Service

Service Intervals


BEFORE EACH USE	· Check oil level.
AFTER EACH USE	· Clean the mower.
5 HOURS	· Change engine oil.
25 HOURS	· Change engine oil. · Clean air cleaner element. · Tighten blade bolt; 75 N·m (55 lb-ft). · Lubricate rear axle bushings. · Clean and gap spark plug. · Clean belt and transmission area. (JA62)
50 HOURS	· Change engine oil.
100 HOURS	· Have your John Deere dealer check flywheel brake liner.

Service Record


DATE	SERVICE PERFORMED
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Engine Warranty Maintenance Statement

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems on this engine, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any nonroad engine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized John Deere dealer.

Adjusting Carburetor

NOTE: Carburetor is calibrated by the engine manufacturer and should not require any adjustments.

If engine is operated at altitudes above 1829 m
(6,000 ft), some carburetors may require a special high altitude main jet. See your John Deere dealer.

Possible engine surging will occur at high rpm when the transmission and the blades are disengaged. This is a normal condition due to the emission control system.

If engine is hard to start or runs rough, check the troubleshooting section of this manual.

After performing the checks in the troubleshooting section and your engine is still not performing correctly, contact your John Deere dealer.

Avoid Fumes

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death:

· If it is necessary to run an engine in an enclosed area, use an exhaust pipe extension to remove the fumes.

· Always try to work in a well ventilated area.

Engine Oil

Use oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

The following John Deere oils are
preferred:

· TORQ-GARD SUPREME®
(SAE 30)

· TORQ-GARD SUPREME®
(SAE 5W-30)

The following John Deere oils are also recommended, based on their specified temperature range:

· TURF-GARD® (SAE 10W-30)

· PLUS-4® (SAE 10W-30)

Other oils may be used if above John Deere oil is not available, provided they meet one of the following specifications:

· SAE 5W-30-API Service Classification SG or higher

· SAE 10W-30-API Service Classification SG or higher

· SAE 30-API Service Classification SC or higher

Checking Engine Oil Level

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you check or add oil:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Change oil after first 5 hours of operation.

M88826

1. Stop engine. Put mower on level surface.

2. Turn dipstick (A) to the left 1/4 turn and remove it.

3. Wipe dipstick off with a clean cloth.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If oil level is below ADD mark, DO NOT run engine.

4. Install dipstick, turn it to the right 1/4 turn and tighten it.

M73272

5. Remove dipstick. Check oil level. Oil should be between ADD and FULL MARKS shown on dipstick.
Not above FULL MARK.

6. Add oil, if necessary.

7. Install and tighten dipstick.

Changing Engine Oil

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! · Used oil may harm environment and people if it is dumped on ground or into a drain or body of water.

· Call your local Recycling Center or John Deere dealer to learn how to recycle used oil.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! · Change oil after first 5 hours of operation. · Change oil while engine is warm. · If you do not run mower 25 hours during mowing season, change oil before you store mower. · To help prevent air cleaner damage and hard starting, turn mower on LEFT SIDE.

1. Park mower on a level surface. Drain fuel from tank or run engine until fuel tank is empty or near empty.

2. Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire.

M88826

3. Turn oil dipstick (A) 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove from the filler tube.

M87111d

4. Insert plastic drain tube (B) firmly inside filler tube opening.

5. Place a drain pan on the left side of the mower.

6. Turn mower onto its LEFT SIDE.

7. Allow engine oil to drain from the dipstick filler tube location into the drain pan.

8. After oil has drained, return mower to an upright position.

9. Remove plastic drain tube. Clean area around filler tube.

10. Add 0.6 L (20 oz) oil through dipstick filler tube.

11. Install dipstick. Turn dipstick 1/4 turn right to tighten.

12. Remove dipstick. Check oil level. Add oil to FULL mark if necessary.

13. Install and tighten dipstick.

14. Connect spark plug wire.

Cleaning Air Cleaner Element

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you remove element:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not run engine without element. If element is damaged, replace it.

NOTE: If you operate mower in dusty conditions, clean element often.

M88845

1. Loosen screw (A).

M88843

2. Pivot cover (B) down.

3. Remove element (C).

4. Tap element gently to remove dust.

5. If element is very dirty, sooty, oily, or damaged, replace it.

6. Install element and cover.

Cleaning and Gapping Spark Plug

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you remove plug:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

M88829

1. Disconnect spark plug wire (A). Remove plug.

2. Carefully wire brush carbon from plug. Do not clean it with abrasives in a machine.

3. Inspect plug for damage. Replace damaged plug.

4. Adjust gap: 0.76 mm (0.030 in.).

5. Install and tighten plug to 20 N·m (15 lb-ft).

6. Connect wire.

Cleaning Engine Cooling Fins

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you clean fins:

· STOP engine.

· Let it cool.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Keep fins clean or engine may overheat.

Clean fins with brush, rag, or compressed air.

M88853

Also blow compressed air under shroud.

Adjusting Traction Cable (JA62)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do Not operate mower without belt shield. Before you adjust clutch:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

· Keep people and pets away from mower.

· Avoid belt when engine is running.

