Service


DAILY	Check engine oil level.
DAILY	Check for loose or missing hardware.
AS REQUIRED	Replace/adjust auger drive belt.
	Replace traction drive belt.
	Replace shear bolt.
	Adjust chute controls.
	Adjust spout control lever.
	Clean fuel cap vents.
	Check auger clutch/impeller brake.
	Replace fuel filter, if equipped.
	Check tire pressure.
	Lubricate discharge chute.
	Check traction drive clutch.
	Check speed/shift linkage.
AFTER FIRST 2 HOURS OF OPERATION	Change engine oil.

Service Intervals (Continued)


EVERY 25 OPERATING HOURS	Lubricate auger drive shaft.
	Check spark plug.
	Change engine oil.
	Lubricate internal drive.
	Check gearbox lubricant.
	Lubricate discharge chute.
100 HOURS OR YEARLY	Check/clean engine cooling fins.

Service Record


DATE	SERVICE PERFORMED

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 oils are not available, provided they meet one of the following specifications:

· SAE 30-API Service Classification SC or higher;

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

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

Grease

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-GARD.

Other greases may be used are:

· SAE Multipurpose EP Grease with 3 to 5 percent molybdenum disulfide.

· SAE Multipurpose EP Grease.

TS1417

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

Gear Oil

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

The following John Deere gear case oil is PREFERRED:

· GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT®-SAE 80W-90.

The following John Deere gear case oil is also recommended if above preferred oil is not available:

· GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT®-SAE 85W-140.

Other gear case oils may be used if above recommended John Deere gear case oils are not available, provided they meet the following specification:

M58275

· API Service Classification GL-5.

Checking Engine Oil Level

1. Park snowblower on a level surface.

2. Clean area around dipstick.

M94189

3. Remove dipstick (A). Wipe it off with clean, lint free towel.

4. Install and tighten dipstick. Remove dipstick and locate oil level.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT fill above FULL mark (B) on dipstick.

M71567

5. Add oil to bring level to the FULL mark on dipstick. (See Engine Oil in this section for correct oil.)

· Add oil through dipstick tube.

6. Install and tighten dipstick.

Changing Engine Oil

NOTE: Change oil after first two operating hours.

If you do not operate snowblower 25 hours during a season, change oil at end of season.

1. Run engine a few minutes to warm oil. Oil will flow more freely and carry away more contamination when warm.

M94190

2. Clean area around oil drain plug (A).

3. Position unit so engine oil drain plug is lowest point on engine.

M94189

4. Remove oil drain plug (A) and dipstick (B) to drain engine oil.

5. Install oil drain plug and tighten.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT fill above FULL mark (C) on dipstick.

M71567

6. Add oil to bring level to the FULL mark on dipstick. (See Engine Oil in this section for correct oil.)

· Add oil through dipstick tube.

Approximate crankcase capacity:

· 724D - 621 mL (21 fl. oz.)

· 826D - 800 mL (26 fl. oz.)

7. Install and tighten dipstick.

Cleaning And Gapping Spark Plug

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

· STOP engine

· Let engine cool.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT clean spark plug with abrasives.

Clean and gap spark plug at the beginning of season or every 25 operating hours.

1. Clean area around spark plug.

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2. Disconnect spark plug wire (A).

3. Remove and inspect spark plug:

· Clean plug and check for damage, replace if necessary.

· If plug is in good condition, check gap.

M85200

4. Check and adjust spark plug gap (B):

· 0.76 mm (0.030 in.)

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

6. Install spark plug wire.

Cleaning Cylinder Fins

M94189

Inspect cooling fins (A):

· Every 100 operating hours or yearly (more often if conditions require) remove cooling shrouds and clean cooling fins.

· Also clean external surfaces of your engine of dust, dirt, and oil deposits which can contribute to improper cooling.

Replacing Shear Bolts

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop and remove wire from spark plug before leaving operator's position and attempting to maintain or inspect auger.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Replacement shear bolts MUST BE the same as original shear bolts on your snowblower. · Softer bolts may shear too easily. · Harder bolts may not shear and may cause other parts of your snowblower to suffer damage.

NOTE: Two extra shear bolts were included with your snowblower.

M94196

1. Stop engine.

2. Inspect both shear bolts (A). If necessary, remove broken shear bolt(s).

3. Lubricate auger shaft at four points (B). Turn auger shaft several times to distribute grease.

4. Line up holes in auger with hole in auger shaft.

5. Install new shear bolt and lock nut.

6. Tighten nut.

Checking Tire Pressure

M86550

Check tires for wear or damage, replace as required.

