A lifting assembly for a mower deck includes a lifting shank having a curved surface following a lifting shank radius of curvature, and a deck lifting link interconnecting the mower deck lifting assembly and the mower deck. Actuation of the mower deck lifting assembly lifts the mower deck through the deck lifting link. The deck lifting link includes a slot having a width of more than twice the lifting shank radius of curvature and a slot end describing an arc having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the lifting shank radius of curvature. The lifting shank is received in the slot end with substantially surface contact between the lifting shank curved surface and the slot end. The lifting shank is freely movable in the slot to accommodate vertical travel of the mower deck with respect to the deck lifting assembly.
