the spinning blades were cutting the grass(which would bend them forward like a flap/roller does). I'm still toying with the idea of trying it on my Gravely, but I'm a little concerned about the effect on the clipping discharge efficiency(right now NO PILES OF CLIPPINGS, even without a mulch kit) and potential for grass/dirt buildup to collect underneath the deck(nothing but a green stain underneath the deck right now). Both of these things(if they got worse) are more important to me than a little better quality cut and striping. So do you notice deck buildup or piles of clippings after setting the rear of your deck lower??????


#7

Carscw

Carscw

djdicetn said:
Carscw,
I kinda wondered if heeling the deck like that would produce stripes since the trailing edge of the spinning blades were cutting the grass(which would bend them forward like a flap/roller does). I'm still toying with the idea of trying it on my Gravely, but I'm a little concerned about the effect on the clipping discharge efficiency(right now NO PILES OF CLIPPINGS, even without a mulch kit) and potential for grass/dirt buildup to collect underneath the deck(nothing but a green stain underneath the deck right now). Both of these things(if they got worse) are more important to me than a little better quality cut and striping. So do you notice deck buildup or piles of clippings after setting the rear of your deck lower??????
Click to expand...

First thing I side discharge but use gator blades.
I cut my own grass very often I can't stand to wait till it looks like it needs to be cut. So I don't have grass build up.

Now on my HUD homes the grass most times is a foot tall I got a cub cadet two weeks ago and left the deck front low for first week this week I put the back low and love it. You ever cut tall thick grass and it leaves sprigs every were and you have to go back over it or cut real slow?

With the front up and back down I can mow faster and get I nice clean cut. Piles of clippings are less and no grass under the deck.

I have found this to be the way with most mowers.

And no I do not use the cub on my own yard it gets the respect only snapper can give it

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#8

Carscw

Carscw

Just now got done with this yard weeds were about 10 inch cut as fast as the mower will go.

image-751221508.png

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

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#9

djdicetn

djdicetn

Carscw said:
Just now got done with this yard weeds were about 10 inch cut as fast as the mower will go.

View attachment 13807

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Click to expand...

Carscw,
That is indeed a fine-looking cut for as tall as that grass was!!! I'm convinced I need to experiment with leveling my deck with the blade pitch set to "heel my deck" and may check into some Gator blades before changing it. My first "lawn improvement project" this Spring is to get rid of the moles. They attacked our neighborhood the end of last summer like a swarm of locusts. They are EVERYWHERE(even tunneling under concrete sidewalks into enclosed flower beds. Went to Lowes last Sunday and got some insecticide to kill the grubs, some castor oil mole repellent and some poison pellets to put in the tunnels. I already have one of those spring-loaded kill-traps up in the attic that I'm gonna use too. I'm gonna get rid of them critters no matter what it takes!!!


#10

Carscw

Carscw

djdicetn said:
Carscw,
That is indeed a fine-looking cut for as tall as that grass was!!! I'm convinced I need to experiment with leveling my deck with the blade pitch set to "heel my deck" and may check into some Gator blades before changing it. My first "lawn improvement project" this Spring is to get rid of the moles. They attacked our neighborhood the end of last summer like a swarm of locusts. They are EVERYWHERE(even tunneling under concrete sidewalks into enclosed flower beds. Went to Lowes last Sunday and got some insecticide to kill the grubs, some castor oil mole repellent and some poison pellets to put in the tunnels. I already have one of those spring-loaded kill-traps up in the attic that I'm gonna use too. I'm gonna get rid of them critters no matter what it takes!!!
Click to expand...

I would change the deck pitch and keep the blades that are on it. You know how the cut with the front lower so just change the pitch then you can judge by just that.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#11

Mbc

Mbc

Kodie's Lawn Service said:
It is made like that on a mower to help bag or mulch along with making the grass smaller :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Click to expand...

How much lower in the back when your heeling your deck for striping?


