[jkd]

I have an older (approx. 10 years old) 46" cut craftsman riding tractor-20 HP Briggs.
It wasn't cutting well, leaving sprigs everywhere. I bought new belts and blades-this did not help. Bought new clutch-this did not help.
Took it to a repair shop, they put new spark plug in, adjusted carb, and thay said that a push rod had 'came off'.
I thought it was OK, but I tried to cut my brother's grass the other day - it was a little high, but nothing my previous 42" Craftman tractor had a problem with. I had to barely move, or it left sprigs everywhere.
Can anyone tell me what I could check?
Thanks

 

[dragline]

Make sure the arbors are all turning as fast as they should. Deck should make a turbine like sound. Have someone watch as you engage the deck and see if any arbor turns slower than another. If your deck is clean make sure the blades are not on upside down. Sharpened edge up as I am sure you know but I have put them on wrong more than once when in a hurry myself. If you have the correct belt laced properly and the arbors all turn as they should and the blades are on right and tight it will cut if engine rpm is correct. 32-3600rpm. Also you might check all arbor pulleys for tightness. Not much more it could be. Good luck. Cant imagine a shop doing what they did to correct uneven cutting.