Common Problems Associated With Craftsman Mower Deck
When it comes time to handle our mowing-related tasks, Craftsman mower deck problems are the last thing that we want to deal with. While there is no reason to avoid purchasing Craftsman products, even the most well-maintained mowers will experience problems as time goes on.
The mower deck is particularly crucial, as it protects both the user and the engine of the mower itself. If it’s not working properly, the user could be in real danger and the mower’s engine may be damaged by the blades. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common problems that are associated with a Craftsman mower deck and how they can be addressed.
Common Problems Associated With Craftsman Mower Deck
If these problems are not handled in a timely manner, the user is placing themselves and their investment in unnecessary danger. This guide is here to help:
Lawn Marks
It should go without saying that no one wants to see unsightly marks on their lawn once the job is done. In these instances, this is usually not a major problem that will take a sizable amount of time or effort to handle. The design of the deck itself is often to blame.
The operator of the mower must remain cognizant of this. If you are making tight turns and not overlapping the cutting row, marks will be left behind. Anyone who is looking to make this problem a thing of the past should install a floatable deck on their Craftsman mower.
Lawn Scalping
This is when the mower touches the ground that crosses the lawn. When this issue crops up, the beauty of the lawn is spoiled entirely. The grass is removed from the ground in an inconsistent manner. The ground will come in at the top in certain instances and when the mower touches the ground?
Uneven cutting becomes a much bigger issue. The height of the deck is the main culprit in these cases. Perhaps it was not adjusted in the proper manner or maybe it continued to move after the adjustment took place.
In any instance, this is the operator’s cue to adjust the height once more. Take the time to tightly fix it and the scalping issues should dissipate. The deck may also not be properly leveled, which bears noting. Check that over and be sure to adjust the throttle while mowing. If you are moving the throttle too quickly, you will not have the proper level of control over it.
How much pressure is taking place from the deck to the blade? If the pressure is not even, this can lead to uneven cutting and cause the lawn to take on a scalped appearance. Take the time to adjust pressure and speed before getting started again. Adjust the wheels as well and the problem should be fixed.
Stuttering/Streaking
Those annoying strips of grass that are left uncut? This is known as stuttering or streaking. Fortunately, it is an issue that can be addressed by taking the time to adjust the mower a bit. The deck height must be checked, for starters.
The deck and blade’s suspension and adjustment will go a long way toward determining how effective the mower will be. If either of these components is broken, streaking is far more common. The mower will move in directions that the operator is not choosing for themselves.
The deck height must also be selected or overlapping may not take place when the operator is turning the mower. To avoid this issue, the lawn should be mowed at full throttle. The blade speed should not be sped up as a means of overcompensating. The same goes for anyone who is slowing their ground speed.
Remain consistent and mow your lawn in a parallel shape between the grass and the deck. Those who are able to keep the proper level of consistency are able to remove the streaking problem going forward. Others may wish to do some research on the effectiveness of their blades.
Stepped Cutting
When stepped cutting is taking place, the mower operator will start to notice that there are inconsistent sharp ridges on their lawn. The mower could be experiencing a glitch that causes the level height to change once you have been operating it for a decent stretch of time.
Either way, the lawn is going to look inconsistent and the aesthetic appeal will all be lost. In order to avoid these types of concerns, a leveled cut is always the goal. In order to fix stepped cuts, you will need to take some precautions first.
Check the height of the deck first. If the deck is properly placed, the cut should be even. If there is an irregular gap, this is going to be the reason for your stepped cutting. Adjust the wheel strongly and take the time to check the Craftsman mower deck before starting it.
Is the height and suspension all squared away? If so, the deck shell needs to be checked, as this could be the problem area. The deck and blade must remain normal or stepped cutting is only going to become more of an issue. Is the damage irreparable? This could mean that it is time to replace the deck entirely.
Stringers
A mower operator that has begun to notice irregular patches of grass that are not getting cut will need to check for the common warning signs of stringers. In fact, this issue could be caused by the methods that the mower operator is utilizing.
Lack of blade maintenance may also be to blame. This is one of the easier issues to deal with for a Craftsman mower owner. They will need to make sure that they are maintaining their blades and not allowing them to become overly dull.
These owners and operators must also make sure that they are not contributing to the issue themselves with overly tight turns and other careless mistakes. It is easy to put the blame on the machinery but human error accounts for a wide range of stringers.
Of course, the deck must also be cleaned on a consistent basis. Even if the blades are properly sharpened, the stringers will still be left behind if the deck is not clean. Check the deck over and make sure that it is not clogged with grass before assuming that there are larger problems afoot.
Uneven Cutting
This is a very common problem for Craftsman mower owners, but that does not mean that you have to live with uneven cutting. To get started, you will need to examine the deck thoroughly. Has it been adjusted in the wrong manner? Have damages had a chance to take place?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes, this could be the culprit for the uneven cutting. The deck adjustment issue is an easy one to solve. Make sure that it is leveled correctly and that the proper adjustments have been made. There is no need for any time-consuming repairs and replacements.
The mechanism that controls the deck’s suspension must be checked over, too. If it is broken, this is when a repair will be needed. If the mechanism is not broken and the uneven cuts are still taking place, this could mean that it is time to check it over more thoroughly.
An unclean deck is often the cause of all sorts of uneven cutting-related issues. The deck is not the only component that needs to be examined, though. Are the blades damaged? This is an obvious issue that is not always addressed as quickly as it should be.
Check the tire pressure, too. If it is not even, the cutting will reflect that. Human error can also be to blame here, as the mower is being run too fast or too slow. This is something to remember while you are in the process of cutting the grass.
Final Verdict
While there are some may conclude that these issues are enough of a reason to avoid the Craftsman lawn mower, nothing could be further from the truth. The importance of lawn mower maintenance cannot be understated in these instances. The deck can create several problems, but the vast majority of these maladies are easily addressed by the owner of the mower.
Most of the problems discussed above happen for three simple reasons, all of which are easily handled by the owner. You do not need to be a handyman or mechanical wizard to remain on top of them. The deck will either be damaged, not adjusted properly or not cleaned frequently enough.
Those who are proactive about these concerns will enjoy a much longer lifespan for their mower. On the other hand, those who wait until the last minute will be left with more cumbersome repair and/or replacement issues. By keeping these problems in check on a regular basis, you are to sidestep all of the usual pitfalls that can take place and ensure a long and productive lifespan for your Craftsman mower.
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