OK first REAL use with it done.

Nice learning curve as I've a bugger of a property to mow and suffice to say it's very different to handle from a 21" utility mower.

QUESTION: I found that the lowest cut height level was barely suitable, don't mind staying at that - BUT the surrounding guard/deck is at this height a tad low i.e I'd like to make the blade's effective height 5mm or so LOWER, so I can cut at perhaps the 2nd lowest level & have same effective cut height. The deck was gouging bits of lawn out all over the place.

Would the best solution to this be fabricating a 'spacer' from some mild steel to place in between the blade carrier & the 'boss'/flange, which the 3 bolts attach into?

I would need to use 3 longer bolts to ensure the same effective grip/hold is made. But if there's a better way to do it I'm open to it.

Other thoughts:
- she's a BIG girl, 120kg - which when you're ~65kg like me is a very solid workout for upper body on the turns (which I have a lot)
- started out rough but got much better working the grears, flicking into N for big reverse turns and working the clutch on turns.
- have to completely rethink how I cut the lawn as she's a straight line machine, turning a lot is a PITA
- never expected to do anywhere near all of it with it, so best to fly around in H and then come back to tidy up with the utility mower plater on the bits too close to obstacles or that I'd have had to 3 pt turn to cut
- the engine & cutter powers through stuff - hardly revved it and did it all super easy
- washed under and hit with the blower, still looks pretty darn good
- need to wear gloves next time, blisters on the hands from muscling the big bertha through the turns
- can see why it'd be terrific on rough stuff, very strong machine.
- I am pretty savvy at cutting, to get better access I did with the chute guard off (which I get isn't for everyone, each to their own) PPE'd up with sunglasses and steel caps, it also has very good clearance from your feet so really not an issue at all, I've had the chute off on my HUT216 since day 1 - get much better clipping throw from it.