Operating

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower:

· Disconnect spark plug wire(s) to prevent engine from starting accidently.

· Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The mower deck can be damaged if mower wheels are adjusted wrong: · Wheels must not ride on ground supporting mower weight. · Check wheel adjustment each time cutting height is changed.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Raise lift lever to transport position and adjust cutting height.

4. Move mower lift lever to mowing position.

NOTE: Bottom of wheels should be approximately 6-13 mm (1/4-1/2 in.) from the ground.

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5. Check mower wheel position. Remove spring locking pin and drilled pin (A) and move mower wheels to proper hole.

6. Install spring locking pins and drilled pins to lock wheels in position.

Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)

NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact the ground when leveling the deck.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section).

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 65 mm (2 1/2 in).

4. Put lift lever in mowing position.

NOTE: The difference between blade measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in).

5. Turn blade parallel to axle and complete measurement.

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Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (A) is available from your John Deere dealer.

6. Measure from each outside blade tip (B) to the level surface.

NOTE: Nut (E) MUST remain tight while making adjustment.

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7. Loosen nuts (C) and (D). Do not loosen nut (E).

8. Turn leveling cam (F) to raise or lower left side of mower.

9. Measure blade tips again and adjust if necessary.

10. Tighten nut (C) first and then nut (D).

Adjusting Mower Level (Front-to-Rear)

NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact the ground during leveling.

1. Park machine safely on a level surface. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Turn blade so blade tip points straight forward.

4. Measure from the front of blade tip to the level surface. The difference between front and rear measurements must not be more than 6 mm (1/4 in).

5. Lift seat.

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6. Loosen three nuts (A).

7. Turn leveling cam (B) to raise or lower rear of mower as needed.

8. Tighten nuts (A).

9. Measure blade tips again and adjust if necessary.

10. Lower seat.

Testing Safety Systems

MIF

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death.

Move the vehicle to an outside area before running the engine.

Do not run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation.

· Connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe to direct the exhaust fumes out of the area.

· Allow fresh outside air into the work area to clear the exhaust fumes out.

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 Transmission Switch

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1. Lock park brake (A).

2. Put shift lever into gear.

3. Try to start engine.

Result: Engine must not start. If engine starts, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Mower Engagement Lever Switch

1. Sit on the seat.

2. Lock the park brake.

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3. Push mower engagement lever (A) forward to engage.

4. Try to start engine.

Result: Engine must not start. If engine starts, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Seat Switch

1. First test:

a. Start engine.

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b. Move throttle lever (A) up to maximum engine speed.

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Picture Note: SX85

c. Unlock park brake and release brake pedal (B).

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d. Engage PTO (C).

e. Raise up off seat. Do not get off tractor.

Result: Engine should begin to stop and mower blades should stop. If engine does not begin to stop and mower blades do not stop, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

2. Second test:

a. Disengage PTO (C).

b. Start engine.

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Picture Note: SX85

c. Unlock park brake and release brake pedal (B).

d. Raise up off seat. Do not get off tractor.

e. After a 1/2 second delay, engine should begin to die.

Result: Engine should begin to stop. If engine does not begin to stop, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

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3. Third test:

a. Disengage PTO (C).

b. Start engine.

c. Lock park brake.

d. Raise up off seat. Do not get off tractor.

e. Engine should continue to run.

Result: Engine should continue to run. If engine stops, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO)

1. Start engine.

2. Engage mower.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades.

Before backing up, carefully check the area around the machine.

3. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders.

4. Begin reverse travel by moving gear shift lever to R (reverse) position.

Result: Mower and engine should stop operation. If mower or engine continues to operate as tractor begins travel in reverse, do not continue to operate mower.

Using Park Brake

Locking park brake:

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Picture Note: SX85

1. Push and hold brake pedal (A) down.

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2. Move park brake lever (B) to bottom of slot to lock park brake.

3. Release brake pedal. Pedal should stay down and park brake lever should stay locked.

Unlocking park brake:

1. Push and hold brake pedal down.

2. Move park brake lever to top of slot and then to the right.

3. Release brake pedal.

Using Fuel Shut-Off Valve

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To open valve:

· Turn fuel shut-off valve (A) so that the pointer on the valve is in line with the fuel line.

To close valve:

· Move pointer on fuel shut-off valve (A) to position (B). Close fuel shut-off valve when parking or storing machine.

Starting Engine

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death.

Move the vehicle to an outside area before running the engine.

