Service

Service Intervals

Every 10 Hours

• If operating in dry conditions, clean debris from mower.

Every 25 Hours

• Lubricate spindles

• Lubricate driveshaft

• Lubricate wheels

• Lubricate mower lift kit

• Inspect mower blades

• Inspect mower belt

Every 100 Hours

• Check gearbox oil level

• Wash mower

• Inspect rollers

Every 500 Hours

• Change gearbox oil

Grease

The following greases are preferred:

• John Deere Multi-Purpose SD Polyurea Grease

• John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease

If not using any of the preferred greases, be sure to use a general all-purpose grease with an NLGI grade No.2 rating.

Wet or high speed conditions may require use of a special-use grease. Contact your Servicing dealer for information.

Gear Oil

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

John Deere GL-5 Gear Lubricant is recommended.

Other oils may be used if they meet one or more of the following:

• API Service Classification GL-5.

• Military Specification MIL-L-2105D.

• Military Specification MIL-L-2105C.

• Military Specification MIL-L-2105B.

Oils meeting Military Specification MIL-L-10324A may be used as arctic oils.

Lubricating Mower

Driveshaft

MX20649

Lubricate grease fittings (A) with recommended grease.

Wheels

NOTE: Wheel grease fittings are only on 62D mowers.

MX35476

Lubricate grease fitting (A) with recommended grease on all four wheels.

Spindles

MX35477

Lubricate grease fittings (A) with recommended grease.

Idler Arm

MX35478

Lubricate grease fitting (A) with recommended grease.

Lubricating Mower Lift Kits

Lift Arms (2520, 2720 Tractor with Independent Lift Kit)

MX35474

Lubricate grease fittings (A) with recommended grease.

Servicing Gearbox

Checking Oil Level

1. Remove plug from one side of gearbox.

2. Oil level should be even with bottom edge of plug hole.

3. If oil is low, add recommended oil.

4. Install plug.

Changing Oil

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Components are installed under spring tension. Wear eye protection and use proper tools when installing and removing components with spring tension.

MX35479

1. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise to release tension off of belt, and remove belt from sheave (B).

2. Remove four nuts (C), and remove gearbox bracket with gearbox (D).

MX35480

3. Check isolators (E) for wear or damage.

a. Remove washers on top of isolators and replace isolators if needed.

b. Install washers before installing gearbox assembly.

MX35468

4. Remove plug (F) on side of gearbox.

5. Lift and turn gearbox bracket on side and drain oil from gearbox.

MX35479

6. Route belt around gearbox sheave as you install gearbox bracket (D) on four bolts. Secure with nuts (C).

7. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise, and install belt onto sheave (B).

8. Fill gearbox with recommended oil.

Servicing Mower Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling blades or working near blades. Replace blades if defective. Never straighten or weld them.

Checking for Bent Mower Blades

1. Park machine on a level surface.

2. Disengage mower blades.

3. Fully raise the mower.

4. Lock the park brake.

5. Stop the engine.

6. Remove the key.

7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator’s seat.

8. Block the mower.

MX11181

9. Measure the distance (A) from blade tip to level surface with a ruler or a leveling gauge available at your John Deere dealer.

10. Rotate blade 180? and measure the distance between other end of blade and surface.

11. Check all blades. Install new blade if difference between measurements is more than 3mm (1/8 in.).

Removing and Installing Mower Blades

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in SAFETY.)

2. Remove mower from machine.

3. Use a suitable lifting device to raise mower to gain access to blades.

4. Insert wood block between blade and mower to prevent blade from turning when removing bolt.

MX35473

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

6. Sharpen or replace blade as needed.

7. Install blade with cutting edge toward the ground.

8. Install washer and bolt.

9. Insert wood block between blade and mower to prevent blade from turning when tightening bolt. Tighten to 68 N•m (50 lb-ft).

Sharpening Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling blades or working near blades. Always wear safety eye protection when grinding.

MX8333

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

• Keep original bevel (A) when grinding.

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

2. Balance blade before installing.

Balancing Blades

1. Clean the blade.

M61524

2. Put blade on a nail in a vice or in a vertical wall stud. Turn blade to horizontal position. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.

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

Replacing Mower Belt

Removing Belt:

NOTE: When Powerflow is installed, remove right ramp to access belt for removal.

1. Remove mower from machine.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Components are installed under spring tension. Wear eye protection and use proper tools when installing and removing components with spring tension.

MX35479

2. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise to release tension off of belt, and remove belt from sheave (B).

3. Remove belt from around sheaves under ramps (C) and remaining sheaves, as shown. Note belt routing for installation of replacement belt.

Installing Belt:

1. Install belt around sheaves under ramps (C) and all remaining sheaves, except for idler sheave (B).

2. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise, and install belt onto sheave (B).

Replacing Wheels and Rollers

1. Park machine on a level surface.

2. Disengage mower blades.

3. Fully raise the mower.

4. Lock the park brake.

5. Stop the engine.

6. Remove the key.

7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator’s seat.

8. Block the mower.

Front and Rear Wheels (62D Mowers)

MX35469

1. To remove front wheels, remove nut (A), bolt (B) and two washers.

2. Install new wheel with washers, bolt and nut.

MX35470

3. To remove rear wheels, remove nut (C) and wheel.

4. Install new wheel with nut.

All Wheels (54D Mower)

MX35471

1. Remove cap (A), nut (B), and wheel.

2. Install new wheel with nut. Install cap.

Rollers

MX35472

1. Remove nut (A), rollers (B), and shaft
(C).

2. Install new rollers with bushing, shaft and nut.

Replacing Sheaves

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Components are installed under spring tension. Wear eye protection and use proper tools when installing and removing components with spring tension.

MX35479

1. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise to release tension off of belt, and remove belt from sheave (B).

2. Remove two nuts (C) from each ramps, and remove both ramps (D).

MX35467

Picture Note: 62D model shown.

3. Remove nuts (E) from each sheave on top of mower and remove sheaves.

MX35468

4. Remove bolt (F) from sheave installed on gearbox.

5. Replace sheaves and install hardware, being certain belt is properly routed on each sheave.

6. Install ramps (D) and secure with nuts.

7. Rotate idler arm (A) counterclockwise, and install belt onto sheave (B).