Craftsman 21 HP 42 in. Zero Turn Tractor Mower - CA Model Logo

Related Topics:

KETZ Posted on Mar 27, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Craftsman Zeroturn deck mows unevenly??

I have a Craftsman 21hp Zero turn with a 3 blade deck. It has the older deck height adjustment where you have to manually rotate the shaft located down on the right hand side. The previous owner said she had hit something and that a mobile Sears guy said that there was a broken "rod" underneath on the "deck assembly". She could still mow, but it would cut unevenly. Sure enough the left side cuts much shorter than the right. I have it up in the air and don't see any broken rods or broken anything for that matter. WHAT SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR AND WHERE? Please help. Thankyou. P.S. I'll gladly pull off the deck and straighten or weld anything before buying a whole new deck assembly for over $400 ! Thanks again

2 Answers

Bruce Augustine

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

  • Master 471 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2017
Bruce Augustine
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

Joined: Dec 08, 2013
Answers
471
Questions
0
Helped
147818
Points
1424

You can download a manual for your machine here and likely find the information you seek https://www.craftsman.com/products?keywords=lawn+mower+manuals just copy and paste it to your browser.

Ryan Gllinger

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 14 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 20, 2017
Ryan Gllinger
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: May 10, 2014
Answers
14
Questions
2
Helped
9437
Points
32

U should get on flat surface an loosen guides bolts let it drop all the way down then tighten ur guide bolds an that should solve problem u can make sure none of ur pins are wore but they can usually ware almost all the way through and still not make it cut bad now before u adjust the deck check blade they have been known to cut bad if wore or bent

Ad

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 10865 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 04, 2009

SOURCE: I sharpened the blades at the end of last mowing

The problem you discribe is the classic broken blade spindle or quill. The tube that supports the bearings between the deck pulleys and the blades is almost certainly broken. Look under the deck [mower OFF] at the piece right above the blade that is malfunctioning and you will probably find a bad bearing or a chunk of the tube that holds the bearing/blade to be missing. That happens when the blade gets 'wacked'. The outer edge is cutting too high because the belt is pulling the shaft toward the center of the deck. The quills are fairly easy to replace. Get the model number off your tractor before you go to buy the part.

Ad
panilling9

panilling9

  • 284 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 15, 2009

SOURCE: Mowing blades on 42 inch deck are not cutting evenly.

go to sears.com
find parts direct at the top click on it

a place will come up where you can enter you mod#
click on search aftermod # entered and everything part wise will come up for that tractor
on the left hand side

wadembly

Wade Mobley

  • 513 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 04, 2009

SOURCE: 42" deck - uneven mowing in the center

yes its repairable & yes it can bend the spendle but most likely the blades is it one that does it or both blades or the center or the sides of deck is bent by stepping on the deck let me know if i can further help thanks wade

Anonymous

  • 218 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 04, 2009

SOURCE: one blade on deck gives an uneven cut

Hi..my name is Keith..and most times..when your problem happens..either the deck is bent down from runing into something or stepping on it..or the deck hanger is bent, worn or out of adjustment..or the blade on that side is bent..and i hope this will help..if not..please write back

Anonymous

  • 32 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 26, 2009

SOURCE: How do I get my mower deck set properly? Any tricks?

check your front tire air pressures







Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Left side is scalping especially when turning

Stephen Bent/damage blade or spindle, check your deck for support link pin missing, damaged or rusted out brackets, blade spindle loose/mount damages or rusted out, missing deck support spring,wheel/roller if equipped, damaged blades, Recheck tire pressure and front steering axles for bent/damage, etc.
When measuring deck for level, measure at blade tips not the deck on a flat level surface. Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."
Lawn Mower Quality of Cuts Problems and Solutions
How to Adjust the Deck Height on Husqvarna
Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower cutting uneven
cutting uneven chopping up ground Craftsman Riding Mower
1helpful
1answer

Uneven Cutting with my Zero Turn 50"...Possible Causes?

