Service

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems on this engine, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any nonroad engine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized John Deere dealer.

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

MIF

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.

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

TS1417

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:

· API Service Classification GL-5.

M58275

Checking Engine Oil Level

1. Park snowblower on a level surface.

2. Clean area around dipstick.

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


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

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

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5. Add oil to bring level to the FULL mark (B) 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.

2. Clean area around oil drain plug.

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

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


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

5. Install oil drain plug and tighten.

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

· Add oil through dipstick tube.

Approximate crankcase capacity:

· 0.77 L (26 oz)

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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.

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.

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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

M96149

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.

1. Stop engine.

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2. Remove broken shear bolt (A), if necessary.

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

M78996

Check tires for wear or damage, replace as required.

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

· 828D - 138 kPa (20 psi) maximum.

· 1032D - 96 kPa (14 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.), see your John Deere dealer.

Possible engine surging will occur at high rpm when the transmission is in neutral ("N") and auger drive is disengaged. 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:

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

2. Place a small container under the carburetor.

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

4. Release drain plug.

Lubricating Auger Gearbox

M96153

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

Check gearbox fluid level:

1. Clean area around fill plug.

2. Park unit on level surface.

3. Remove plug (A).

4. Fluid level should be at oil fill plug.

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

6. Install plug.

Lubricating Auger Shaft

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

Lubricate auger shaft:

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1. Remove shear bolts (A).

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

Lubricating Internal Drive

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

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.

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4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

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


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

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6. Apply grease to hex shaft (F), pinion shaft grease fitting (G) and both drive axle grease fittings (H).

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7. Lightly apply oil to shift lever arm pivot points (I) and drive chain (J).

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8. Install access panel (D) and tighten hardware.

Lubricating Discharge Chute

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

MX1503

Lubricate discharge chute:

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

Changing Auger Drive Belt

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.

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4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

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5. Remove two bolts (B) and loosen two bolts (C) to remove access panel (D). This will prevent the access panel from being bent when unit is split.

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6. Tip unit back to it's normal position.

7. Remove quick pull pin (E) and remove chute crank rod (F).

8. Remove both cap screws and lock nuts (G), lay discharge chute assembly off to the right side of the unit.

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9. Remove two cap screws (I) to remove belt cover (H).

10. Loosen cap screw (J) just enough to loosen belt guide (K).

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11. Move belt guide enough to remove auger drive belt (L) from engine drive sheave.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent damage to engine frame and components, hold onto handlebars when removing frame bolts.

12. Lean back engine frame:

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· Place a support (N) under handlebars.

· Remove two cap screws (M) and slowly lean back engine frame.

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· Lean back engine frame only far enough to expose the auger drive belt.

· Put handle bars on support (N).

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13. Remove auger drive belt (O) and install new belt.

14. Put unit back together and tighten two cap screws (M).

15. Install auger drive belt onto engine drive sheave.

16. Check auger drive belt tension and adjust if necessary. (See Adjusting Auger Drive Belt Tension in this section).

17. Install belt guide and hardware.

18. Install belt cover and hardware.

19. Install discharge chute assembly and connect chute crank rod.

20. Install access panel.

Changing Traction Drive Belt

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.

M96156

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M96155

5. Remove two bolts (B) and loosen two bolts (C) to remove access panel (D). This will prevent the access panel from being bent when unit is split.

MX1502

6. Tip unit back to it's normal position.

7. Remove quick pull pin (E) and remove chute crank rod (F).

8. Remove both cap screws and lock nuts (G), lay discharge chute assembly off to the right side of the unit.

MX1501

9. Remove two cap screws (I) to remove belt cover (H).

MX1507

10. Loosen cap screw (J) just enough to loosen belt guide (K).

MX1506

11. Move belt guide enough to remove auger drive belt (L) from engine drive sheave.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent damage to engine frame and components, hold onto handlebars when removing frame bolts.

12. Lean back engine frame:

MX1504

· Place a support (N) under handlebars.

