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highest mowing position still too low

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
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2011-05-28          178661

Just bought a Cub Cadet LXT 1040 because of a recent health condition. The problem I am having is the highest position of the deck cuts the grass way to low. It is actually scalping the grass in places. I have been using a Toro mulcher for years and use the "D" and "E" settings to mow my yard. Now I am wondering if I have made a huge mistake by buying a riding mower.

I bought the mulcher blades and the side plate that covers the discharge hole. I tried mowing with the regular blades and the mulcher cover, but it throws grass six or seven feet with the deck in the highest position.

I tried removing the original blades to put on the mulching blades, but couldn't remove the bolt. I was told by the mower guy at Home Depot that the switch was a breeze. I immombalized the blade with two C-clamps, but still couldn't budge the bolts. The manual says to remove the deck to do the job, but I'm not certain I could break the bolt even then.

Any suggestions short of taking it to a mower shop?

Daniel


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highest mowing position still too low

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auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2011-05-29          178668

(Just talking generally; I have no CC experience.)

A mulch blade is the same as a regular except for more aggressive "ears" or turn-downs to deflect the clippings down. It does not affect mow height except that the ears make scalping even more likely. (In mulching mode the outflow chute is generally closed off. If the grass is thick, go very slow lest clippings become thatch. An alternative is to use a grass-catcher if one is available for yours.)

Yours is a modern unit and the current tendency is for higher settings, so maybe it's defective or not adjusted right. If you got it at Home, well, their thing is low price and don't bother us afterward. Still, I'd talk to the section manager about your returning it as unusable -- unless they adjust or replace it, and in either case they can pick it up or send out a service call.

They'll say, "We don't have a service dept; you have to deal with the servicer shown on the documentation that came with it." You reply, "This is not a failure after use, it's a failure since new. YOU arrange for the servicer to pick it up or do a house call and charge it to CC, or I'll have to follow my lawyer's instructions." (Don't necessarily tell them this but the simplest would be to write them to tell them to pick it up and issue a full refund and why, or you'll issue a Small Claims Court action for the full refund plus costs -- which will include the filing fee, legal consultation, and a lawn-mowing service until this is resolved.)

As for removing the blades, the center nut should be tight. You just have to budge it, after which it undoes normally. Get a quality closed-end wrench (a socket can be trickier). Put it on the nut solidly and sharply whack the side of the wrench end with a hefty hammer to break the friction. When you get onto the technique you might not even have to clamp the blade.

Let us know.





....

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highest mowing position still too low

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
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2011-05-29          178677

There is a mower shop right here in Bellbrook. I plan on taking the mower to them so they can switch the blades. If I get the mulcher blades on, I plan on mowing at the highest possible setting, which on this mower means not moving the lever at all! I just don't want grass blowing all over my newly placed mulch (and more importantly, neither does my wife) which looks nice and dark right now!

I measured the height of the blade from the floor of the garage, and it measures 3.5 inches which is an acceptable height for me. I am used to mowing at four inches but could easily make the transition to a lower cut.

Daniel ....

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2011-05-30          178682

Daniel, welcome to the gang!

I don't know if anyone told you wehen you bought the mower, but a lot of the 'quill bolts' (the big bolt that holds the blade on) are a left-hand thread.

That way the rotation of the mower blade (and the load on them) tightens them instead of spinning them free.


Best of luck. ....

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highest mowing position still too low

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
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2011-05-30          178696

According to the user manual, the nuts are regular threads.

Daniel ....

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highest mowing position still too low

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2011-05-31          178713

The bolts for the blades on my Bush Hog brand are right hand threads but then can be bears to break loose, unless you are using an impact wrench. They do tighten with use.

As to throwing grass clippings on the mulch, if possible keep the chute turned away from the mulch. We use red mulch and know the pain. ....

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
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2011-05-31          178736

Used a huge Craftsman breaker bar and the 15/16 socket to get the blades off. To my amazement, the mulcher kit made for my LXT 1040 does not fit without alteration. The blades are at least 3/8 of an inch too long. I used a chop saw to cut the extra off.

One would think that Home Depot would look at the original blades and make sure the replacements were the same size!

Oh, well. Next job is to seal up the mulcher cover so it doesn't leak grass all over the place.

Daniel ....

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yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
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2011-06-01          178744

There is a lift arm link between the mowerdeck connection and the actual arm that does the raising. On one side, several holes are provided to pin and lock with a hair pin clip. This will allow you to adjust lift height slightly. On the opposite side is a link with an elongated slot and threaded connection. That allows you to match the height and also adjust for leveling.

Cadets use right hand threads for mower blade attachment. Placing a short 2 x 4 piece between the end of the mower blade and the deck lip will jam the connection together allowing you to wrench off the nut. Always lube the thread with a generous amount of oil. (used motor oil is good).

Some deck assemblies use different size (length) of blades which usually is a set of 3 blades. As an example the outside ones may be longer than the inner blade. As the blades wear from use and re-sharpening, you may lose some of the blade overlap which is noticeable when doing sharp turns.

Decks set-up to also be used for mulching usually have a higher deck height. This allows the cut grass to tumble inside and get re-cut several times before discharging making for smaller clippings. Decks not already designed for use with mulching blades generally do not give good results. Sharp mulching blades and mowing often at the desired height is essential for that type of operation. ....

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
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2011-06-01          178752

My 42" has two blades that sit at a perpendicular angle from each other. They pass over the same spot in the center of the deck which is somewhat staggered, that is to say, the right side sits slighlty forward of the left side.

I am thinking of tinkering with the bar you talked about. I am also going to place the antiscalping wheels in the lower holes. Right now they are adjusted all the way to the top. That may be part of my scalping problem on the uneven ground.

All in all, I am happy about the way the new blades mulch. My grass is incredibly thick and healthy; my Toro pusher would leave wind rows of grass on the right side when the grass was too high.

Thanks for the imput about the pins. I'll try that before I mow the next time.

Daniel ....

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highest mowing position still too low

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daniel2229
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7 Bellbrook, OH
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2011-06-02          178767

Good news from Home Depot. Just got off the phone with Customer Care, and they are sending me a $50 gift card for all the frustration I have gone through with the mulcher attachment supposedly made for my mower.

Well, that is better than nothing.

Daniel ....

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auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2011-06-02          178772

"The blades are at least 3/8 of an inch too long. I used a chop saw to cut the extra off."

Good for you. But I hope you balanced them after.

....

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