Operating

· Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure guards and shields are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments before you operate.

· Clear work area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and pets out of the work area. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

· If you hit an object, stop the machine and inspect it. Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine and attachments properly maintained and in good working order.

· DO NOT leave machine unattended when it is running.

· Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.

· Be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

· Do not wear radio or music headphones while operating the machine. Safe operation requires your full attention.

Park Safely

· Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.

· Disengage PTO.

· Engage and lock park brake.

· STOP engine.

· Remove key.

· Before you leave the operator's location, wait for engine and all moving parts to STOP.

Rotating Blades are Dangerous - Protect Children and Prevent Accidents

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PROTECT CHILDREN:

· Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay alert to the presence of children.

· Keep children in the house when you are operating the machine.

· Turn machine off if a child enters the mowing area.

· Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your vision.

· DO NOT let children or an untrained person operate the machine.

· DO NOT carry or let children ride on machine or any attachment. DO NOT tow children in a cart or trailer.

HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:

· Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.

· Back carefully. Shut off PTO and look behind the machine carefully, especially for children, before you back up.

· DO NOT mow in reverse unless it is absolutely necessary.

· Shut off PTO when you are not mowing.

· DO NOT operate machine if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Operator Training Required

· Study operation section of this manual before operating the machine.

· Operate machine in an open, unobstructed area under the direction of an experienced operator.

· Learn the use of all controls.

· Operator experience is required to learn the moving, stopping, turning and other operating characteristics of the machine.

Avoid Tipping

· DO NOT operate machine without front attachment installed.

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· DO NOT drive where machine could slip or tip.

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· Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards in the terrain.

· Keep away from drop-offs.

· Slow down before you make a sharp turn or operate on a slope.

· MOW ACROSS A HILL-NOT UP AND DOWN. Be careful when you change direction on a slope.

· DO NOT stop when going up or down a hill. If machine stops going up hill, STOP PTO and back down slowly.

· DO NOT mow wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

Operate Mower Safely on Slopes

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If an operator is uneasy mowing on a specific slope, DO NOT mow it.

· MOW ACROSS SLOPES-NOT UP AND DOWN.

· Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

· Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn this machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

· Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. DO NOT make sudden changes in speed or direction.

· Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the mower blades and proceed slowly and gradually down the slope.

· DO NOT turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

· DO NOT mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a ditch, or if an edge caves in.

· DO NOT mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

· DO NOT try to stabilize this machine by putting your foot on the ground.

Keep Riders Off

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· Only allow the operator on the machine. Keep riders off the machine.

· Riders on the machine may be struck by foreign objects or thrown off the machine causing serious injury.

· Riders obstruct the operator's view resulting in the machine being operated in an unsafe manner.

Transport Safely

· Use safety lights and devices. Slow moving machines when driven on public roads are hard to see, especially at night. Avoid personal injury or death resulting from a collision with a vehicle.

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· Flashing warning lights are recommended whenever driving on public roads to increase visibility. Extra flashing warning lights may need to be installed.

· A safety lighting kit is available from your John Deere dealer.

Avoid High Pressure Fluids

· Hydraulic hoses can fail due to physical damage, kinks, age, and exposure. Check hoses regularly. Replace damaged hoses.

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· Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure.

· Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard. Protect hands and body from high pressure fluids.

· If an accident occurs, see a doctor immediately. Any fluid injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours or gangrene may result. Doctors unfamiliar with this type of injury should reference a knowledgeable medical source. Such information is available from Deere & Company Medical Department in Moline, Illinois, U.S.A. Information may be obtained in the United States and Canada only by calling 1-800-822-8262.

Stay Clear of Rotating Drivelines

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Entanglement in rotating driveline can cause serious injury or death:

· Wear close fitting clothing.

· STOP the engine and be sure PTO driveline is stopped before getting near it.

Check Wheel Bolts

· A serious accident could occur causing serious injury if wheel bolts are not tight.