#12

djdicetn

djdicetn

Mbc said:
How much lower in the back when your heeling your deck for striping?
Click to expand...
Not sure what user Carscw has done to get the results he described. My Gravely manual gives specific measurements for "normal" pitch(front lower than back) and states 1/8". It then describes heeling the deck and eludes to setting the rear lower than the front(pointing out like previously mentioned that this gives a better cut quality but requires more engine power). It does not, however give a specific measurement so my assumption would be that this implies to follow the instructions for leveling the deck(outside East/West blade tips even(within 1/16" on both sides), then simply adjust the rear blade tip when facing North/South the same as the deck leveling instructions gave(or 1/8" lower than the front). Some mowers, as I understand it, recommend a pitch with the front blades as much as 1/4" lower so if your specific mower manual gives a setting other than 1/8" like my Gravely manual has I would use that and set the rear blade tip lower the same distance recommended by your manufacturer. It may not make a big difference but my guess would be anything more than 1/4" would probably be too much.


#13

djdicetn

djdicetn

Mbc said:
How much lower in the back when your heeling your deck for striping?
Click to expand...
Not sure what user Carscw has done to get the results he described. My Gravely manual gives specific measurements for "normal" pitch(front lower than back) and states 1/8". It then describes heeling the deck and eludes to setting the rear lower than the front(pointing out like previously mentioned that this gives a better cut quality but requires more engine power). It does not, however, give a specific measurement so my assumption would be that this implies to follow the instructions for leveling the deck(outside East/West blade tips even...within 1/16" on both sides), then simply adjust the rear blade tip when facing North/South the same as the deck leveling instructions gave(or 1/8" lower than the front). Some mowers, as I understand it, recommend a pitch with the front blades as much as 1/4" lower so if your specific mower manual gives a setting other than 1/8" like my Gravely manual has I would use that and set the rear blade tip lower the same distance recommended by your manufacturer. It may not make a big difference but my guess would be anything more than 1/4" would probably be too much.


#14

Mbc

Mbc

djdicetn said:
Not sure what user Carscw has done to get the results he described. My Gravely manual gives specific measurements for "normal" pitch(front lower than back) and states 1/8". It then describes heeling the deck and eludes to setting the rear lower than the front(pointing out like previously mentioned that this gives a better cut quality but requires more engine power). It does not, however give a specific measurement so my assumption would be that this implies to follow the instructions for leveling the deck(outside East/West blade tips even(within 1/16" on both sides), then simply adjust the rear blade tip when facing North/South the same as the deck leveling instructions gave(or 1/8" lower than the front). Some mowers, as I understand it, recommend a pitch with the front blades as much as 1/4" lower so if your specific mower manual gives a setting other than 1/8" like my Gravely manual has I would use that and set the rear blade tip lower the same distance recommended by your manufacturer. It may not make a big difference but my guess would be anything more than 1/4" would probably be too much.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks for the info


#15

Carscw

Carscw

I run my decks level and heeled.
I like to set the back about 1/4 inch lower then the front. I feel you get a better cut and the deck will clog less in wet grass.


#16

Mbc

Mbc

I set my heel a 1/4" lower than front! I'll post the results if any? Just waiting on grass to grow.....


#17

Carscw

Carscw

Mbc said:
I set my heel a 1/4" lower than front! I'll post the results if any? Just waiting on grass to grow.....
Click to expand...


Works best when you discharge.
I use gator blades and discharge.


#18

Mbc

Mbc

Ok yeah I don't even have a bagger... Thnx


#19

Mbc

Mbc

In order to stripe do you have to mow in same tracks in same direction each time?


#20

Carscw

Carscw

Mbc said:
In order to stripe do you have to mow in same tracks in same direction each time?
Click to expand...


When you stripe you have dark lines and light lines. The dark lines are coming to you the lighter lines are going away from you.

So make one pass say east to west make next pass west to east next to the first pass.
Next time you mow go south to north.

