You could add some weight to the left side, but it shouldn't be YOUR problem. My experience is, that decks are typically heavy on the right side. However, some manufacturers overcome this, but it doesn't sound like JD has. Try it without the bagger.

can you try a mulching kit on the deck without the powerflow ?

The only reasonable causes I can think of is the lift assist spring is probably still set to a 54" deck which might cause an undue tension on the leveling brackets or something is bent.

My advice is to take the dealer's offer of a full refund before they change their mind and buy a tractor with that deck already factory installed. Something is wrong or went wrong installing that deck on your tractor. Stop fooling around with it. There are thousands of JD tractors out there with power-flow baggers that are used on lawns with slopes (that's what gauge wheels and rollers are for) that do not cut into or scalp the grass.

I thought of one other thing: I cut my lawn at 3 inches and to me, this is fairly high. In other words, there's a nice carpet left behind and I can confirm that when measured after a cut, the grass -is- actually about 3 inches tall. My point is: are you sure your blades are actully 3 inches above the ground or another level surface? (like a driveway). Maybe the indicator is wrong on your tractor. On my tractor, with the deck set a 3 inches it's almost impossible to scalp the lawn anywhere, even on the slopes I have. When I crest a sharp slope in a few spots, the gauge wheels will contact the ground and lift the deck to prevent scalping the lawn. Just a thought....

Ah! I just re-read your post and see you are mowing across the slope. Hate to say this but I have the same problem when I do this in my yard. I cut across one of the slopes I have (I know I'm not supposed to do this) and the downhill side of the deck cuts/is always much shorter (un-even cut) than the uphill side and it does come very close to scalping. Interestingly, the effect is worse at the bottom of the hill, where the slope is more gentle that at the top where it's steeper. On the other slopes where I go up and down, the cut is even. I don't think there would be anyway to adjust the deck to avoid this effect.

Thanks for all of the responses!

I do need to try it without the bagger for a test cut. Ultimately, I need a bagger for my lawn since a mulcher or side discharge is not a good option for my lawn.

I'm not sure what a "lift assist spring" might be. The JD X540 has a hydraulic lift mechanism. Of course, if the X300 tractor that contributed the "donor deck" did not have hydraulic lift, that could certainly mean a compatibility issue the the hanger hardware.

Williston, I think you have a good point too. I foolishly trusted the "3 inch" reading on the deck lowering indicator so I should perform an actual measurement.

rodgers330,

I have a GX345 (similar to your 540) with the 48C deck. You have to check not only side to side level, but make sure front to back is correct. With the power flo, the right side will dip, so make sure the front hangers are nice and tight.

-gh

If you have a powerflow, you drop the right rear gage wheel to the ground to support the blower. DO NOT lower the front right, or it will gouge in turns. Yes, the RH rear will be in contact with ground at all times, and that's normal. But, if you are on a slope it's very hard to keep any deck level, especially with a powerflow. Try mowing with the powerflow uphill.

I just looked over your post with the pictures on the other tractor forum and I can't believe it! That scalping is unbelieveable. I mentioned I get a little of this with my tractor when I mow across my slope, but it's nothing even close to that!! I get a little bit that's barely noticeable and in a day or two you hardly see it. Then there's the pictures of the belts rubbing the paint off the deck and cutting into the plastic guards??!! It looks like this unit may have been dropped and everything is now completely out of whack. If things are so far off that belts are rubbing and cutting into things, it will never be right. I don't see how they will ever be able to adjust that out! Get your money back and get another x500. This is a top of the line $9,000 tractor. It should be 99.9% perfect out of the crate.

I scoured around and found the referenced pictures .. below >>>

I'd take it back in a heartbeat! I don't know, that I would have made more than about one pass, with the mower doing a job like that.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures

Well, the dealer just made my decision easy. Here's part of the text from his lastest email message based on my request to order a new deck for the X540 and experiment with the PowerFlow head on my property:

"I will check the lift system myself. As for the decks, if you are not willing to take my word that they are the same, call another JD dealers and ask them. The model number for the rotatable deck wheels is a SKU21895 on a 48" deck for the X300 and X500 series. I am not willing to order another one on the X540 to prove that."

I'll take him up on his offer to keep the tractor and credit my account. Tomorrow I'll use my ancient Cub Cadet to cut the grass.

Here's a couple of photos of the grass.
[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2490674850094734041PJkEGc][IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/52/452/6/74/85/2490674850094734041PJkEGc_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2390365870094734041eRvnhT][IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/52/452/3/65/87/2390365870094734041eRvnhT_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Again, I certainly appreciate everyone's input and advice.

Good choice.

Now you have to decide if you want to try another one with the same setup or change colors...

Have you sent the pictures to the dealer? I think, the pictures present a very good argument, that there is something drastically wrong with this set-up. There is no good reason that the belts should be rubbing and cutting in. Also, I wouldn't hesitate to send them to the JD factory.

Absolutely let him see these pictures. He sounds huffy, though I'm sure of the context and your relationship with him. Clearly its all wrong and when you show him, he will understand.

Leveling the deck is not an exact science (unfortunately), I had to dick around with mine to get it just right when delivered. Usually the deck is installed, then they put the powerflo on and sometimes they don't re-adjust the thing. I always found this bush league. I guess it depends on how busy the shop is and where the good techs are when yours is prep'd. NO EXCUSES though...

-gh

I don't think, "deck leveling" even enters into this problem. No matter how it was leveled, the belts shouldn't be biting in to other things.

Yes, I had emailed him several photos but it didn't motivate him to take any specific action other than cut grass at the dealersheip and offer me a refund. Since the terrain and grass at the dealership is completely different than my property, I don't consider that a valid test. I wish he had agreed to test everything on my property but it's a moot point now.

Well, it's a new day and everything seems better. It rained most of the day so the grass is growing back! I decided to call a couple of other dealers and discovered that I can get a factory new unit for about the same price. My Chief Financial Officer (wife) correctly pointed out that the logic for purchasing a new X540 rather than nursing along the old Cubby was still valid so I'll probably take the plunge (again) next week. We'll see. I just can't believe I'm the only person in the world who has difficulty mowing with a X540 on a slope- especially when the word "multi-terrain" is printed on the hood.

Once again, I certainly appreciate all of the great advice and support!