Craftsman 42" Deck issues

New here, I have a Craftsman LT4000 with a 14HP Kohler engine, Model 917 255450 Serial 022593S 006499, I'm having issues with left and right side deck height.

I know how to adjust the deck front and back, but I cannot find anything to adjust the actual side to side height. The left side, driver side, is roughly 1" lower then the right side, my yard is hilly and has lots of high and low spots so I'll often find the mower digging into the ground or cutting the grass extremely low with the left blade.

I've looked the deck over and don't see anything wrong. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

 

If there is an inch difference between one side and the other, there is probably something wrong rather than a need for adjusting. When a mower is built, the deck is adjusted, and there is no need to readjust. Make sure all tires are properly inflated (a low tire makes the mower lean).

Look here at parts 11 and 12. Check those on your mower, one may have broken or fallen off.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...dMod=917255450

 

I will check tire pressure. I just put new mulching blades on the other day, so shouldn't be anything wrong there.

I've also got to replace the spindle on the left side, 2 out of 3 mounts were cracked.

I'm fairly certain that isn't related to the problem, I know how they cracked, hit a mostly buried rock when mowing a field, but you can physically see the height difference in the sides of the deck.

I've often wondered about the hanger on the left side, Part #12, might have to take a closer look there.

 

Did some digging around today, all the tires are within 1 or 2 psi of each other, will get those even across the board.

However it does seem there is some sag on the rear arm suspension and maybe the lift link as well.

Probably time for new parts.

 

The cracks are almost certainly the problem. They allow the mandrel to tilt when the belt tightens and the engine pulls on it and that pulls the inside tip of the blade down making it cut uneven.

 

It would be nice if that's all it was. Gotta order a new spindle, see how it goes from there...

 

Well got the new spindle installed, it's cutting a lot better, but the deck is not leveling out.

It really looks like the hangers on the left side, parts 19 & 12 are wore out, and no longer available through searspartsdirect....

 

Is that an MTD or a Murray Chassis and Deck under the Craftsman name ?

I've had good luck ordering parts from other after-market supply houses long after Sears and Craftsman has concluded their support for the unit.

Also, since you have the old parts that are wearing out, maybe you have a local blacksmith or machine shop that can fabricate replacement parts using yours as a template.

Just this week, I had a worn out Index Bracket for an MTD Mower renewed by having new stock welded onto the worn areas. That was also a discontinued item; now it's like new.

 

This is a roper made mower, not mtd or murray. If parts 19 and 12 are worn, I would think about welding up the worn spots to bring the mower back up to the height intended.