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Faint “mohawks,” ragged patches, thin streaks—those uneven lawn mower cuts don’t mean your mower is done. They usually trace back to setup and conditions you can correct in minutes.
Before you replace parts, run through this checklist to level lawn mower deck settings, sharpen blades, and cut on the right schedule.
What causes streaks and uneven cuts
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick fix |
| Mohawks / uncut lines | Unequal tire pressure | Set all tires to spec before any deck adjustment. |
| Waves across the yard | Deck not level side‑to‑side | Match blade‑tip height left/right with a ruler or deck gauge. |
| Streaks between blades | Wrong deck pitch or clogged baffles | Set pitch correctly; clean underside and baffles. |
| Ragged, shredded tips | Dull/bent blade or wrong orientation | Sharpen/replace; balance; confirm “bottom” faces down. |
| Thrown belt / poor lift | Packed deck or worn belt/pulleys | Scrape the deck; inspect/replace cracked or glazed belts. |
| Lines on bumps/turns | Anti‑scalp rollers riding ground | Raise rollers to hover just above turf at cut height. |
| Tear‑outs and rutting | Mowing wet or too fast | Mow dry; full throttle on blades; slow ground speed. |
| Random missed strips | No overlap / turning technique | Overlap 2–4 in. and vary patterns weekly. |
| Bogging in tall grass | Blade type mismatch | Use high‑lift for bagging/tall grass; mulch when cutting often. |
Always confirm specs in your owner’s manual—models vary.
How to level lawn mower deck (side‑to‑side & pitch)
- Set tire pressure to spec. You can’t level a deck on uneven tires.
- Side‑to‑side level: On a flat surface, rotate outer blades and match tip heights using a ruler or deck gauge.
- Front‑to‑back pitch: Aim the front blade tips 1/8–1/4 inch lower than the rear for clean lift and discharge.
- Anti‑scalp rollers: Adjust so they hover at your normal cutting height.
- Test cut: Mow dry at full throttle; overlap 2–4 inches. Re‑check measurements if patterns persist.
Step‑by‑step: fix uneven results today (30–60 minutes)
- Sharpen or replace blades; balance before reinstalling.
- Clean the deck underside and discharge; clear baffles and chute.
- Inspect belts and pulleys; replace anything cracked, glazed, or slipping.
- Verify deck level & pitch; fine‑tune in 1/8‑inch moves.
Technique that keeps the cut even
- Mow only when leaves are dry; mid‑morning or late afternoon windows work best in Minnesota.
- Full throttle on the blades, slower ground speed in lush growth so blades can lift and cut cleanly.
- Overlap each pass 2–4 inches; switch patterns weekly to reduce ruts and missed strips.
- Follow the one‑third rule; raise the deck in summer and double‑cut rather than scalping.
- Touch up the blade every 20–25 hours and check tire pressure monthly.
Blade selection basics
High‑lift blades create stronger airflow for tall, dense grass and bagging. Mulching blades recirculate clippings for a fine finish when you mow more often. Whatever you choose, keep blades sharp and balanced to reduce vibration and protect spindles.
Stripping vs. striping (quick note)
Those crisp light‑and‑dark lawn patterns you see on ballfields are intentional striping from bending grass with a roller. Streaks, stringers, and mohawks are uncut or poorly cut grass left behind.
This article is about eliminating streaks; if you want stripes, add a roller and mow in straight, consistent passes on dry turf with a slight overlap.
We’re here to help
Deck still won’t hold level, vibration won’t quit after a blade swap, or you suspect a bent spindle? Bring it by and we’ll set it straight.
Schedule In‑Shop Service, order genuine parts, or explore new lawn mowers. Ready to chat? Find a location near you.
FAQs: uneven lawn mower cuts
Why am I seeing uneven lawn mower cuts after sharpening?
The blade may be unbalanced or installed upside‑down, the deck may be out of level, or tire pressures might be off.
What deck pitch works best?
A slight front‑lower pitch (1/8–1/4 in.) helps lift and discharge. Check your manual for model‑specific specs.
How often should I level a deck?
Inspect a few times each season, and anytime you hit something or see patterns.
Do anti‑scalp rollers touch the ground?
No—set them to hover just above turf at your cutting height.
Can mowing wet grass cause streaks?
Yes. Wet leaves bend instead of standing up, so blades miss or tear grass and clippings pack the deck.
