Operating
Daily Operating Checklist
· Remove grass and debris from engine compartment and muffler area, before and after operating machine.
Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces
· Do not wipe plastic parts unless rinsed first. (See Correct Cleaning Care in Service-Miscellaneous section.)
· Insect repellent spray may damage plastic and painted surfaces. Do not spray insect repellent near machine.
· Be careful not to spill fuel on machine. Fuel may damage surface. Wipe up spilled fuel immediately.
Operator Station Controls
F - Engine Oil Pressure Light (21, 23, and 25 HP models only)
A - Cut Height Adjustment Lever
Adjusting Seat
1. Tip seat forward and loosen two knobs (A) to slide seat assembly forward or rearward to most comfortable operator position.
2. Tighten knobs after adjustment to keep seat in place.
Adjusting Cutting Height
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Lift lever must be in TRANSPORT (upper) position before turning cutting height knob. |
NOTE: Adjust mower gage wheels after changing cutting height.
Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 25-100 mm (1-4 in.).
When lift lever is in transport (upper) position (lift lever completely back), cutting height is approximately 100 mm (4 in.).
Knob (A) has cutting height identification numbers embossed in it. To change or attain cutting height desired:
· Pull lift lever completely back to transport (upper) position.
· Turn cutting height knob (A) to desired cutting height position. Mower will be at this cutting height each time it is lowered.
Adjusting Mower Gage Wheels
c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before adjusting gage wheels:
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IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Mower gage wheels must not ride on ground to support mower weight. Adjust gage wheels each time cutting height is changed. |
1. Check machine tire pressure. Inflate tires to correct pressure.
2. Raise mower lift lever to transport (upper) position and adjust cutting height.
3. Remove bolt (A), bushing (B), washer (C), and tighten with nut (D).
4. Move mower gage wheels, one on each side, to one of four holes for desired position.
5. Install bolt and tighten with nut.
6. Move lift lever forward to mowing (lower) position.
7. Bottom of gage wheels should be approximately 6-13 mm (1/4-1/2 in.) from ground when properly adjusted.
Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before adjusting gage wheels:
Be careful of sharp edges on mower blades. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades. |
NOTE: A mower leveling gauge (Part Number TY15272) to aid in mower leveling may be obtained through a local John Deere dealer at a nominal cost.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety section.)
3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in.).
NOTE: Mower gage wheels should not contact ground.
4. Put mower lift lever in mowing (lower) position.
5. Turn left blade by hand parallel to machine axle. Hold drive belt and turn right blade parallel to axle.
6. Measure from each outside blade tip (A) to level surface. Difference between measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in.).
NOTE: Adjustable lift links are on both sides of mower. Cutting height can closely match knob setting by using adjustment on both sides. Do not adjust mower too high or it will not lock in transport (upper) position.
7. Turn nut (B), (left side shown): Clockwise to raise left side of mower and counterclockwise to lower left side of mower.
8. Check side-to-side measurements and adjust if necessary.
Adjusting Mower Level (Front-to-Rear)
NOTE: Mower gage wheels should not contact ground during leveling.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety section.)
2. Stop engine and remove key.
3. Tire pressure must be correct.
4. Pull lift lever completely back to transport (upper) position.
5. Turn mower depth control knob (A) to adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in.).
6. Move lift lever forward to mowing (lower) position.
7. Turn left blade so blade tip points straight forward.
8. Hold drive belt and turn right blade straight forward.
9. Measure from front of each blade tip to level surface. Front blade tips must be 6-9 mm (1/4-3/8 in.) lower than rear blade tips or blades will cut grass twice and tips will turn brown.
10. Loosen two rear nuts (B) on front lift rod assembly and turn two front nuts (C) clockwise to raise front of mower or counterclockwise to lower front of mower.
11. Tighten rear nuts (B) after adjustment is completed.
12. Check front-to-rear mower measurements and adjust if necessary.
Testing Safety Systems
Use the following checkout procedure to check for normal operation of machine.
