Why your lawn is not as beautiful as others — uneven or even scalped. It is most likely that your mower deck is not level. Follow this guide, and we will teach you step-by-step how to level your deck quickly and easily. As a result, you can get a smooth, professional-looking cut and achieve a professional-looking lawn you can be proud of.
Why Is a Level Mower Deck Important?
A level deck keeps your grass even and your mower working smoothly.
When the deck is adjusted correctly, each blade cuts at the same height, giving a clean, flat finish.
An unlevel deck, however, can cause:
- Scalping: Grass gets cut too short in some spots.
- Uneven mowing: Other areas stay too high.
- Extra stress: It wears down belts, spindles, and even the engine. A level deck is a key part of overall mower health, just like knowing the warning signs of a bad mower belt or what to do if your lawn mower starts smoking.
A balanced deck means a better-looking lawn and less wear on your machine.
3 Signs Your Mower Deck Needs Leveling
Your lawn often gives you clear signs that something’s off.
Look for these clues:
- Uneven Stripes: After mowing, one side of each pass looks shorter than the other — your deck is probably tilted side to side.
- Scalping the Lawn: You see bare or dirt patches, especially on hills or high spots — your deck is set too low or not level.
- The Deck Digs in During Turns: If the edge of the deck scrapes the ground during a turn, it’s a sure sign that one side is hanging lower.
How to Level Your Mower Deck in 5 Steps
Leveling involves two main adjustments — side-to-side and front-to-back (pitch).
Here’s how to do it safely and accurately.
(Always check your owner’s manual for exact adjustment points for your specific mower. If you can’t find it or are unsure of the model year, our guides on finding your lawn mower’s serial number.)
Step 1: Prepare Your Mower and Workspace
Safety first.
- Park the mower on a flat, solid surface such as a garage floor or paved driveway.
- Engage the parking brake.
- Turn off the engine and remove the ignition key.
- For extra safety, disconnect the spark plug wire so the engine can’t start by accident.
Step 2: Check and Correct Tire Pressure
Many uneven cuts are caused by uneven tire pressure, not deck issues.
Use a tire pressure gauge to check all four tires.
Inflate them to the pressure listed on the tire sidewall or in your owner’s manual.
“You can’t level a deck on a crooked foundation. Correct tire pressure is your foundation.”
Step 3: Make the Side-to-Side Adjustment
This step ensures both sides of your mower deck are level with the ground.
- Rotate one blade so it points out to the sides (perpendicular to the mower), with one tip facing left and the other facing right. This is a core part of knowing how to adjust mower blades for the best cut.
- Measure the height from the left blade tip to the ground.
- Then, without rotating the blade, measure the height from the right blade tip to the ground.
- The two measurements should be the same.
If not, adjust the deck lift link nut on one side.
Turning the nut will raise or lower that side until both blade tips are within ⅛ inch of each other.
Step 4: Set the Front-to-Back Pitch
Now check the blade tilt — this helps the mower cut grass cleanly instead of tearing it.
- Rotate the blade so it points front to back.
- Measure the height of the front tip and the rear tip.
For best results, the front tip should be slightly lower — about ⅛ to ¼ inch lower than the rear.
This lets the blade cut more efficiently.
Find the front deck hanger rod or adjustment nut near the front of your mower.
Tighten or loosen it until you reach the correct pitch.
Step 5: Final Checks and Reassembly
Once you’re done:
- Recheck all measurements to confirm your deck is even.
- Tighten any loose lock nuts.
- Reconnect the spark plug wire and reinsert the key.
- Test the mower on a small section of grass.
The cut should now be clean and even from edge to edge.
Conclusion
Leveling your mower deck regularly is one of the easiest ways to keep your machine in good shape, which helps prevent wear, protects parts, and gives your lawn a neat, smooth finish every time.
If you notice problems like bent blades, worn lift arms, or damaged spindles, and so on. It might be time to replace those parts. FridayParts offers durable mower deck parts to fit your needs. Explore today!
