Service Mower

Avoid Injury From Contacting Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you dismount to unplug or adjust mower: · STOP the engine. · LOCK the park brake. · DISENGAGE PTO to stop mower blades. · Remove key. · Wait for mower blades to STOP. · Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine is running. · DISENGAGE PTO to stop mower blades when you are not using mower.

Grease

1411

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.

Replacing PTO Belts

M73461

1. Loosen nut (A) to loosen the idler bracket (B) and sheave.

2. Remove the nut, flat washer, and tooth washer (C) from the bottom, front of the bracket.

3. Remove the bolt and flat washer (D) from the bottom, rear of the bracket.

4. Remove the bracket and both belts.

5. Install the new belts, bracket, and hardware.

6. Tighten nut (A) until the belt deflects 19mm (3/4-in.) when you push the mid point of the belt on its longest side.

Adjusting PTO Clutch

To adjust the PTO clutch, see the Service-Engine section.

Gearbox Oil

Use 90W gear oil.

Checking The Mower Gearbox Oil Level

M73427

1. Stop the engine. Wait until the gearbox is cool.

2. Remove the check plug (A) from either side of the gearbox.

3. Oil should drain from the plug hole.

4. If not, remove the fill plug (B).

5. Pour or squirt oil through the fill plug hole until the oil runs out of the check plug hole.

6. Install both plugs.

Changing The Mower Gearbox Oil

1. STOP the engine. Wait until the gearbox is cool.

2. Lift the seat to the second position.

3. Remove the driveline coupler from the vehicle gearbox shaft.

4. Remove the three mower belt shields. Use a spring puller to remove the end of the mower belt tension spring from its bracket.

M73445

5. Remove the two cap screws (A) from in front of the gearbox.

6. Remove the two bolts (B) and spacers from the rear of the gearbox.

M73445

7. Remove the gearbox and driveline from the belt and the mower.

8. Remove the fill plug (C) from the gearbox.

9. Turn the gearbox upside down to drain it.

10. After the oil has drained, turn the gearbox right side up.

11. Remove a check plug (D) from either side of the gearbox.

12. Pour or squirt oil through the fill plug hole until the oil runs out of the check plug hole.

13. Install the two plugs in the gearbox.

14. Install the gearbox on the mower. Install the belt on the gearbox sheave as you install the gearbox.

15. Tighten the cap screws and bolts to 70 N·m (50 lb-ft).

16. Connect the coupler to the vehicle gearbox shaft.

17. Use a spring puller to install the end of the spring in its bracket.

18. Install the belt shields.

19. Lower the seat.

Checking The PTO Gearbox
Oil Level

M73459

1. STOP the engine.

2. Lift the seat to the second position.

3. Remove the check plug (A). Oil should flow from the plug hole.

4. If not squirt oil through the check plug hole, OR remove the fill plug (B) and squirt oil through the fill plug hole.

Lubricating The Caster Wheel Bearings And Spindles

M73423

Lubricate two points on each front wheel assembly.

Use John Deere Multipurpose Grease or equivalent.

Lubricating The Mower Spindles

M56999

Lubricate three points.

M57000

Use John Deere Multipurpose Grease or equivalent.

Lubricating The Mower Rear Wheel Bearing

M73422

Lubricate one point.

Use John Deere Multipurpose Grease or equivalent.

Lubricating The Driveline U-joints And Spline

M73425

Lubricate three points.

M73425

Use John Deere Multipurpose Grease or equivalent.

Lubricating The Crank Bushing

M73424

Lubricate one point.

Use John Deere Multipurpose Grease or equivalent.

Removing And Installing The Belt Shields

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not operate the mower without the belt shields. If you put your hand or foot between the moving belt and a sheave, the belt and sheave can tear your hand or foot off. The moving belt and sheaves can also throw debris that could injure your eyes or other parts of your body.

M73419

1. To remove the shields, open the three latches shown.

2. Remove the center shield first, then the other two shields.

3. Install the outer shields first, then the center shield.

Replacing The Rollers

M73436

1. Turn the crank to raise the mower as high as it will go.

2. Remove the lock nut (A).

3. Pull the shaft out and remove the roller.

4. Install the new roller on the shaft.

M73435

5. Install and tighten the lock nut.

Removing The Mower Belt

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you change belt: · STOP engine. · LOCK park brake.

1. Remove the three belt shields.

2. Lower the mower all the way by turning the crank on the front of the mower.

M73341

3. Use a spring puller to remove the end of the spring (A) from the mower bracket.

M73386

4. Loosen the two cap screws (B) in front of the gearbox several turns.

M73386

5. Remove the two bolts (C) and the two spacers from the rear of the gearbox.

6. Use a bar to lift and hold up the rear of the gearbox.

7. Remove the belt from under the gearbox. Lower the gearbox.

8. Remove the belt from the other sheaves and discard it.

Installing Mower Belt

To install a new belt:

1. Use a bar to lift and hold up the rear of the gearbox.

2. Install the new belt on the sheave that is under the gearbox.

3. Lower the gearbox.

M57013

4. Use the picture at the right to help you install the belt on the other sheaves. Do not twist the belt.

M73386

5. Install the two bolts and spacers (A) at the rear of the gearbox.

6. Tighten the two bolts to 70 N·m (50 lb-ft).

M73386

7. Tighten the two cap screws (B) in front of the gearbox several turns.

73341

8. Use a spring puller to install the end of the spring (C) in the bracket.

9. Install the three belt shields.

Checking The Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The blades may be sharp. To help prevent injury when you handle the blades, wear heavy gloves or wrap the end of the blade with a rag.

To check and remove a blade:

1. Put blocks in front of the mower.

2. Start the engine.

3. Pull up the Mower Lift Lever to RAISE the mower as high as it will go.

M73456

4. Hold the Lift Lever up and drive the Front Mower SLOWLY forward until you can lower the mower onto the blocks.

5. RELEASE the Lift Lever to lower the mower onto the blocks.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not work under a raised mower unless it is safely supported.

6. STOP the engine. LOCK the park brake.

7. Check the blades for damage and sharpness.

8. Replace a damaged blade.

9. Sharpen a dull blade. See Sharpening The Blades next in this section.

M73355

10. To remove a blade, turn the bolt (A) counterclockwise.

Sharpening The Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The blades may be sharp. To help prevent injury when you handle the blades, wear heavy gloves or wrap the end of the blade with a rag.

61830

1. Sharpen the blade: Keep the original bevel (A).

2. Balance the blade. See BALANCING AND INSTALLING THE BLADES next in this section.

Balancing And Installing The Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The blades may be sharp. To help prevent injury when you handle blades, wear heavy gloves or wrap the end of the blade with a rag.

M61524

1. To balance a blade:

· Clean the blade.

· Put the blade on a nail in a vise or wall. The heavy end of the blade will drop. Grind the bevel of the heavy end. Do not change the bevel.

2. Fasten blades with washers and bolts. The cup-side of the washer must be against the blade. Tighten bolts to 68-75 N·m (45-55 lb-ft).