Check tire pressure (A) with an accurate gauge. Tire pressure should be:

· 165 kPa (24 psi) maximum.

Adjusting Carburetor

NOTE: The 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 is in neutral ("N") and the PTO switch is in the OFF position. 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.

Drain Carburetor

To remove fuel from the carburetor bowl:

M94184

· Turn fuel shut off valve (A) to the CLOSED (OFF) position. (See Fuel Shut Off Valve in Operating section.)

· Place a small container under the carburetor.

M94192

· Press drain plug (B) in until all fuel is removed from bowl.

· Release drain plug.

Lubricating Auger Gearbox

Check oil level at the beginning of season or every 25 operating hours.

Check gearbox fluid level:

· Clean area around fill plug.

· Park unit on level surface.

M86551

· Remove plug (A).

· Fluid level should be at oil fill plug.

· If necessary, add fluid. (See Gear Oil in this section for the correct fluid.)

· Install plug.

Lubricating Auger Shaft

Auger shaft should be lubricated at the beginning of season or every 25 operating hours.

Lubricate auger shaft:

M94196

· Remove shear bolts (A).

· Turn auger on shaft while applying grease to grease fittings (B). (See Grease in this section for the correct lubricant.)

· Install shear bolts. (See Replacing Shear Bolts in this section for the correct procedure.)

Lubricating Internal Drive

Internal drive should be lubricated at the beginning of season or every 25 operating hours.

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent fuel spillage. Before tipping unit up onto housing, remove enough fuel so that no spillage will occur.

M94193

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M79009

5. Remove two bolts (B) and loosen two bolts (C) to remove access panel (D).

Model 724D

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! DO NOT touch engine or snowblower drive parts which are hot from operation. Allow such parts to cool before servicing unit.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT allow grease or oil to get on friction wheel and drive disc (E) or drive belts.

M86554

6. Lightly apply oil to:

· Wheel drive spring assembly (F).

· Hex shaft (G).

· Speed selector linkage (H).

· Bushing (I).

7. Install access panel.

Model 826D

M86584

8. Lightly apply oil to:

· Wheel drive spring assembly (F).

· Hex shaft (G).

· Speed selector linkage (H).

· Bushing (I).

· Chain drive (J).

9. Lubricate grease fitting (K) on Jackshaft. (See Grease in this section for the correct lubricant.).

10. Install access panel.

Lubricating Discharge Chute

Discharge chute should be lubricated at the beginning of season or every 25 operating hours.

Lubricate discharge chute:

M86555

· Turn discharge chute while applying grease to base (A).

Changing Friction Disk

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent fuel spillage. Before tipping unit up onto housing, remove enough fuel so that no spillage will occur.

M94193

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M86553

5. Remove two bolts (B) and loosen two bolts (C) to remove access panel (D).

Model 724D

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! DO NOT touch engine or snowblower drive parts which are hot from operation. Allow such parts to cool before servicing unit.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To ensure proper machine operation, DO NOT allow grease or oil to get on friction wheel (E), drive disc or drive belts.

M86554

6. Remove right hand wheel and tire.

7. Remove bearing flange on right side of frame

8. Slide friction wheel assembly (E) and hex shaft (F) to the right until left end of hex shaft comes free of the left bearing and pinion.

9. Remove three cap screws securing friction wheel to hub and remove friction wheel.

10. Secure new friction wheel onto hub with three cap screws. Tighten cap screws to 11- 13 N·m (8 - 10 ft.-lb).

11. Position friction wheel hub in forks (G). Be sure washers are in place on bearing flange pins. Slide hex shaft to left and into pinion and left bearing with flat washers in position. Pinion gear must mesh with large gear.

12. Install bearing flange and right hand tire and wheel.

13. Install access panel.

Model 826D

M86584

14. 6. Remove right hand wheel and tire.

15. 7. Remove bearing flange on right side of frame

16. 8. Slide friction wheel assembly (E) and hex shaft (F) to the right until left end of hex shaft comes free of the left spacer and sprocket.

17. 9. Remove three cap screws securing friction wheel to hub and remove friction wheel.

18. 10. Secure new friction wheel onto hub with three cap screws. Tighten cap screws to 11- 13 N·m (8 - 10 ft.-lb).

19. 11. Position friction wheel hub in forks (G). Be sure washers are in place on bearing flange pins. Slide hex shaft to left and into sprocket and spacer and left bearing with flat washers in position. Pinion gear must engaged with drive chain.

20. 12. Install bearing flange and right hand tire and wheel.

21. 13. Install access panel.

Changing Auger Drive Belt Or Traction Drive Belt

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent fuel spillage. Before tipping unit up onto housing, remove enough fuel so that no spillage will occur.

