Abstract: A mower deck level gauge and procedure are provided to level and align a mower deck suspended from a vehicle and covering at least one rotary cutting blade. The mower deck has a deck height adjustment control indicating the cutting height, and the rim of the mower deck has deck level measuring points marked thereon, and a bracket at the front of the mower deck having a deck level measuring point marked thereon. A one-piece gauge is dimensioned to fit under each deck level measuring point at a specified cutting height.

Abstract: An air intake for a lawn and garden tractor has an opening with a screen covering the opening. A float panel is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the outer surface of the screen. The full surface area of the screen is available to pull in air, while limiting engine noise entering the environment and minimizing ingestion of excess grass and other debris.