Hustler Raptor Model 933077 52" Uneven Cutting

[83ragtop50]

My Raptor cuts smoothly where the grass is sparse or low. But when I cut grass that is dense or tall the cutting is uneven. About 17" in from the left of the swath being cut it leaves a band of grass about 8" wide that is left about 1/2 to 2/3 the height before cutting. Looks like a Mohawk haircut. The location of this is approximately where the left and center blades meet. I checked and the blade tips are less than 3/8" of their respective underdeck shrouds. I figured that I had dull or bent blades. I found the blades to be straight and I sharpened them before reinstalling. I swapped the blades to different spindles to see if the uncut location would move with a blade. But I still have exactly the same problem. Blades are torqued to specs. I do not hear any unusual noises from the spindles and pulleys. Center spindle and right idler pulley were replaced about 200 hours ago. Left and right spindles were replaced about 85 hours ago. The deck belt and tension spring were placed with the left and right spindles. I thought maybe the belt was slipping when under load so I sprayed it with belt dressing with no improvement. I am looking for other ideas. Thanks

 

[MParr]

Checking the blades for level
Remove the belt. Turn left blade to center blade end to end. Are they the same level? Spin both blade 180. Are they still level? Repeat the process on the right.
If they are not level you have a bent deck lid.
Are any of the blades upside down?

 

[hlw49]

Level the blades side to side. Turn the blades where the blades point front to rear. Front of the blade tips should be1/8 inch to 1/4 inch lower in the front.

 

[Rivets]

Had one like that a few years ago. What I found was that the blade was slowing down or just stopping because the belt was not riding correctly in the pulley. Replaced with an OEM belt and made sure the blade brake was fully releasing. Have some watch the problem spindle when cutting wet or long grass to see if the pulley slows down.