· Check wheel bolt tightness often during the first 100 hours of operation.

Raising and Lowering Cowling

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent serious personal injury. When performing any service function under the front mower cowling, make sure the support latch is locked securely in the channel slot.

Avoid service under the cowling when:

· Parked on a hill or slope.

· When strong, gusty winds are prevailing.

Raising the Cowling

1. Park front mower on a hard level surface.

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2. Stop engine and engage park brake.

3. Place one or both hands in position (A) on cowling.

4. Lift hood, support latch (B) will slide along slotted channel (C).

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5. When hood is fully raised, make sure support latch locks securely in channel slot (D).

Lowering the Cowling

1. Stand on the left side of the machine.

2. Move cowling slightly rearward and lift support latch (B).

3. Slowly lower cowling, support latch will slide along slotted channel (C).

Adjusting Seat

1. Sit on the operator's seat.

2. Push and hold lever (A) to the left.

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3. Slide seat forward or backward to desired position.

4. Release lever.

Using the Choke

Pull knob (A) up to CHOKE engine.

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Push knob (A) down to OPEN choke.

Using the Throttle Lever

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Push lever (A) all the way forward to FAST (r) position. Use this position when you mow.

Pull lever (A) to rear to SLOW (t) position. Do not run engine at SLOW idle any longer than necessary.

Using the Hour Meter

NOTE: The machine is equipped with an electric start. The hour meter will continue to run with the key switch left in the RUN position.

The hour meter (A) shows number of hours the machine has run.

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The service interval chart gives necessary service intervals.

Use the hour meter and service interval chart to determine when machine will need service.

(See Service Interval Chart section.)

Using the PTO Switch Knob

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Engage PTO:

1. Move throttle lever (B) to the 1/2 to 3/4 FAST (r) position.

2. Pull PTO knob (A) up.

3. Move throttle lever (B) forward to the FAST (r) position for mowing.

Disengage PTO:

· Push PTO knob (A) DOWN.

Using the Key Switch

· Turn key switch to the STOP position (A) to stop the engine.

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· Turn key switch to the RUN position (B). Engine oil indicator light should go on.

· Turn key switch to the START position (C) to start the engine.

Check Indicator Lights

Oil Pressure Indicator


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If the indicator lights RED when the engine is running, stop the engine immediately or the engine may be seriously damaged from lack of lubrication.

· The RED indicator light (A) means the oil is low and/or the oil pressure is low.

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· The indicator should light when the key switch is turned to the RUN position.

· The light should go out when the engine starts.

Battery Indicator


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If the indicator lights YELLOW when the engine is running, stop the engine. Find and correct the cause or the battery will lose power.

· The YELLOW indicator light (B) means the battery is not getting enough charge from the alternator.

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· If the battery voltage is low enough, the light will come on.

· If the battery is fully charged, the light will not come on.

Using the Park Brake Lever

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! If the engine should kill while operating on an incline, the front mower will free wheel. If this should occur, engage the park brake, start the engine, release brake and resume operation.

Setting Park Brake

· Raise park brake lever (A) to LOCK park brake.

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Picture Note: Park brake lever shown raised into the PARK "Z" position.

Release Park Brake:

· Lower park brake lever (A) to UNLOCK park brake.

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Picture Note: Park brake lever shown released and lowered from the "Z" PARK position.

Using Free-Wheeling Levers


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Help prevent transmission damage. DO NOT tow the machine, push machine by hand only.

When the machine needs to be moved WITHOUT starting the engine, use the free-wheeling levers:

1. Engage the park brake.

2. Lift and secure cowling in the open position.

3. Turn both free-wheeling levers (A) counterclockwise approximately two revolutions.

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4. Lower cowling.

5. Release park brake.

6. Push machine to desired location. Due to transmission gear reduction, machine will move slowly.

Using Fuel Shut-Off Valve

This machine is equipped with a 2-position fuel shut-off valve. Turn "Red" knob (A) right or left to open or close the fuel shut-off valve.