M94198

4. Disconnect auger chute rotation linkage:

· Remove 1/4 x 1-1/4 cap screw (A), Lock washer, Flat washer and spacer.

· Remove 5/16 x 5/8 cap screw (B), Lock washer and Flat washer.

· Lift discharge chute (C) off housing.

M86557

5. Remove two cap screws (D) to remove belt cover (E).

M86558

6. Disconnect belts from engine:

· Auger drive belt (E).

· Traction drive belt (D).

M86559

7. Loosen lower cap screws (G).

8. Support handle bars and remove upper cap screws (F).

9. Push down on handle bars. Unit will separate, put handle bars on floor.

10. Inspect drive belts. Remove and replace belts as required.

M86560

· Auger drive belt (E).

· Traction drive belt (D).

Assemble Unit

1. When assembling unit:

· Lower cap screws (G) must fully engage slots in frame.

· Auger drive belt (E) must be fully engaged around sheave.

2. Install upper and lower hardware (F and G).

3. Install drive belts on engine.

4. Install belt cover.

5. Install discharge chute and connect auger linkage.

Adjusting Chute Crank

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

To adjust chute crank:

M86561b

· If chute crank is too loose, tighten nut (A).

· If chute crank is too tight, loosen nut (A).

Adjusting Chute Deflector

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

To adjust chute deflector:

M94199

· If chute deflector is too loose, tighten nut (A).

· If chute deflector is too tight, loosen nut (A).

Adjusting Impeller / Auger Brake

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

M86565

4. Remove two cap screws (A) to remove belt cover (B).

M86566

5. Check clearance between brake pad (C) and auger drive belt (D):

· With auger drive lever released, the brake pad (C) must contact auger drive belt (D).

NOTE: When the auger drive cable has some slack in it; that means maximum spring force is being applied to the brake arm (E).

M86567

6. Check auger drive cable (F), cable should have some slack in it. If cable is tight or very loose, change cable length by adjusting nuts (G).

7. Install belt cover.

Adjusting Auger Drive Belt Tension

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

M86565

3. Remove two cap screws (A) to remove belt cover (B).

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! It is necessary to perform this adjustment with the belt cover removed and extreme care is to be taken to prevent injury. Stand well clear of the open belt drive while engine is running.

4. Check impeller / auger brake adjustment before adjusting tension on the auger drive belt. (See Adjusting Impeller / Auger Brake in this section.)

5. Start the engine and run at full throttle.

M86563

6. Slowly depress the auger drive lever (C) until the auger shaft begins to rotate. At this point the auger drive lever should be between 76 to 83 mm (3 to 3-1/4 in.) (D) from the handle grip.

7. If your dimension is not within this range, shut off the engine and adjust the auger drive belt tension as required.

NOTE: A 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) adjustment of the pulley will result in an approximate 6 mm (1/4 in.) change in the measurement (D).

M86566

8. To adjust the belt tension, loosen the idler arm pulley lock nut (E) and move the pulley (F) to loosen or tighten the belt tension.

9. Tighten lock nut (E).

10. Repeat steps 5 through 8 until adjusted properly.

Adjusting Traction Drive Clutch

Adjust traction clutch to compensate for wear of friction wheel when slippage occurs.

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

M94180

4. Put speed selector lever (A) in FIRST gear.

M86568

5. Pull the wheel drive clutch arm (B) upward until you feel a positive stop. Hold the wheel drive clutch arm in this position.

M86564

6. Move the traction drive lever (C) until it is 83 - 95 mm (3-1/4 - 3-3/4 in.) (D) from the handle grip.

7. With the wheel drive clutch arm (B) held upward and the traction drive lever held down to dimension (D) there should be no slack in cable (E), adjust the cable length as required:

· Loosen lock nut (F).

· Lengthen or shorten cable (E) by turning adjusting sleeve (G).

· Tighten lock nut (F).

8. Repeat steps 5 - 7 until there is no slack in cable.

Adjusting Speed / Shift Linkage

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent fuel spillage. Before tipping unit up onto housing, remove enough fuel so that no spillage will occur.

1. Park snowblower on a hard, smooth surface.

2. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

3. Remove wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

M94180

4. Put speed selector lever (A) in reverse R2 position.

M94193

5. Tip machine forward onto housing (B).

M86553

6. Remove two bolts (C) and loosen two bolts (D) to remove access panel (E).

M86569

7. Loosen both lock nuts (F) on the shift lever linkage.

M86570

8. Slide hex shaft (H) to the right. Roll pin (G) will be up against the side frame. Hold shaft in the position.

9. Slide friction disk (I) to the left until it is up against roll pin (J).

10. Tighten both lock nuts (F) on shift lever swivel.

11. Check to make sure friction disk (I) is up against roll pin (J) and roll pin (G) is up against the side frame.

12. Check operation of shift lever linkage:

· Shift lever in "R2", the friction disk should contact roll pin (J).

