Riding Mower--leveling the mowing deck?
 

I borrow the riding lawnmower from the 80-year old widow next door and mow both of our yards.

Lately, it seems that the deck on the mower is tilted to one side. How do I go about leveling the deck?

This is a 10-year old Craftsman mower with a 42" deck, but I assume (possibly wrongly) that most riding mowers are the same in this respect.

Check the tire pressure. Also, if a wheel on the deck are pushed up (bent bracket) it may cause your problem. That's all I can think off.

My old Craftman isn't level, and I've tried (not very hard) to fix it. It's not a priority, so I just cut in a checker pattern or go over the lawn a second time at top speed. My yard looks like the outfield of a baseball field with the checkered pattern...and I get to use top speed on the mower while pretenting I'm at the race track :)

I don't have a Craftsman but they are mostly similar. Mine has an adjustable bracket on both sides toward the rear of the deck. It takes a 15mm socket and there are two plates with slots that slide against each other. While parked on a flat surface measure from the blades to the ground to get it level. ***Also, make sure the it is adjusted so the deck sits slightly lower in the front so that the blades of grass are only being cut once per pass.

I had an old Craftsman with a 42" deck that you could level.

Try this place to find the manual: Free Craftsman Lawn Mower owners manuals, user guides & how to instructions | ManualsOnline

Can you adjust the wheel height?

I've got the same mower. Above the blade deck there are two bolts on each side. To raise one side, just turn the bolt up or down to lower. I can't keep mine level and it bugs me. Its about a 1/2 inch open end.

Mine has the brackets on either side as well.

I throw a piece of plywood under the deck and let it all the way down with the selector handle in the lowest position, then tighten it up.

The hardest part about keeping a mower deck level is remembering not to use it as a step when getting on the mower.