Service Manual
4 - 12 Service Dealer’s Guide to Great Quality of Cut
Checking and Adjusting the Blade Level
5. Using a 1-inch wrench or socket, slowly rotate the 
left side adjusting nut down to raise the front of the 
mower and up to lower it. 
6. Slowly rotate the right side adjusting nut until both 
nuts are in the same position.
Note: If the adjusting nut does not stay in position, 
tighten the center bolt and locknut and repeat 
steps 4 and 5. 
7. If the 1/4 to 5/8 inch (6-16mm) pitch cannot be 
achieved by rotating the adjusting nuts, move the 
mower pivot mount at the front of the mower 
housing (Figure 42).
Note: Some models only have one pair of holes to 
select from. If the model you are working on only 
has one hole and the front-to-rear pitch is still out 
of specification, go back to the basics. Check the 
tire pressure and inspect for a worn or damaged 
chassis or suspension component. 
Figure 42
XL32pit4.TIF
8. Remove the shoulder bolts and lock nuts from the 
mower. Installing the bolts in a higher hole will 
lower the blade and using a lower hole will raise it. 
9. Repeat the front-to-rear adjustment steps 3-7. 
10. Once the front-to-rear pitch is within specification, 
recheck the side-to-side adjustment (see 
“Adjusting Side-to-Side Level—All Cutting Units” 
on page 4-10).
11. Once the front-to-rear pitch and side-to-side level 
are within specification, continue by checking and 
adjusting the blade tracking (see “Adjusting Blade 
Tracking” on page 4-14).
38-inch (96.5cm) Cutting Unit
The blade pitch for a 38-inch (96.5cm) mower is correct 
when the blade in front is 1/8-3/8 inch (3.5-10.5mm) 
lower in front than in the rear. If adjustment is 
necessary proceed as follows.
1. Verify that the mower is level side to side. If not 
adjust that first. 
2. Measure the length of the rod extending out the 
front of the adjusting block on the sides of the 
chassis (Figure 43). If the rod length is not
5/8 inch (16mm), remove the hairpin cotter and 
washer from the end of the rod and turn the rod 
until the 5/8 inch (16mm) dimension is obtained. 
Then install the end of the rod into the hole in the 
mower mount and secure it in place with the 
washer and hairpin cotter. Repeat this procedure 
on the other side.
Figure 43
XL38pit1.TIF
3. Recheck the front-to-rear pitch. If it is not within 
specification, proceed to step 4.
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