Uneven cutting

[Opiejo]

I just recently bought a Bx 1880 with a 54" mid mount mower. The day It was delivered i broke my heel at work and my son had the maiden cutting. I've noticed that when i cut the grass i get an uneven cut. The high in the center low on the edges. Seems like the wheels pushed the grass down. I've changed the blades thinking I had a bent blade. It's still the same. Does the height adjustment dial have anything to do with it? Does the dial turn one way also?

 

[Toc]

If its high in the middle and low on the sides it sounds like the front of your deck is too high and needs leveled. I level mine at the beginning of each cutting season. Park on something level, set the deck to the highest setting and lower it, (most are 4 inches on the highest setting). Rotate each blade so it is parallel with the tractor frame. Adjust the deck so each blade end pointing towards the front of the tractor is 4 inches from the level area you parked on. The end of the blade pointing to the rear of the tractor should be about 1/4 inch higher then the end of the blade pointing toward the front of the tractor. I've done this with every garden tractor and sub-compact I've owned. Always leaves a nice even cut. Don't expect the deck to be level from the factory, its rarely the case. Good luck and happy mowing!

 

[lugbolt]

bx1880 doesn't come factory with the deck on it. Dealer installs it. It is shipped UNDER the tractor in the crate but not installed. It is rare that the tech that does the setup actually levels the deck, and even rarer? They level it proper front-to-rear. Almost every tech does it wrong, and a lot of times it's either (1) the way they was taught or (2) by the book. Both are "correct" but incorrect. Time constraints usually are the culprit. In my case when I was doing a lot more of it, it was always hurry up, this thing needs assembly and PDI RFN, customer's on his way. Salesman never ever checks with the shop guys, they just tell the new owner we'll have it at your driveway at whatever time regardless of what kind of problem the shop might have.

Level it side to side first. Then front to rear. 0 rake is best, but the deck will use less HP/torque if the front of the deck is SLIGHTLY lower than the rear. And most measure it incorrectly or more specifically with less precision.

Tire pressures play a huge role. If the LR is 20 psi and the RR is 10 psi, it's gonna cut weird.

Also the throttle MUST be wide open to mow. Easier on the deck, engine, everything but the ears, but that's the way it is designed to run.

 

[Opiejo]

Thank you gentleman,
I'll check everything you suggested. I haven't even made a payment yet and I'm already frustrated. Everything you said make perfect sense. With my broken heal, the only driving I'm allowed to do is on my new tractor. I have 15 hours on it and that's mostly driving around my neighborhood. Thanks again

 

[BAP]

Lug bolt gave you a great list to check. Obviously, the quickest, easiest, and most often overlooked item is the tire pressures.

 

[Russell King]

I think you can get a gauge to measure the blade height fairly easily. I guess you can just use a 4 inch long block of wood as a gauge also.

 

[Opiejo]

In your opinion. What's a good rpm to mow in? I've been mowing about 2500 rpms.

 

[Boatman]

Wide open, 3000 RPM.

The knob only turns one direction.

 

[Opiejo]

Thank you

 

[Boatman]

I bought my BX1870 from a guy that never used it to mow. He only used it for a few hours to prep his new yard for seeding. I was very disappointed in how it mowed so unevenly and it was apparent the mower was never set up from the dealer. I spent a couple hours with the workshop manual setting it up and now it cuts pretty well.

 

[Opiejo]

Thanks Boatman,
I discovered that my tire pressures are completely off. I'm disappointed because they told me at the dealership that they were going to go over the tractor and level the deck. Well apparently they must not have done that because the pressure are so far off. Lesson learned on this one. Haha

 

[John T]

Rotate each blade so it is parallel with the tractor frame.

Lemme ask a stupid question...

Are the 3 blades supposed to always be aligned??

I just now looked under mine to measure, and all 3 blades are in different positions...

obviously I didn't give it any thought last time I sharpened then...

Do they need to be all the same?

Or would I just measure each blade 1 at a time?

Thanks

 

[i7win7]

Blades are belt driven will never be aligned in use. Replaced my blades this year and had lousy cut. Installed 1 blade upside down.

 

[John T]

Blades are belt driven will never be aligned in use. Replaced my blades this year and had lousy cut. Installed 1 blade upside down.

OK thanks thats what I figured...
I was having the same problem as the original poster here...

Turned out that the "fine tune" adjusting bolt on the left side (rear lifting arms) was way out.
after tightening them both down (left/right) I am getting a much better cut.

The deck was much higher on the right side because of that.

Front to back on the blades I'm pretty close according to my cheap azz plastic john deere mower height gauge

As far as grass cutting ... I feel the bx mid mount mower is best suited for acreage and not fine lawn care... the tractor is too heavy and mats the grass down.
I only use the kubota for the backyard (larger area) and less picky...

For the front, I want it to look nice, I use my 30 year old 48" Xmark walk behind with side bagger.

My front grass is tall fescue and I cut it at 3.5 - 4.0" the kubota just makes a mess of it.

 

[John T]

Replaced my blades this year and had lousy cut. Installed 1 blade upside down.

yer sposed to drink beer AFTER you cut the grass....

 

[Henro]

yer sposed to drink beer AFTER you cut the grass....

Yikes! I thought that thing on the left fender of my BX was A beer can holder!!!

Well, I guess I meant an empty beer can holder. Any carbonated beverage placed there would soon become flat where I mow...bounce, bounce, bounce....