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1. Lift and secure cowling into an open position.

2. OPEN the fuel shut-off valve:

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· Arrow on knob should be turned downward as shown in position (B) for fuel flow to be OPEN (ON).

· Fuel shut-off valve must be in the full OPEN (ON) position for proper fuel delivery to the engine.

3. CLOSE the fuel shut-off valve:

· Arrow on knob should face upward as shown in position (C) for fuel flow to be CLOSED (OFF).

· Fuel shut-off valve should be CLOSED (OFF) when performing any type of engine service, when transporting and during periods of storage.

Using the Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge (A) shows the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank.

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Using the Control Levers

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent personal injury. Learn use of the control levers and practice at half throttle until becoming proficient and comfortable with the operation of the front mower.

DO NOT move control levers from forward to reverse or reverse to forward position rapidly. Sudden direction changes could cause loss of control or damage the front mower.

The functions of the Control Levers (A) are:

· Operates as a dual function neutral position.

· Controls forward speed and reverse motion.

· Controls direction.

Swing-Out Neutral Position

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Picture Note: Control levers shown in the swing-out neutral position.

· Control levers must be in the swing-out neutral position and the park brake engaged to start the engine.

· Forward and reverse movement of the control levers is prohibited when control levers are in a swing-out neutral position.

· Operator can exit front mower with the engine running when the control levers are in the swing-out neutral position and the park brake is engaged.

· Control levers must be in the swing-out neutral position to safely enter and exit the operator seat.

Centered Neutral Position

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Picture Note: Control levers shown in the centered neutral position.

· Front mower speed, motion, and direction can be controlled when the engine is running, control levers are in the centered neutral position, and the park brake is released.

Forward And Reverse Motion:

1. Move throttle lever to the FAST (r) position.

2. Release the park brake.

3. Move both control levers (A) from swing-out neutral inward.

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4. Pushing the control levers forward will move the front mower forward. Pulling the control levers past center rearward at the same time will move the front mower in reverse.

5. The further forward the control levers are moved, the faster the front mower will travel.

6. Speed range:

· Forward: 0-13.2 km/h (0-8.2 mph).

· Reverse: 0-9.7 km/h (0-6 mph).

7. To stop forward or reverse motion, release both control levers. The levers will automatically return to the centered neutral position and front mower motion will slow down.

8. The transmission neutral position is adjustable. If adjustment is required, see Checking and Adjusting Transmission Neutral in the Service-Transmission section.

FORWARD:

· Push both control levers forward at the same time.

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REVERSE:

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· Pull both control levers past center rearward at the same time.

GENTLE LEFT TURN:

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· Push right control lever further forward than the left control lever.

GENTLE RIGHT TURN:

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· Push left control lever further forward than the right control lever.

SHARP LEFT TURN

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· Push right control lever forward and pull left control lever rearward at the same time.

SHARP RIGHT TURN

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· Push left control lever forward and pull right control lever rearward at the same time.

Starting the Engine

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

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

· If an exhaust pipe extension is not available, open the doors and get outside air into the area.

1. Open the fuel shut-off valve:

· Lift cowling and secure into an open position.

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· Turn the knob (A) so pointer is down as shown. (See Using Fuel Shut-Off Valve in this section).

· Lower the cowling.

2. Move both control levers (B) to a swing-out neutral position.

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3. Sit on the operator's seat.

4. Engage the park brake.

· Raise lever (C) to the "Z" position.

NOTE: Check position of machine PTO switch. Switch knob (D) must be pushed down to the OFF position to start engine.

5. Move throttle lever (E) to set engine speed:

· Cold engine: set throttle lever at 1/2 to 3/4 fast position.

· Warm / Hot engine: set throttle lever in the fast (r) position.

6. Position choke knob (F):

· Cold engine: Pull knob up to the CHOKE position.