Mowing putting greens we use a clock. Start out mowing 12 to 6. Next time mow 1 to 7 and so on after a few times you will have a checker board pattern and no matter where you stand and look you will see the stripes.

Always best to mow a different pattern so you don't leave ruts from mowing the same every time.


#21

Mbc

Mbc

Oh wow I didn't know you could mow in so many directions. Around here I've only seen a a few. Like front to back side to side and diagonal.


#22

djdicetn

djdicetn

Carscw said:
When you stripe you have dark lines and light lines. The dark lines are coming to you the lighter lines are going away from you.

So make one pass say east to west make next pass west to east next to the first pass.
Next time you mow go south to north.

Mowing putting greens we use a clock. Start out mowing 12 to 6. Next time mow 1 to 7 and so on after a few times you will have a checker board pattern and no matter where you stand and look you will see the stripes.

Always best to mow a different pattern so you don't leave ruts from mowing the same every time.
Click to expand...

That sounds like something I would like to try out(the way you cut putting greens). Are you saying "each time you mow the green" you change the direction or you use the "clock method" during a single mow????? You did say "next time".....but I wanted to be sure I am interpreting you correctly. Is that an original idea of yours or did you pick that up from another commercial cutter? Sounds like it would indeed enhance the striping look!!!

Just mowed my yard yesterday for the first time this season(been getting a LOT of rain here in middle TN, but it had been two days since we got any). We had a bitter winter and the grass hasn't established well yet(it was mostly green onions:0)

I bought and installed the Gravely "hex striper" kit last fall but this is only the third time I've used it. When I get my yard looking just like I want it I'll post some pics!! Hope your doing well.....later.


#23

Carscw

Carscw

djdicetn said:
That sounds like something I would like to try out(the way you cut putting greens). Are you saying "each time you mow the green" you change the direction or you use the "clock method" during a single mow????? You did say "next time".....but I wanted to be sure I am interpreting you correctly. Is that an original idea of yours or did you pick that up from another commercial cutter? Sounds like it would indeed enhance the striping look!!! Just mowed my yard yesterday for the first time this season(been getting a LOT of rain here in middle TN, but it had been two days since we got any). We had a bitter winter and the grass hasn't established well yet(it was mostly green onions:0) I bought and installed the Gravely "hex striper" kit last fall but this is only the third time I've used it. When I get my yard looking just like I want it I'll post some pics!! Hope your doing well.....later.
Click to expand...

Ha ha I am getting the same rain. I hope we don't get as many rain days as last year.

When I worked on the golf course we cut the greens every day ( bent grass ) and sometimes twice a day in early spring and late fall.

Every time we cut it was a different line. And every other cut you did a clean up pass. One pass around the outside. One day would be clockwise the next time would be counterclockwise.

I keep my Bermuda at 1/2 inch I cut every 3 or 4 days with a toro greens master.
If I was using a rotary mower I would cut every 5 to 6 days at one inch.

If you have grass that turns brown in the winter you can spray the weeds with roundup without hurting the grass.


#24

djdicetn

djdicetn

Carscw said:
Ha ha I am getting the same rain. I hope we don't get as many rain days as last year.

When I worked on the golf course we cut the greens every day ( bent grass ) and sometimes twice a day in early spring and late fall.

Every time we cut it was a different line. And every other cut you did a clean up pass. One pass around the outside. One day would be clockwise the next time would be counterclockwise.

I keep my Bermuda at 1/2 inch I cut every 3 or 4 days with a toro greens master.
If I was using a rotary mower I would cut every 5 to 6 days at one inch.

If you have grass that turns brown in the winter you can spray the weeds with roundup without hurting the grass.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, my friend!! I'm gonna try that "clock pattern" and a few more approaches now that I've got a good striper attachment.


#25

Carscw

Carscw

djdicetn said:
Thanks for the advice, my friend!! I'm gonna try that "clock pattern" and a few more approaches now that I've got a good striper attachment.
Click to expand...

Don't ever forget cutting grass is fun.


