I would think a JD dealership could look up that info for you free of charge.

You can find a manual for that on eBay also.

On my Deere LX176, you put the deck to 2.5" high, and then with either a tape measure or a John Deere deck leveler (about $7.95) You adjust the nuts on the adjuster such that with the blade longitudinal with the tractor, the front is at about 2.5" and the rear is at 2.75". Then you put the blades perpendicular to the tractor and make sure that side to side, they're pretty close or the same.

Oh, and make sure the tires are inflated to spec first.

Evworld, I have an official Deere technical manual, and I cannot find any instructions for leveling the deck! I'll keep looking. In the meantime, here are a few things to check:

Make sure the tires are properly inflated; front tires should have 12 lbs, rear tires 8 lbs.

Make sure that neither blades nor spindles are bent. Between the two blades, tips that vary up to 1/4 inch are within tolerance.

Check that the gauge wheels are set at the same height; they should NOT contact the ground when you are running on flat, smooth ground.

I'll look in the manual some more, but I have two STX-38's (several years) and have never had a problem with the decks getting out-of-level, except when tire pressure isn't equal.

Sometimes new folks on the forum can't find their way back, so I'll assume that you asked that responses be emailed to you, and include the web address: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tractor/msg0507384229168.html?1

Thanks for the responses. My tractor does not have any anti scalp rollers on the deck. I adjusted the deck by placing pieces of 2x4 under it and tried to get it level from right to left and made the front of the deck a little lower than the back. With the 2x4 under it I placed the Leveling handle in the middle position below the seat. The reason I adjusted the deck was not because It was cutting bad. The mower in the high position was cutting my grass to low. The deck is on the roller things that hold the deck up. When I put the deck on the lowest position it as laying on the ground. The way that I have it adjusted now it that it off the ground a little in the shortest position. I hope this is right. The dealer by me charges 150 bucks to service the mower and I really don't have that much money to spend at this time.

Ed, I got your email, but can't respond directly to you because you're not signed up with GardenWeb to permit direct emails. Send me an email with your address, and I'll contact you with the additional info you want. There are no unusual problems with STXs; routine maintenance will keep 'em running for a long time.

Javert,

I sent you my email address. I also updated my profile to receive emails. Thanks for your help.

I recently purchased a Sabre riding mower with a double bagger. My question is why is it not picking up the grass clippings and constantly getting clogged?

I recently bought a used STX 38 with a yellow deck and no other info. The Brake doesn't seem to work and it leaves a single high spot line in the lawn after cutting. I filled the tires when I got it, so I think I'm OK there. Any thoughts on both issues would really help me out, as money is tight since my lay off.

I HAVE A STX 38 MOWER AND THE LIFT ONLY RAISES THE BACK OF THE MOWER . WHERE CAN I GET A DIAGRAM OF THE LIFT PARTS TO FIX MY DECK?