· Warm/Hot engine: If necessary, pull up knob to CHOKE position.

7. Turn key switch to the RUN position (G).

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NOTE: The battery indicator light (H) may illuminate if battery voltage is low.

8. Check that the engine oil indicator light (I) illuminates.

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9. Turn key switch to the START position (J). Release key when the engine starts.

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10. With engine started:

· Push choke knob to the OFF position.

· Move throttle lever to the desired engine speed.

Stopping the Engine


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent engine backfiring, throttle lever should be set at the 1/2 to FAST (r) position prior to stopping the engine. DO NOT stop engine when mower is on a slope of more than 30° for an extended period of time. Oil may run through valve train into carburetor and muffler.

1. Release control levers (A) to a centered neutral position.

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2. Move throttle lever (B) to a 1/2 - FAST (r) position.

3. Turn key switch to "STOP" position (C).

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4. Engage park brake (D).

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5. Remove key.

Transporting Machine

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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! DO NOT operate the front mower with the mower deck raise-to-service lever (A) unlatched. Operation in reverse direction on an uneven surface may cause the mower deck to unexpectedly rotate up trapping the operator on the machine and expose bystanders to mower deck blades.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Front mower cowling must be secured in front with straps or rope if it is necessary to transport the machine on a trailer facing straight ahead. Cowling may unexpectedly lift up and become damaged.

· Use a heavy-duty trailer to transport your machine.

· BACK front mower onto a trailer.

· Stop engine and engage park brake.

· To reduce the overall length of the front mower, the mower deck can be rotated into a 90 degree trailer transport position. (See Rotating Mower Deck in the Service Mower section of the mower deck operator's manual.)

· Fasten machine to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Both front and rear straps must be directed down and outward from machine.

· Trailer must have signs and lights required by law.

Testing the Safety Interlock System

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent serious personal injury. NEVER attempt to disconnect or alter any part of the safety interlock system.

Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death:

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

· If an exhaust pipe extension is not available, open the doors and get outside air into the area.

NOTE: This unit is equipped with a Electronic Safety Interlock. Engine will not start unless the PTO switch is in the disengaged position, the control levers are in the swing-out neutral position and the park brake lever is in the "Z" position.

Use the following checkout procedures to check for normal operation.

If there is a malfunction during one of these procedures, DO NOT operate machine. (See your John Deere dealer)

Perform these tests in a clear open area. Keep bystanders away.

TEST 1

1. Sit on the operator's seat with the control levers (A) in the swing-out neutral position.

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2. Raise park brake lever to the "Z" position.

3. Pull PTO switch up to the ENGAGED position.

4. Turn key switch to the START position (B).

5. Engine must NOT crank.

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Test 2

1. Sit on the operator's seat with the control levers (A) in the swing-out neutral position.

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2. Push PTO switch down to the DISENGAGED position.

3. Release the park brake lever.

4. Turn key switch to the START position (B).

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5. Engine must NOT crank.

Test 3

1. Move both control levers (A) inward to the centered neutral position.

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2. Raise park brake lever to the Z position.

3. Push PTO switch down to the DISENGAGED position.

4. Turn key switch to the START position (B).

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5. Engine must NOT crank.

Test 4

1. Start the engine.

2. Release the park brake lever.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before engaging mower, clear area of bystanders, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.

3. Pull PTO switch up to ENGAGED position.

4. Raise slightly off the seat.

5. Engine must stop.

Daily Operating Checklist

Maintain desirable operational standards and help ensure the safety of the operator by routinely checking the following on a daily basis:

· Test safety systems.

· Check fuel level.

· Check engine oil level.

· Remove grass and debris from machine.

Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces

· Insect repellent spray may damage plastic and painted surfaces. DO NOT spray insect repellent near the machine.

· Be careful not to spill fuel on the machine. Fuel may damage surface. Wipe up spilled fuel immediately.