A riding mower is provided and includes a frame, a drive shaft, an engine for selectively rotating the drive shaft, a mower deck having first and second ends, coupling for selectively coupling the drive shaft to the mower deck, a lift cylinder for selectively lifting the mower deck, and a deck attachment mechanism for attaching the mower deck to the frame and to the lift cylinder. The deck attachment mechanism includes a first end link assembly for use in operatively connecting the first end of the mower deck to the frame, a second end link assembly including a first link member having a first link slot for use in operatively connecting the second end of the mower deck to the frame, a frame connection for selectively operatively connecting the first link member to the frame, a quick release pin for selectively operatively connecting the first link member to the mower deck, and a first lift rod having a first end operatively connected to the lift cylinder and a second end operatively received within the first link slot of the first link member. The first lift rod is selectively slidable within the first link slot thereby permitting the mower deck to be easily removed from the side of the riding mower.