A mower deck that’s too low on one side or set at the wrong pitch can cause uneven cuts, scalping, or missed patches. To help you get the perfect cut every time, this guide provides a Mower Deck Leveling Chart covering common brands and models, along with the ideal front-to-rear and side-to-side leveling measurements.
Mower Deck Leveling Chart
John Deere
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range X300, X500, X700 Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ ZTrak (Z300–Z900 Series) 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ 100 Series 42″–48″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1″–4″
Cub Cadet
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range XT1/XT2 Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″ Ultima ZT1/ZT2 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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Husqvarna
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range YTH and TS Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ Z200/Z400 Series 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Craftsman
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range T Series / LT2000 / GT6000 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ ZTS / Pro Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″
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Toro
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range TimeCutter / Titan / Z Master 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″ Recycler / Super Recycler 21″–30″ ±1/16 inch Slight front lower 1″–4″
Ariens
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range IKON / Apex Zero Turn 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–4.5″ Edge / Zoom Series 34″–52″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
Troy-Bilt
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Pony / Bronco / Super Bronco 42″–50″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.25″–3.75″ Mustang Z Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
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Scag
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Liberty Z / Tiger Cat / Turf Tiger 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ Cheetah / Patriot 48″–61″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″
Ferris
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range ISX / 500S / 700Z / 2100Z 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ SRS Z Series 36″–61″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Bad Boy
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range MZ / Maverick / Outlaw Series 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ ZT Elite / Rogue 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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Gravely
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range ZT / Pro-Turn Series 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ Pro-Stance / ZT HD 36″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Snapper
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range RER / NXT / Z Series 30″–52″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″ Pro S Series 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″
Simplicity
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Regent / Broadmoor / Legacy XL 38″–61″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″ Citation / Cobalt 48″–61″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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Walker
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range T / C / B Series 42″–56″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.25″–4″ Super B / MT Series 42″–56″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.25″–4″
Exmark
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Quest / Radius / Lazer Z 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ Pioneer / Vertex 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Spartan
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range RZ / RT / SRT Series 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ KGZ-XD / Pro Z 54″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″
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MTD
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Yard Machines / Yard-Man 38″–46″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″ lower 1.25″–3.5″ Bolens / White Outdoor 38″–50″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.25″–3.75″
Honda
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range HRX / HRC Series 21″ Walk-behind ±1/16 inch Level to slightly lower front 1″–4″ HRN / HRS Series 21″ Walk-behind ±1/16 inch Slight front lower 1″–3.5″
Bobcat
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range ZT / XRZ / ZT6000 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ Predator Pro / Classic 52″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″
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Dixie Chopper
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Silver Eagle / Classic / XCaliber 44″–74″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ Zee / BlackHawk 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Jacobsen
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range HR / Turfcat Series 61″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ Eclipse / Greens King 22″–36″ ±1/16 inch Level to slightly lower front 0.5″–3″
Grasshopper
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range 100V / 300 / 700 Series 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–5″ FrontMount / MidMount 41″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.25″–5″
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Country Clipper
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Boulevard / Charger / Challenger 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.25″–5″ Jazee / Edge XLT 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Mean Green Mowers
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Evo / Rival / CXR 48″–74″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–5″ Vanquish / Stalker 52″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″
Altoz
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range TRX / XC / XP Series 54″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ TSX / RX Series 50″–66″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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Wright
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Stander / ZK / Sentar Series 36″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–5″ Velke / Sport X 32″–52″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4.5″
Hustler
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Raptor / Fastrak / Super Z Series 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ Dash / Surge 34″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Swisher
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Response / Big Mow Series 60″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ ZTR / TrailMower 44″–66″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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DeWalt
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range X548 / X554 / Z2600 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4.5″ DCMW / Z148 Series 21″–48″ ±1/16 inch Slight front lower 1″–3.5″
EGO Power+
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Z6 / LM Series 21″–52″ ±1/16 inch Slight front lower 1″–4″ ZT4200 / Select Cut 42″–52″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Ryobi
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range RY48ZTR / RYRM8034 / RY401150 38″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″ RY48140 / Zero Turn 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
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Greenworks
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Pro / Commercial Series 21″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1″–4.5″ Optimus / Crossover Series 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Stanley Black & Decker
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Battery Mowers 21″–48″ ±1/8 inch Front slightly lower 1″–3.5″ ZT / Electric Series 42″–48″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.25″–4″
Kubota
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range BX / GR Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/8″–1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ Z100 / Z400 Series 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
New Holland
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range T1500 / Boomer Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ Workmaster / Rustler 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
Mahindra
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range XTV / Retriever Series 54″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–4.5″ Max / Prestige Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
Kioti
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range CK / DK Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″ ZXR / ZXC Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Bush Hog
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range ZT / TC Series 48″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ Estate / HDE Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
BigDog
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Diablo / Alpha MP Series 44″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″ Stout / Rex Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
RedMax
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range CZT / RZT Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″ YT / CZ Series 42″–54″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4″
Worldlawn
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range Diamond / Cobra Series 48″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″–3/8″ lower 1.5″–5″ Viper / Python Series 44″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
Stihl
Model Deck Size (inches) Side-to-Side Level Front-to-Rear Pitch Recommended Cutting Height Range RZ / Spartan Series 42″–72″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–5″ RT / Zero-Turn Series 42″–60″ ±1/8 inch Front 1/4″ lower 1.5″–4.5″
How to Level a Mower Deck
Follow these general steps to level your mower deck:
Park on a Flat Surface – Place the mower on a level driveway or garage floor and engage the parking brake.Check Tire Pressure – Uneven tire pressure can throw off measurements. Inflate all tires to the recommended PSI.Set the Deck to Mid-Height – Adjust the height lever to the middle cutting position.Measure Side-to-Side – Using a ruler or deck gauge, measure from the blade tip (outer edge) to the ground on both sides. Adjust using lift linkages until both sides are within 1/8-inch.Measure Front-to-Rear – Rotate the blade front-to-back and measure the distance to the ground. The front should be 1/8 to 1/4 inch lower than the rear. Adjust as necessary using the front deck lift rod.Recheck After Adjustment – Always recheck both measurements after adjustments for accuracy.
Signs Your Mower Deck Is Not Level
Uneven or streaky cuts
Scalping on one side of the lawn
Grass remains uncut on one edge.
Excessive vibration or noise
Blade marks show inconsistent height.
If you notice these symptoms, inspect and adjust your mower deck immediately.
Maintenance Tips for Better Deck Performance
Clean the underside of the deck regularly to prevent buildup.
Sharpen mower blades every 25–30 hours of use.
Grease deck lift and spindle points as recommended by your manual.
Check deck belt tension and replace if worn or cracked.
Keep tire pressure even across all wheels.
FAQs
What is the proper mower deck level? Most mower decks should be level side-to-side and have the front edge about 1/8 to 1/4 inch lower than the rear.
Should a mower deck be perfectly level? No, the front should be slightly lower (by about 1/4 inch) to improve airflow and cutting efficiency.
Why is my mower cutting uneven? Uneven tire pressure, bent blades, or an unlevel deck are common causes of uneven cutting.
How often should I check my mower deck level? It’s best to check at the start of every mowing season and after hitting any hard object.
Can I mow if the deck is unlevel? You can, but you’ll likely get uneven results and stress the blades and spindles.