· Shift lever in "6", the friction disk should not travel beyond the friction plate diameter.

13. Install access panel and return unit to its operating position.

14. Start engine and check for proper operation of the speed selector lever.

Fuel

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 approved containers and funnels.

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

· Dispose of stale or unwanted fuels correctly. DO NOT dump on ground. Add fuel to automobile fuel tank or take to a recycling center.

· DO NOT use METHANOL gasoline. METHANOL is harmful to the environment and to your health.


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 1.9 L (2 Quarts).

Using Clean Fuels

Dirt in the fuel system is a major cause of performance problems. Be sure to clean the top of the tank before removing lid. Use of a PLASTIC funnel with a plastic mesh strainer when filling the tank will prevent most foreign material from entering the tank.

Octane Rating

Regular grade 87 octane unleaded fuel is recommended for use in your snowblower. Higher octane fuels will seldom make your snowblower perform better. If your snowblower develops a starting or performance problem immediately after use of new fuel, change supplier or fuel brand. If the problem still exists after switching fuel, see your John Deere dealer for service.

Fuel Blends

Fuels are blended to give peak performance during cold weather and warm weather. For cold weather, gasoline is specially blended to provide better starting capabilities. However, avoid prolonged storage of cold-weather blended fuel because it will evaporate more quickly. You may experience longer cranking times in cold weather with "old" fuel. Buy smaller amounts of cold-weather blended fuel in winter.

Fuels used during the summer are not required to provide improved starting properties so they are blended differently. As a result, you may experience hard starting or other performance problems during cold weather if you use fuel remaining from summer uses.

Oxygenated or Reformulated Fuels

Many areas are now required to add "oxygenates" (either alcohol or ether) which blend oxygen into the fuel to help reduce exhaust emissions. If you use oxygenated fuel be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement. DO NOT use fuel that contains methanol to avoid producing excess emissions.

Although fuels blended with alcohol or ether allow your engine to run cleaner, they may contribute to fuel system damage and performance problems by causing gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for several weeks or more.

Using clean, fresh fuel will help to prevent damage to the fuel system and will help maintain peak engine performance. If engine performance problems occur, use fuel from another supplier before suspecting machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and changing suppliers will generally solve any performance problems.

Using Fresh Fuel and Stabilizers

The best thing you can do to ensure peak performance of your engine is to use "fresh" fuel. Your snowblower's engine will perform well with most good-quality fresh fuels regardless of additives. Any fuel will begin to deteriorate and evaporate over time and begin to form gum and varnish deposits in the fuel system. Help to avoid this by buying only enough fuel to last approximately 30 days or add fuel stabilizer immediately.

Adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel system is recommended any time the snowblower will not be operated for more than 60 days. Varnish deposits may build up in the carburetor in as little as a few weeks by using stale, oxygenated fuel.

No stabilizer will work with "stale" fuel, any fuel that is more than 30 days old. (See Preparing Your Snowblower For Storage in this section for information on adding stabilizer to the fuel.)

Filling Fuel Tank


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and water in fuel are major causes of engine performance problems. Prevent dirt and debris from entering the fuel tank when filling. Fill the tank at the end of each day's operation to help keep condensation out of the fuel tank.

M94189

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

2. Remove any dirt and debris from tank area.

3. Remove fuel tank cap.

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

Approximate fuel tank capacity:

724D - 1.9 L (2 Qts.)

826D - 3.8 L (4 Qts.)

5. Install fuel tank cap.

Cleaning Fuel Cap Vents

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before cap is removed:

· Stop engine, let engine cool.

· DO NOT smoke while working on fuel system.

1. Remove cap from fuel tank.

M62527

2. Inspect vent (A):

· Clean in nonflammable solvent.

3. Install cap.

Changing Headlight Light Bulb (Optional Equipment)

1. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop.

M94180

2. Move controls to get more hand room under console:

· Move shift lever (A) to the "R2" position.

NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the green wire (C) or the black wire (D) to remove the light bulb holder.

M86595a

3. Turn light bulb holder (B) counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn and remove it from the headlight.

M86596

4. Turn light bulb (E) counter -clockwise 1/4 of a turn and remove it from the holder.

5. Remove and replace defective light bulb (E).

6. Install light bulb holder (B). Turn clockwise 1/4 of turn to tighten.