NOTE: Adjust Cable If Mower Slows Going Uphill.

M88840

1. Remove knob (A) and belt shield (B).

2. Loosen nut (C). Turn nut (D)
down 1/8 in. (3 mm).

3. Tighten nut (C). Start engine.

4. ENGAGE traction clutch lever to check clutch action.

5. If clutch needs more tension, repeat Steps 2 and 3.

M73706

6. Pulley (E) should not turn when engine is running and clutch lever is DISENGAGED. If pulley turns when engine is running, traction clutch cable is adjusted too tight.

Adjusting Throttle Cable

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust cable:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

1. Move throttle lever to the FAST r position.

M60964

2. Loosen screw (A).

3. Using your finger, move throttle control cable (B) all the way to the left until it stops.

4. Tighten screw (A) on throttle cable clamp.

Lubricate Rear Axle Bushings

M73277

Lubricate bushing (A) on each side with John Deere Multipurpose Grease or an equivalent.

Grease

TS1417

Use grease based on the expected air temperature range during the service interval.

The following greases are preferred:

· John Deere MOLY HIGH TEMPERATURE EP GREASE

· John Deere HIGH TEMPERATURE EP GREASE

· John Deere GREASE-GARDTM

Other greases may be used if they meet one of the following:

· SAE Multipurpose EP Grease with a maximum of 5% molybdenum disulfide.

· SAE Multipurpose EP Grease

Greases meeting Military Specification MIL-G-10924F may be used as arctic grease.

Cleaning Belt Area (JA62)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you remove shield:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

· DO NOT operate mower without belt shield.

· DO NOT use water to clean belt area.

M88840

1. Remove knob (A) and belt shield (B).

2. Use a brush or compressed air to remove clippings or debris from belt area.

M73281

3. Install shield and knob.

Cleaning Fuel Cap Vents

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you remove cap:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

· Do not smoke.

M73283

1. Remove cap. Check two vents (A) under metal ring and vent in top, center of cap.

2. Clean cap and vents in nonflammable solvent. Let cap dry.

3. Install the cap.

Check, Tighten, and Remove Blade

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Service blade safely:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

· Disconnect spark plug wire.

· Wear gloves or wrap blade with rag.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent air cleaner damage and hard starting, turn mower on LEFT SIDE.

M73275

1. Tighten Bolt (A) to 75 N·m (55 lb-ft).

2. Check Blade: Replace damaged blade. Sharpen dull blade.

3. Remove Blade: Remove bolt (A), washer (B), and blade.

NOTE: Make sure blade tip wing points up and washer cup is against blade.

Sharpen Blade

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! To avoid injury, wear goggles and gloves when sharpening, balancing or installing blade.

1. Sharpen blade with grinder, hand file or electric blade sharpener

2. Keep original bevel (A) when you grind.

3. Blade should have 0.40 mm
(1/64 in.) cutting edge (B).


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Balance blade after you sharpen it. An unbalanced blade may cause excessive vibration.

Balance and Install Blade

M61524

1. Clean blade. Put it on a nail in vise or on a wall. Heavy end of blade will drop. Grind bevel of heavy end. Do not change bevel.

2. Install blade, washer (cup-side against blade), and bolt.

3. Tighten bolt to 75 N·m (55 lb-ft).

Handle Fuel Safely

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Handle fuel with care, it is highly flammable:

· DO NOT refuel machine while you smoke, when machine is near an open flame or sparks, or when engine is running. STOP engine.

· Fill fuel tank outdoors.

· Prevent fires: clean oil, grease and dirt from machine. Clean up spilled fuel immediately.

· Do not store machine with fuel in tank in a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

· To prevent fire and explosion caused by static electric discharge, while you fill tank, use a non-metal fuel container. If you use a funnel, MAKE SURE it is PLASTIC. Avoid using a funnel which has a metal screen or filter.

· Use only clean oil and fuel and clean approved containers and funnels.

· Store oil and fuel in an area protected from dust, moisture and other contamination.

Filling Fuel Tank


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Avoid spilling fuel. Fuel can damage plastic and painted surfaces. DO NOT mix oil with gasoline. Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. is recommended. Fuel tank capacity is 1.5 L (1.6 qt).

· Use only clean, fresh, unleaded regular grade gasoline.

· Remove any trash from top of fuel tank drain area.

· Never use fuel that is stale or has been stored for a long period of time:

Warm Weather: Maximum 60 days.

Cold Weather: Maximum of 90 days.

· Fill fuel tank at the end of each day's operation. This helps to keep condensation out of fuel tank.

Oxygenated Fuel

Oxygenates (either ethanol or MTBE) are added to the gasoline. If you use the oxygenated fuel be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement.

The following are the EPA approved percentages of fuel oxygenates:

ETHANOL (Ethyl or Grain Alcohol): You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume.

MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether): You may use gasoline containing up to 15 percent MTBE by volume.

Filling Fuel Tank (Continued)

NOTE: Fuel tank capacity is
1.5 L (1.6 qt).

M88825

1. Remove fuel cap (A).

2. DO NOT fill tank to top; fuel can expand.

3. Fasten fuel cap.

4. Wipe off any spilled fuel.

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