Craftsman is a very reputed name for lawn care equipment. But it does not mean that you will never face any problem with it. Every machine and vehicle runs into problems after some time which is natural. And Cub Cadet mower is not an exception. As the most used and significant part of a mower is its deck, so it is very common to have deck problems. You might be here because you are having deck problems right now.
Whether you are thinking of buying a new Cub Cadet lawn mower or currently using a Cub Cadet lawn mower, you should be aware of the common problems and act accordingly.
Common Craftsman Mower Deck Problems
- Streaking
- Stringers
- Uneven Cuts
- Leaving Marks After Mowing
- Step Cuts
- Scalping
Deck problems should be handled with caution. If you are a beginner with no experience, then you should seek help from an expert to help you to replace the mower blades when necessary. However, not every problem requires deck blade replacement. You should know the solutions according to the problems. So, the common problems of Craftsman mower deck and their solutions are given below:
1. Streaking
If you see thin strips of grass left after you finish mowing that means you have a streaking problem in your mower deck. Streaking can happen for a lot of reasons but it mostly happens when the lawn mower deck blades are not sharp enough or you are mowing on uneven terrain. A clogged deck and not overlapping can also be the culprit of streaking.
Solution
As there can be a lot of things to blame for scalping your lawn, you need to troubleshoot first and find out the main problem which is causing streaking. If it is because of dull blades, then you should sharpen your lawn mower blades with a good lawn mower sharpener. If you are mowing uneven terrain then you should use an electric mower. That will save you from streaking in uneven terrain, and finally do not forget to overlap before completely finishing mowing. And do not forget to clean your mower if clogged with grass.
2. Stringers
If you find some grasses are left behind here and there after your mowing work then you know you are experiencing a stringers problem with your mower deck. It might be caused because of wrong operation by the user or dull blades or unused deck blades.
To avoid stringers you need to maintain and troubleshoot your lawn regularly to check for mower deck problems and solve them. Besides that, reading the instructions on how to use the Craftsman Lawn mower can also give you the correct instructions on how to use your mower which will prevent stringers. Finally do not mow with damaged and dull blades.
3. Uneven Cuts
The uneven cut is the most common but serious problem a mower deck can have. This problem leaves your lawn looking ugly and dirty as the grass is not cut to an even height. It also exposes the roots. This mostly occurs if your mower blades are worn or if the mower blades are not properly adjusted. It also happens if your cutting speed is set too low.
To solve the scalping problem of your Craftsman lawn mower deck all you have to do is to set the deck cutting height correctly. And check if the deck adjustments are right. You should check the pressure and speed too and set them to your preference to avoid scalping problems.
4. Leaving Marks After Mowing
You might notice marks left behind on your lawn after you finish mowing. This mostly happens when you forget to overlap your lawn after mowing. This can also be a result of tight turns taken by the user.
When you experience unwanted marks on your lawn, you should always remember to overlap your lawn properly. Also, make wide turns with your mower when you mow instead of making small tight turns.
5. Step Cuts
The lawn is left with sharp bumps when step cutting is performed. Step cutting is typically caused by a faulty mower deck, insufficient adjustment, or worn out blades. It is also caused if you leave your mowing work half done and try to pick it up after some days. This makes the lawn look inconsistent and unpleasant. Also, if your lawn has too many rocks or pebbles it can cause step cuts.
To solve the step cutting problems you need to complete your mowing tasks in one day. This will make you remember where you left and you can start from there again. Try to mow on a plain lawn. If there are pebbles and rocks on your lawn, you should get rid of them first and then mow.
6. Scalping
You may be cutting your lawn grass so short that you are experiencing scalping. Grass will struggle to survive and stay healthy if you shave your lawn mistakenly by scalping. This does not always look good. It may be necessary to scalp some farm work and some fields, but if you mow your lawn to make your backyard look good, then that is not the proper thing to do.
You need to set your mowing deck blades right if you want to stop scalping. A cool-season grass blade should measure at least one inch in length, while a warm-season grass blade should measure 2.5 inches in length. Also, make sure your blades are sharp before you mow. This prevents scalping as well.
Related Contents:
- 5 Common Cub Cadet Mower Deck Problems and Solution
- Common Bad Boy Mower Deck Problems And Solutions
Final Words
It is not our intention to discourage you from purchasing Craftsman lawn mowers due to the mower deck problems mentioned above. Craftsman is a very reputable lawn mower brand and will provide great service.
The Craftsman lawn mower’s deck, however, might cause the above issues. But even though your Craftsman lawn mower deck has some problems after using it for some, you can take action to solve the problems according to the given solutions.