First is being sure all your tires have proper air pressure and you don't have a bent blade. Then while parked on flat concrete and both outside blades at 3 and 9 o'clock measure blade height far left side of deck and far right side and compare. I there is a difference the entire deck is out of level and should be adjusted. Then remove the blade drive belt from one of the pulleys so everything is slacked. Grab each blade and see if it wobbles or has excessive play and check the spindle housings for cracks or breaks. If you find a housing with wobble or play the bearings in that spindle are shot ( this is a lot harder to detect with the belt tension on the pulleys) and should be replaced. If you find a broke or cracked housing the housing will need to be replaced. Either one of these situations may not be obvious with the mower at rest but the blade will wobble at speed causing uneven cuts.
Aug 25, 2014 • Garden
0helpful
1answer

Why does unit run sluggish when blades are engaged?

if you are talking about before even moving, it could be grass and dirt caked inside of the deck. If you are talking about when you start mowing, it could be front to back height adjustment. owners manual has instructions for adjusting deck height.
0helpful
1answer

Uneven mowing

first make sure left and right sides are same height. Next, adjust front and back heights per users manual. If still off, make sure you dont have a bent blade or bent or missing front or rear deck link.
3helpful
3answers

My mowers cuts uneven I replaced the blades but it still cuts uneven how can I level it?

Park mower on a level flat surface ( a concrete garage floor is ideal ) lift deck up until you can put a piece of a 2x4 flat underneath the deck and lower deck until it just contacts the 2x4. loosen adjustment nuts or turnbuckles and adjust until the deck just starts to clear the 2x4. this should level your deck. Now , lift the deck and remove the 2x4. put blade height lever on a known cut length and with a tape measure, measure the tips of the blades from the floor to the blade tip...they should all be the same within 1/8 of an inch...if not then you either have a bent blade, bent spindle shaft, or spindle bolts are loose or misaligned. Your deck could be warped too...depending on how hard a lick it took...good luck !!! ;-D
4helpful
2answers

Cuts uneven, lawn looks terrible. Missing half

Are your blades upside down? Mower deck level?Proper air pressure all 4 tires?Correct blades for the diameter of cut? Deck bent? Deck hangers bent?
May 28, 2010 • Garden
0helpful
1answer

I have a Craftsman 42" rider cuts uneven

Check your tire pressure first, uneven tore pressure will cause this problem.On the rear of cutting deck on both sides there are height adjustments, if your deck has a rear roller this also can be adjusted to compensate,If your a stout person sitting on tractor can cause unevenes.
0helpful
3answers

I have a Murray 40 inch riding lawn mower and I had to replace the blades - which I did but when I went to mow the lawn it dug up my lawn so I thought I put the blades in wrong so I reversed the blades and...

It sounds like your mowing deck is too close to the ground. Can you adjust the blade height with a lever? I have a Craftsman riding mower, my deck height is adjusted manually with the use of a locking level shifter, be sure yours is set to the proper minimum height and this will eliminate driving the blades into the turf.
Sep 21, 2009 • Garden
0helpful
1answer

Blades won't disengage

Hi,
When the mower is off and the clutch is disengaged you should not be able to physically turn the blade(s) if you can then you need to adjust the blade brake (look on the mower deck and you should see what appears to be a brake pad). Your owners manual will show you how to adjust. If you need a copy of the owners manual then I would suggest going to www.managemyhome.com and downloading a free copy of the manual for your mower (Need model number which starts is located under the seat).
Good luck!
2helpful
1answer

42" deck - uneven mowing in the center

yes its repairable & yes it can bend the spendle but most likely the blades is it one that does it or both blades or the center or the sides of deck is bent by stepping on the deck let me know if i can further help thanks wade
Not finding what you are looking for?

158 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Craftsman Garden Experts

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Jay Finke
Jay Finke

Level 3 Expert

1397 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

Are you a Craftsman Garden Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...