Apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering the cutting deck beneath the frame of a riding lawn mower, comprising a pair of lifting arms having first ends rotatably secured to the frame and second ends secured to the cutting deck, rotation of the lifting arms effecting vertical movement of said cutting deck. A pedal operated lifting mechanism is provided, selectively operable by the user of the mower to rotate the lifting arms, thereby raising and/or lower the cutting deck. A suspending member is disposed through an opening in the frame above a portion of one lifting arm, said suspending member having a lower end secured to the lifting arm and an upper end disposed above the opening in the frame. A support member secured to the upper end of the suspending member engages the frame to limit downward movement of the suspending member and lifting arm, and is selectively adjustable by the user to adjust the cutting height of the deck. Upon moving the cutting deck to its upper-most raised position, the suspending member engages the frame adjacent the opening and automatically locks the cutting deck in its raised position. A handle on the suspending member allows the driver to adjust the cutting height with the cutting deck in either its cutting or raised position.