How to Adjust the Mower Deck on a M72 Tank Cub Cadet

Move the M72 Tank Cub Cadet mower onto a flat, concrete area. Set the parking brake to "On." Shut off the engine and take the key out of the ignition. Disconnect the wires connected to the spark plugs. Slide the transport lever, near the seat, forward to move the mower deck into cutting position.

Measure the distance from the concrete to the bottom edge of the mowing blades on the front and back ends, on both sides of the mower (four total measurements). Note the distance on the paper.

Adjust the mowing deck if the front end isn't 1/8 to ¼ of an inch lower than the back end. Loosen the inner rear nut on the deck lift spring assist with the wrench until it's finger tight. The spring assists are located on either side of the mower deck, just in front of the seat, and the inner rear nut is located at the inner rear of the spring. Move the outer rear nut on the deck lift spring assist clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the mower deck.

Repeat this same step on the opposite side of the mower. Re-tighten the bolts once the deck is properly adjusted to the required height. Adjust the deck links, unscrewing the top inner bolt on the deck link with the wrench until it's finger tight. The deck links sit just inside the spring assists and link the mower deck to the mower.

Adjust the side of the deck up or down, turning the top outer bolt clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the sides slightly. Adjust the rear and front deck links until the correct height is achieved. Tighten the bolts once the desired height is achieved.

Raise the mower deck back up, lifting up the transport lever. Lower the cutting deck with the transport lever back into the cutting position and recheck the measurements of the deck height, as was done previously. Repeat the deck adjustment steps until the front of the deck sits 1/8 to ¼ of an inch lower than the rear on both sides.