John Deere

OMGC00551

Issue D1

21-Inch Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers

JS60H

PIN (100001 - )

Introduction

Product Identification

Safety

Operating

Replacement Parts

Service Intervals

Service

Engine Warranty Maintenance Statement

Adjusting Carburetor

Avoid Fumes

Engine Oil

Checking Engine Oil Level

Changing Engine Oil

Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Element

Cleaning and Gapping Spark Plug

Cleaning Engine Cooling Fins

Lubricate Mower Axles

Servicing Mower Blades

Sharpening Blades

Balancing Blades

Filling Fuel Tank

Cleaning Fuel Cap Vent

Troubleshooting

Storing Machine

Assembly

Specifications

Warranty

John Deere Quality Statement

Service Record

All Manuals Close Window

Service

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.

NOTE: 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.

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


MIF

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)

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 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.


1. Park mower on level surface and stop engine.


MX7423

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

3. Wipe dipstick off with clean cloth.

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


4. Install dipstick.


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 will harm environment and people if it is dumped on the ground or into a drain or a body of water. Call your local Recycling Center or John Deere dealer to learn how to recycle used oil.

· Engine may be hot. Use caution to avoid burns to the hands.

· Fuel is highly flammable. To prevent fuel spillage from occurring, drain fuel from tank before tipping mower to drain oil.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage!

· Change oil after first 5 hours of operation.

· Change oil while engine is warm.

· If mower is not operated 25 hours during the mowing season, change oil before storing mower.

· Help prevent air cleaner damage and hard starting. Turn mower onto its left side when servicing.


1. Park mower on level surface.

2. Drain fuel from tank or run engine until fuel tank is empty or near empty.

3. Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire.


MX7423

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


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5. Insert plastic drain tube supplied with mower firmly inside oil filler tube opening (B).

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent air cleaner damage and hard starting:

· Turn mower on its left side.


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

7. Turn mower onto its left side.

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

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

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

11. Add 0.47 L (16 oz) oil through dipstick filler tube.

12. Install dipstick. Turn dipstick 1/4 turn clockwise to tighten.

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

14. Install and tighten dipstick.

15. Connect spark plug wire.

Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Element

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Touching hot surfaces can burn skin. The engine and components will be hot if the engine has been running. Allow the engine to cool before servicing.

2. Let engine cool.

3. Disconnect spark plug wire.

4. Clean dirt and debris from air cleaner cover.


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5. Loosen screws (A), and remove cover.


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6. Inspect the foam pre-cleaner (B) without removing it. If the foam pre-cleaner is dirty:

a. Remove it from the filter carefully, leaving the paper element in the air cleaner housing.

b. Wash pre-cleaner in a solution of warm water and liquid detergent.

c. Rinse pre-cleaner thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water in a dry cloth until pre-cleaner is completely dry.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and debris can enter the engine through a damaged filter element.

· Do not wash paper element.

· Do not attempt to clean paper element by tapping against another object.

· Do not use pressurized air to clean element.

· Replace element only if it is very dirty, damaged or the seal is cracked.


7. Inspect the paper element without removing it. If the paper element is damaged or dirty, remove and replace it with a new element.

8. Clean air cleaner base carefully, preventing any dirt from falling into carburetor.

9. Install foam pre-cleaner onto paper element and install into air cleaner base.

10. Close cover and tighten screws. Do not overtighten.

Cleaning and Gapping Spark Plug

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you remove spark plug:

· Stop engine. Let it cool.


MX7426

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

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: 0.51 mm (0.02 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.

· Wear eye protection to guard against flying debris.

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



MX7427

1. Park mower on level surface and stop engine.

2. Let engine cool.

3. Clean fins (A) and under cover (B) with brush, rag, or compressed air.

Lubricate Mower Axles

Front Axle

1. Tip mower to one side to elevate mower wheels slightly off the ground. Use a wood block to keep side of mower in a raised position.


MX6525

2. Remove plastic hubcaps (A).

· Use a screwdriver in slot (B) to pry the hubcap from wheel.


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3. Remove locknut (C).

4. Remove wheel from each axle.


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5. Apply a light coating of grease to axle (D).

6. Install wheels, hardware and hubcaps.

7. Lower mower.

8. Repeat procedure on other side of mower.

Rear Axle

MX6528

Rear wheels are equipped with sealed bearings (A). It is not necessary to put lubrication on the rear axle.

Servicing Mower Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Service blade safely:

· STOP engine. Let it cool.

· Disconnect spark plug wire.

· Wear gloves or wrap blade with a rag.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent air cleaner damage and hard starting:

· Turn mower on its left side.


NOTE: Sharpened edges on blade tips must face upward when installing blade.

Removing Mower Blades


M87085

1. Remove bolt (A), washer (B), and blade.

2. Inspect blade; sharpen, balance or replace blade as necessary.

Installing Mower Blades

1. Lubricate bolt threads lightly with a general purpose grease or oil. This lubrication is to prevent rusting and seizing.


M87085

2. Tighten bolt (A) to 75 N·m (55 lb-ft).

Sharpening Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are dangerous!

· Always wear gloves while working on blades.

· Always wear safety eye protection when grinding.

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


M61830

Keep original bevel (A) when grinding.

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

Balance blades before installing.

Balancing Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

1. Clean blade.


M61524

2. Put blade on nail in a vise. Turn blade to horizontal position.

3. Check balance. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.

4. Grind bevel of heavy end. Do not change blade bevel.

Filling Fuel Tank

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Fuel vapors are explosive and flammable:

· Shut engine off before filling fuel tank.

· Do not smoke while handling fuel.

· Keep fuel away from flames or sparks

· Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well ventilated area.

· Clean up spilled fuel immediately.

· Use clean approved non-metal container to prevent static electric discharge.

· Use clean approved plastic funnel without screen or filter to prevent static electric discharge.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and water in fuel can cause engine damage:

· Clean dirt and debris from the fuel tank opening.

· Use clean, fresh, stabilized fuel.

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

· Use a non-metallic funnel with a plastic mesh strainer when filling the fuel tank or container.


Use regular grade 87 octane unleaded fuel.

Add John Deere fuel stabilizer to fuel before using it in your machine to prevent engine damage due to stale fuel. Follow directions on stabilizer container.

1. Stop engine. If engine is hot let it cool several minutes before you add fuel.

2. Remove grass clippings and other trash from tank area.


MX7429

3. Remove fuel cap (A).

4. Fill tank with fresh fuel only to bottom of filler neck.

5. Install fuel cap.

Cleaning Fuel Cap Vent


M73283

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

2. Clean cap and vents in nonflammable solvent. Allow cap to dry.

3. Install the cap.

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