JD 318 50" Mower Adjustements

SETUP
1. At rear of tractor, turn out the depth stop screw fully.
2. Raise the deck wheels fully.
3. Turn tractor "on" and raise deck all the way, then lower it to about 1/2 way to fully down.
4. Park on flat level surface.
5. Turn tractor "off".
6. Set tire pressure - front @14 psi / rear @10 psi

LEVEL SIDE TO SIDE
1. Turn one outer blade sideways so it points left to right.
2. Measure at the outer blade tip from the ground to the blade and record the measurement.
3. Repeat for the other outerblade, recording the same measurement.
4. Compare the two measurements. If both are the same, side to side level is fine. If not:
5. At the right lift link, loosen the nut above the yoke and below the bracket.
6. Turn the top nut above the bracket to raise or lower the right side to match the measurements.
7. Double check the measurements again. If O.K. tighten the nut above the yoke and below the bracket.

LEVEL FRONT TO REAR
1. Turn the right blade so it points straight forward.
2. Measure from the ground to the front blade tip.
3. Measure from the ground to the rear blade tip.
4. Compare the measurements. The rear blade tip measurement should be 1/4" more than the front blade tip measurement. If so, front to rear level is fine. If not:
5. Loosen the nut closest to the yoke on both front draft arms. The draft arms come off the mule drive and attach to the front of the mower deck with "J" pins.
6. Turn the nuts on the opposite side of the bracket, away from the mower. This adjustment will affect the length of each draft arm, raising or lowering the front of the deck. Longer lowers the front, shorter raises the front.
7. Tighten the two nuts closest to the yokes.

SET DECK HEIGHT
1. Start the engine and raise the deck fully.
2. Turn tractor "off".
3. Position mower height at desired level.
4. Turn the depth stop screw in until it stops and is fairly snug.

SET GAGE WHEELS
1. Lower mower deck.
2. Set gage wheels (deck wheels) so each wheel clears the ground by 1/4" minimum to 1/2" maximum.

If you don't have the deck raised up slightly in the rear, you will end up with a lousy cut. At least that was my experience with my old 320 and 48" deck.