I just inherited a D C 2354. If I try to engage deck blades at a deck height of lower than 4 inches it is like it just bogs down, like it is too low. Deck has three wheels intact. Blades will engage at higher heights just fine. It is my first zero turn and I don’t know much about them.
Are you in thick grass when you engage the blades? Are you at full throttle when engaging the blades? If I'm in grass and I engage the blades ill usually engage with the deck all the way up then lower it down at full throttle.