I think I would want to know if the problem is unique to my deck, or if all JD 48" decks with the same model number suffer from the same trouble. The only way I know to do this is to look at another deck like it, and if they don't, see what is different, and go from there.

I've had the 54C deck and 42" Freedom mulching deck since I bought them new (6th mowing season now) and haven't had any issues at all. I don't know how the design differs with the 48" deck but the spring clearance to the pulley on my 54C deck is at least an inch. It seems like maybe a defect in the placement of the spring or something? Have you looked at other 48" decks at the dealer to see if they are the same? I don't believe I've ever read of an issue like this before either here or at other forums I visit. I would be a persistent pain in the butt until it was fixed!

I just wish you would post a photo of the problem here on the forum. One good picture would clarify what your problem is, then we could work on a solution.

Hey mownie 7 ,long time no chat , I am a fanatic with maintainance yet it bites me back. Thanks Ill try to get my wife to take a pic , the deck is super noisy...much louder than my 38 , of course I wear ear protection so I move them off my ears to listen to the mower ever so often because of this issue.BY the way you guys are SUPER....

Hey doberman, you're a poet...did you know it? I have the 48C on my JD Z425 and no issues yet. Sounds like maybe something is not set up right on yours.. suspension/hangers?

My wife tells me that , thank you for the compliment, JOHN DEERE is taking back the 48" and replacing with a 54". The deck wasnt right to begin with, and you are probably right something isnt set up right, but shouldnt the techs have seen this? Anyway it is getting solved so im satisfied.

It is disappointing to see these decks fail so early. I don't know if the LA series is of lesser quality, however I am rebuilding a 48" deck with 200 hours on it. First of all there are no fittings on any rotating assemblies and the bearings are seizing, leading to complete spindle failure. Either the spindles are snapping, or the bottom bearing spins out and destroys the housing. The idlers are noisy so I'll replace those at the same time, new blades and a belt. I did replace the bearings in one spindle, the OE bearings are Chinese. This is my fourth deck in a week.

I guess I can say it is a machine anything can happen ,BUT when your forkin hard earned cash out it better perform. My lx ran like a raped ape 16 years .My 48 has fittings and they are greased often ,I try to keep the water off the mower by not washing it often . A good coat of wax and a leaf blower does it.I agree alot of parts from china.It is the bottom line for cost , if I ran a company it probably would be the same . The stockholder rules I guess.

Dobie, congrats on getting Dear John to see things properly.

Mownie I got a little upset with them and the owner was right there , he was cool and colective and that made a huge difference . He offered an alternitive right away I love my power equipment , not more than I love my wife, although pretty close......

Hello this my first time online. I read some of the comments and was interested if anyone has had a problem with the blades hitting after replacing them with new ones on a 48" X534. I mentioned the problem with JD dealer, of course its my problem not theirs. They were good enough to give me a new set of blades but that didn't correct the problem. I had to grind the edges down in order to use the mower. I must mention that the two blades hitting each other were the right and the center. Any help would be appreciated.

You just have to flip that deck over and find out what physically is out of spec. A bent spindle shaft , bent pan or ???

Thanks for your response Tomplum. Since I don't have experience with this type of equipment I am not sure what to look for to determine if it a bent spindle or not. I am almost positive the problem is with the right blade or spindle. I'll take another look at it tomorrow.

Learn to wiggle things on those decks. I bet the same 2buck bearings, if it has any, that are in mine are on that one. I buy them 10 at the time, and replace them liberally. Zerks also. I put grease where no grease has gone before.

jovialks: You said that JD gave you a new set of blades; Did you buy the mower from the dealer, and if so how long ago?

Second question, is the dealer an authorized JD dealer or a big box store?

For years and in different cities, I have dealt exclusively with the authorized dealer and always got good and satisfying responses. I have always found that the parts for my tractor are comparably priced and some time less than if I buy them from the big box store.

If you are not dealing with the authorized dealer, talk to authorized dealer and explain the problem, they will have solution. If you do not have a trailer, the JD dealer have a reasonably priced pick up and service plans that I would use. They may be able to do the work on site. After talking to the JD dealer they may need only the deck to fix the problem which you can transport in most car trunks.

If you have not very familiar with the tractor you could end spending more trying to fix it than letting the JD dealer do it.

If the dealer you are talking about is a big box store, you may be
dealing with a sales person or they may be referring you to a local
repair shop that is acceptable on all brands masters of no brand.