How to Level and Pitch the Mower Deck for an Ariens Apex
The following instructions are for the Ariens Apex, which are for the Apex 48 #991153, and Apex 52 #991155 mower models. Before attempting to work on/with your equipment in any way, always refer to your owner’s manual for safety information.
Check the Blade Level and Pitch
- Raise the deck to 3 1/2″ (8.9 cm) cutting height.
- Stop the engine, remove the key and wait for the moving parts to stop and for hot parts to cool.
- Engage the parking brake.
- Position the mower blades so the ends point left to right across the width of the deck.
- Measure the distance between the ground and the cutting edge of the left and right blades. If the measurements are not within 4.7 mm (3/16″) of each other, level the deck.
- Position the mower blades so the ends point front to back and measure the following.
- At the front of the deck, measure the distance between the ground and the cutting edge of the middle blade.
- At the rear of the deck, measure the distance between the ground and the cutting edge of the left and the right blades.
- If the front measurement is not 3.2 mm (1/8″) lower than the rear measurements, adjust the blade pitch.
Level the Mower Deck
- Lower the high side of the deck.
- Loosen the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
- Turn the adjustment bolts counterclockwise.
- Measure the distance between the ground and cutting edges of the left and right blades. Continue to adjust if necessary.
- Tighten the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
- Raise the low side of the deck.
- Loosen the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
- Turn the adjustment bolts clockwise.
- Measure the distance between the ground and the cutting edges of the left and right blades. Continue the adjustment if necessary.
- Tighten the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
Adjust the Blade Pitch
- Important: Side-to-side deck heights MUST remain leveled even after completing the pitch adjustment.
- Important: Pitching the front blades lower than the rear provides a balance between cut quality and the power needed to cut grass. Certain cutting conditions require the deck rear to be pitched lower than the front. Positioning the deck this way requires more engine power but can provide better cut quality.
- Increase the forward pitch.
- Loosen the jam nuts against all deck-leveling links.
- Turn the front adjustment bolts counterclockwise to lower the deck front.
- Turn the rear adjustment bolts clockwise to raise the deck rear.
- Check the adjustment.
- Tighten the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
- Decrease the forward pitch.
- Loosen the jam nuts against all deck-leveling links.
- Turn the front adjustment bolts clockwise to raise the deck front.
- Turn the rear adjustment bolts counterclockwise to lower the deck rear.
- Check the adjustment.
- Tighten the jam nuts against the deck-leveling links.
For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.
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