#26

Mbc

Mbc

Ok guys the grass finally grew enough to mow..... Here's how it turned out!

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#27

Carscw

Carscw

Mbc said:
Ok guys the grass finally grew enough to mow..... Here's how it turned out!
Click to expand...

Not bad at all.

Do you see a difference with the deck heeled ?


#28

Mbc

Mbc

That I do....... It seems a lot more noticeable. Specially for the first cut of the year!


#29

djdicetn

djdicetn

Mbc said:
Ok guys the grass finally grew enough to mow..... Here's how it turned out!
Click to expand...

That's a fine looking cut your Husqvarna gives!!! What model is that??? Is it one of the MZ line ZTR's? I've always believed Husqvarna(and Dixon ZTR's which are also made by Husqvarna) is very good bang for your buck in their homeowner models!!!


#30

Mbc

Mbc

It is an RZ 4623. R-residential Z-zero turn 46"cut 23hp. I'm really pleased with the cut....


#31

Mbc

Mbc

Oh I meant to let you guys know. When I heeled my deck. I didn't notice any difference on the discharge or strain on the motor! Everything seemed to work really well. I'm actually thinking about dropping it another 1/4" in the rear. Do you think that would be to much? Or just try and see what happens??????




Thanks again for all the help?


#32

Carscw

Carscw

I would leave it as it is if your happy with the cut


#33

Mbc

Mbc

Yeah I'm happy but, I can't help wanting my stripes darker! I think I've caught the striping bug? He he he......


#34

djdicetn

djdicetn

Mbc said:
Yeah I'm happy but, I can't help wanting my stripes darker! I think I've caught the striping bug? He he he......
Click to expand...

I'm impressed with that RZ4623!!! With the nice basic stripe you are getting from heeling the deck I would suggest you check with your dealer to see if Husqvarna has one of the "rubber flap" type striper kits that usually just bolts across the back edge of your deck. Probably cost less than $100 installed or should be easy for you to install and that should make the stripes more pronounced. I agree with Carscw that I wouldn't lower the blades any more in the back until trying that. You can't expect heeling the deck itself to produce very significant stripes. But I must say that picture you posted looks like some nice striping for not having a striper kit!!!


#35

Av8r

Av8r

Mbc said:
Yeah I'm happy but, I can't help wanting my stripes darker! I think I've caught the striping bug? He he he......
Click to expand...

Personally, I like the cut you achieved with the deck "heeled", however, the manufacturers either level the deck (as with my Ferris) or they put the toe down. Where I mow, I frequently find granite property markers and would prefer my deck to not open up like Jaws to gobble up the post. If you want to stripe. I suggest a striper kit with the deck set to manufacture specs. My toe cents. :cool:


#36

Mbc

Mbc

Guys I'm sorry that I mis led you! I do have a make shift roller that I rigged up.... I was just trying to find a way to make my stripes more pronounced!!!!!!!
Here's a couple pictures

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#37

Carscw

Carscw

Av8r said:
Personally, I like the cut you achieved with the deck "heeled", however, the manufacturers either level the deck (as with my Ferris) or they put the toe down. Where I mow, I frequently find granite property markers and would prefer my deck to not open up like Jaws to gobble up the post. If you want to stripe. I suggest a striper kit with the deck set to manufacture specs. My toe cents. :cool:
Click to expand...

I get why you keep the front down. I do foreclosed homes and hit things all the time. I heel the deck because it cuts tall grass better ( over a foot ) I have got to where I can feel the deck raise up and know I am on a rock or a few times a axe head. I carry parts with me like extra deck spindles. Been lucky this year have about 300 cuts on them without one breaking.


#38

exotion

exotion

Stripes are better if the grass is healthy and long


#39

Mbc

Mbc

Yeah, thanks my deck is set @ highest setting 41/2" I think


#40

Mbc

Mbc

And also I have already fertilized too! Shouldn't be much longer til the brown is gone:)


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