I am approaching the end of the 2nd season with my RY48110 mower. I'm generally happy with the mower, except for one big problem. The problem is that the right side of the mower simply does not cut as well as the left. It cuts, but the right half is more bent over and only half cut compared with the left side. As a result, I have to take half cuts so the right side gets cut twice. This is true even when the lawn isn't overgrown and I try to take too heavy of a cut.
I think the problem may be related to the small black plate mounted to the front, right edge of the mower deck. I have several roots in my yard, which I have unfortunately hit. The front of the deck does not appear to be bent, but this caused the blade to come into contact with the blade. On the assumption that the front of the deck bent in and pushed the plate up, I removed the deck to try and bend it back. Unfortunately, the thickness of the mower deck did not allow me to bend it easily. Also, there was no obvious deformation so I didn't know where to bend and how far to go. What I was able to do was bend the black plate that was contacting the blade. On the assumption that the deck and plate had been bent in and up, I bent the plate down below the blade. This stopped the blade from hitting the plate, but it also means the leading edge of the blade is not cutting grass since it is above the plate. This could be why the quality of cut is so poor on the right.
I would like to hear from other owners what the correct relationship of the blade to the plate is supposed to be. If they are supposed to be in the same plane, then the front of my deck has been significantly bent inward and I just don't see it. I may just remove the plate and see what happens. I assume the plate has something to do with airflow. I'm generally mulching so it may not matter much to me.