If there is a malfunction during one of these procedures, Do not operate machine. See your John Deere dealer for service.
Perform these tests in a clear open area. Keep bystanders away.
Testing Indicator Lights
· Oil pressure light (A) on must light.
· Battery discharge light (B) will momentarily light, this indicates that system is functioning properly. If light remains on, start engine and move throttle to high idle. Light should go out.
NOTE: Battery discharge light may remain on for several minutes while battery is being charged.
3. If one indicator does not light, replace bulb.
4. If new indicator bulb does not light or no indicators work, see John Deere dealer for service.
Testing Park Brake Switch
3. Push PTO switch (B) down to disengage.
Testing PTO Switch
3. Pull PTO switch (B) up to engage.
Testing Seat Switch and PTO Switch
3. Push PTO switch (A) down to disengage.
4. Start engine and move throttle lever (B) to half-speed position.
5. Pull PTO switch (A) up to engage.
6. Move throttle lever (B) to fast speed position.
7. Raise up off of seat. Do not get off machine.
Testing Seat Switch and Brake Switch
3. Push PTO switch (A) down to disengage.
4. Release forward travel pedal (B) to N (neutral) position.
5. Start engine and move throttle lever (C) to fast speed position.
7. Raise up off of seat. Do not get off machine.
Testing Park Brake
2. Pull out free-wheeling lever.
3. Try to push machine manually.
Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO) Switch
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before moving rearward, make sure area is clear of bystanders, especially children.
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2. Engage PTO to start attachment.
3. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
4. Begin reverse travel by depressing reverse foot pedal.
Using Park Brake
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Always lock park brake before getting off machine or leaving machine unattended.
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1. Push brake pedal (A) completely down.
2. Lift park brake lever (B) up.
3. Release pedal and park brake lever. Pedal should stay down and park brake lever should stay locked in up position.
1. Push and hold brake pedal (B) down.
2. Push park brake lever (A) down to unlock park brake.
Using Headlights
Push right of light switch (A) to turn headlights ON.
Push left of light switch to turn headlights OFF.
Checking Indicator Lights and Hour Meter
· Battery discharge light (A) should go out when throttle lever is moved to high idle/mowing position. Battery discharge light may remain on for several minutes while battery is being charged.
· Oil pressure light (B) will come on when engine starts and should go out within 5 seconds.
If indicator lights stay on longer than given time, stop engine.
· Hour meter (C) shows number of hours engine has run. To display hours, key must be in on position. Check hour meter daily to see what services need to be done. (See Service Interval Chart in this manual and Maintenance Schedule in engine owner's manual.)
Starting Engine
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Start engine only outdoors or in a well ventilated place. Exhaust fumes are dangerous.
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IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not operate starter more than 20 seconds at a time. If engine does not start: Wait two minutes before trying again. See Troubleshooting section. |
NOTE: Engine will not start unless: PTO switch is disengaged, park brake is locked or brake pedal pushed down.
2. Push PTO switch (B) down to disengage.
3. Pull choke knob (F) out to on position.
4. Move throttle lever (D) to half-speed position.
5. Turn key (E) to start position.
6. When engine starts, release key to run position.
8. Let engine run for a couple of minutes to warm-up before operating machine.
Idling Engine
Picture Note: 2554HV Engine Shown
Engine is air-cooled and needs a large volume of air to keep cool. Keep air intake screen (A) on top of engine clean.
Stopping Engine
1. On models 1948HV, 2148HV and 2354HV: Move throttle lever (A) to slow position. Let engine run at low throttle a few seconds.
On model 2554HV: Move throttle lever (A) midway between slow and fast positions. Let engine run a minimum of 15 seconds.
2. Turn key (B) to off position.
Using and Stopping Automatic Transmission
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before moving forward or rearward, make sure area is clear of bystanders, especially children.