· Remove two cap screws (M) and slowly lean back engine frame.

· Lean back engine frame only far enough to expose the drive belts.

· Put handle bars on support (N).

13. Pull back spring loaded idler (O) and remove traction drive belt (P) from engine drive sheave. Install new belt.

MX1510

14. Put unit back together and tighten two cap screws (M).

15. Install auger drive belt onto engine drive sheave. Check auger drive belt tension and adjust if necessary. (See Adjusting Auger Drive Belt Tension in this section).

16. Install belt guide and hardware.

17. Install belt cover and hardware.

18. Install discharge chute assembly and connect chute crank rod.

19. Install access panel.

Adjusting Auger Drive Belt Tension

Auger drive belt tension should be checked 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.

MX1509

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

5. Hold down the auger drive lever in the engaged position while checking belt tension.

MX1508

6. Check drive belt deflection (C). Belt should deflect a little with moderate thumb pressure.

7. Adjust belt, If necessary:

· Loosen nut (D).

· Move pulley (E) toward belt to tighten or away to loosen. Hold pulley and tighten nut.

· Check belt deflection again.

MX1517

8. When the drive belt is properly tensioned, cable spring should extend approximately 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) (F), with auger drive lever engaged. When the auger drive lever is disengaged, pulley (E) should drop away from the drive belt.

9. Install belt cover and two cap screws.

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:

MX1514

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

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

Checking Clutch / Impeller Brake

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.

M96156

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M96155

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

6. Check clearance (H) between brake pad (G) and auger drive belt (I) on auger drive sheave (F):

M96143

· With auger drive lever (E) engaged, clearance should be approximately 1.5 mm (1/16 in.).

M79015

· With auger drive lever (E) released, the brake pad (G) must contact auger drive belt (I).

M79015

· If proper clearance can not be obtained see your John Deere Dealer.

· Install access panel.

Adjusting Chute Deflector Lever

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.

MX1517

4. Check chute deflector lever (A) and adjust if necessary.

To adjust chute deflector lever:

· If lever is too loose, tighten nut (B).

· If lever is too tight, loosen nut (B).

Adjusting Traction Drive Clutch

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

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.

M96156

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M96143

5. Put speed selector lever (B) in FIRST gear.

MX1513

6. With traction clutch lever (C) DISENGAGED, turn drive wheels by hand. Tighten adjustment nut (D) until wheels begin to drag.

7. Engage and release traction clutch lever (C) to align clutch linkage.

8. Repeat procedure as necessary.

9. When wheel drag is obtained with linkage alignment, loosen adjustment nut (D) a full three turns. Drive wheels will then turn freely.

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.

M96156

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M96143

5. Move speed selector lever (B) to the "6" (6th gear) position.

MX1515

6. Remove quick pull pin (C) from shift rod (D) and remove shift rod assembly from shift lever linkage.

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7. Push shift rod (D) into housing as far as it will go and hold it in this position until rod adjustment is made.

8. Turn adjusting link (E) until stud aligns with hole in shift linkage.

9. Install shift rod (D) into shift lever linkage and install quick pull pin (C).

10. Return unit to its operating position.

11. Start engine and check for proper operation of the speed selector lever (B).

Adjusting Drive Chain

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.

M96156

4. Tip machine forward onto housing (A).

M96155

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

MX1519

6. Drive chain (E) should be taut with little or no play in it.

7. To adjust chain tightness: Loosen nut (F) and move chain tensioner (G) up or down in slot as necessary.

8. Tighten nut (F).

9. Install access panel.

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 3.8 L (1 gal.).

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 the STORAGE 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.

M96147

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:

· 3.8 L (1 gal.)

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 vents (A):

· Clean in nonflammable solvent.

· Install cap.

Changing Headlight Light Bulb

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

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

M96143

· Move chute deflector lever (A) all the back.

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

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

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

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· Turn light bulb (F) counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn and remove it from the holder.

· Remove and replace defective light bulb (F).

· Install light bulb holder. Turn clockwise 1/4 of turn to tighten.