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To Travel Forward:
2. Push down forward travel pedal (A).
To Travel in Reverse:
NOTE: Engine and any operating attachment will stop as reverse pedal is depressed with attachment engaged.
2. Push PTO knob down to off position to disengage attachment.
3. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders nearby.
4. Push down reverse travel pedal (B).
For Emergency Stopping:
1. Push down on brake pedal (C). Travel pedals (A and B) will return to neutral position.
Using Lift Lever to Raise and Lower Mower
Check two different lift lever positions before operation:
· Transport (upper) position: Raises mower for transport.
· Mowing (lower) position: Maintains cutting height set by mower height control yet allows mower to float over uneven terrain.
To put mower in mowing (lower) position:
1. Pull lift lever (A) back slightly.
3. Push lever forward until it latches down.
To put mower in transport (upper) position:
1. Push down on lift lever (A) slightly.
3. Pull lever back until it latches.
Engaging Mower
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Operate mower at high idle/mowing when mowing or after mower blades are engaged. Machine may require 2-3 minutes warm-up period before engaging mower. |
2. Move throttle lever (A) to fast position.
3. Lower mower to cutting height.
4. Pull PTO switch (B) up to engage mower.
NOTE: Any operating attachment and engine will stop as reverse foot pedal is depressed with attachment engaged.
5. Disengage PTO before reversing.
Disengaging Mower
Push PTO switch (A) down to disengage mower.
If an object is hit with mower while mowing, stop mower and engine immediately. Inspect mower for damage.
Dismounting to Inspect or Unplug Mower or Optional Bagger
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do following steps before dismounting to inspect or unplug mower or bagger.
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2. Push PTO switch down to disengage mower.
3. On models 1948HV, 2148HV and 2354HV: Move throttle lever to slow position. Let engine run at low throttle a few seconds.
On model 2554HV: Move throttle lever midway between slow and fast positions. Let engine run a minimum of 15 seconds.
8. Wait for all moving parts to stop.
Pushing Machine
To move machine when engine is stopped:
2. Pull out on free-wheeling lever (B).
3. Push machine to desired location.
NOTE: Push free-wheeling lever (B) in before operating machine.
Using Reverse Implement Option
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before moving forward or rearward, make sure area is clear of bystanders, especially children.
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NOTE: Operating mower while backing up is strongly discouraged. Reverse Implement Option should be used only when operating another attachment or when operator deems it necessary to reposition machine with mower engaged.
1. Stop machine forward travel with attachment still engaged.
2. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
3. Lift and hold PTO knob (A) up past PTO engagement position to activate reverse implement position while depressing reverse foot pedal slightly.
NOTE: If engine and attachment stop while repositioning machine, return PTO knob to off position and restart machine. (See Starting Engine in this section.) Begin again with Step 2.
4. As machine begins to move backward, release PTO knob and reposition machine.
5. Resume forward travel. Attachment should continue operating.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to reposition machine again.
Using Front Weights
NOTE: Before installing wheel weights on machine, make sure that tire valve stems are facing inside.
Install front wheel weights for better stability and steering control when using equipment such as rear-mounted grass bagger or dumpcart.
Remove front wheel weights when not required.
Using Rear Wheel Weights
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! When adding weight to rear of machine, use wheel weights only, a maximum of 34 kg (75 lb) for each wheel. |
Use of rear wheel weights is recommended when an attachment, such as snowthrower or blade is used.
Using Tire Chains
Tire chains are recommended for use with snowthrower and, under certain conditions; front blade.
See John Deere dealer for tire chains.
Transporting Machine on Trailer
Be sure trailer has all the necessary lights and signs required by law.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.
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IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Transmission damage may occur if the machine is towed or moved incorrectly: |
1. Drive forward onto heavy-duty trailer.
2. Lower mower to trailer deck.
4. Machines with fuel shut-off: Turn fuel shut-off to off position.
5. Fasten machine to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Both front and rear straps must be directed down and outward from machine.