DO NOT run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation.

· Connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe to direct the exhaust fumes out of the area.

· Allow fresh outside air into the work area to clear the exhaust fumes out.

NOTE: Engine will not start unless mower is disengaged and transmission is in neutral.

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1. Open fuel shut-off valve (A).

2. Sit on operator's seat.

3. Push down brake pedal.

4. Check starting conditions.

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· If engine is cold:

Move throttle lever (B) to the choke position.

· If engine is warm:

Move throttle lever (B) to the slow position.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Starter may be damaged if starter is operated for more than 20 seconds at a time: · Wait two minutes before trying again if engine does not start.

MIF

5. Turn key to start position (C) for no longer than five seconds.

6. Release key to run position (D) when engine starts.

· If engine does not start, wait 10 seconds.

· Turn key to start position again for no longer than 5 seconds.

· Repeat procedure if necessary.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Unnecessary engine idling may cause engine damage. Excessive idling can cause engine overheating, carbon build-up, and poor performance.

7. Let engine run at half-speed position for a couple of minutes to warm-up before operating machine.

Stopping Engine

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1. Put shift lever (A) in neutral (N) position.

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2. Move throttle lever (B) to slow position. Let engine run at low throttle a few seconds.

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3. Turn key to stop position (C).

4. Lock the park brake.

5. Remove key.

Using Travel Controls (GX85)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward:

· Carefully check the area around the machine.

· Disengage the mower before backing up.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Stop machine movement before shifting between reverse and forward to prevent transmission damage.

To travel forward:

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1. Push clutch pedal (A) all the way down.

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2. Move shift lever (B) to desired travel speed. Always push in clutch pedal when shifting to different travel speed.

3. Release clutch pedal slowly.

To travel in reverse:

1. Stop forward travel.

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2. Push clutch pedal (A) all the way down.

NOTE: The engine and mower will stop as the gear shift lever is moved to R (reverse) if the mower engagement (PTO) lever is not in the off position.

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3. Put mower engagement (PTO) lever (C) in the off position.

4. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders nearby.

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5. Move throttle lever (D) to the halfway position.

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6. Move shift lever (B) to R (reverse) position.

7. Release clutch pedal slowly.

To stop travel:

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Push down clutch pedal (A) and brake pedal (E).

Using Travel Controls (SX85)

To travel forward:

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1. Move shift lever (A) to forward position.

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2. Push down accelerator pedal (B) slowly.

To travel in reverse:

1. Stop forward travel.

NOTE: The engine and mower will stop as the gear shift lever is moved to reverse if the mower engagement (PTO) lever is not in the off position.

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2. Put mower engagement (PTO) lever (C) in the off position.

3. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders nearby.

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4. Move shift lever (A) to reverse position.

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5. Push down accelerator pedal (B) slowly.

To stop travel:

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Push down brake pedal (D).

Using Mower Lift Lever

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NOTE: Move lift lever to 100 mm (4 in) when transporting machine.

1. Pull lift lever (A) slightly to the right out of slot.

2. Raise or lower lift lever to desired cutting height slot and push lever slightly to the left into slot.

Using The Reverse Implement Option (RIO)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades.

Before backing up, carefully check the area around the machine.

NOTE: Backing up while the mower is engaged is strongly discouraged. The Reverse Implement Option should be used ONLY when operating another attachment or when the operator deems it necessary to reposition the machine with the mower engaged.

1. Stop forward travel.

2. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders.

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Picture Note: SX85

3. Push and hold in the reverse implement switch (A) while moving the gear shift lever (B) to the reverse position.

NOTE: If the engine and mower stop while repositioning the machine, return the mower engagement lever (PTO) to the off position. Start engine and engage mower. Begin again with Step 2.

4. Release the reverse implement switch and reposition the machine as the machine begins to move rearward.

5. Resume forward travel. The mower should continue operating.

6. Repeat procedure to position the machine again.

Using Mower

1. Start engine and allow it to idle for two to three minutes.

NOTE: Always operate engine at fast speed when PTO is engaged.

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2. Move throttle lever (A) to fast speed position.

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3. Push mower engagement (PTO) lever (B) completely forward to position to start mower.

4. Pull mower engagement (PTO) lever completely rearward to position to stop mower.

Mower Blade Selection

· Low-Lift Blade: Should be used for cutting thin stands of grass, or in dusty or dirty conditions. Do not use for bagging.

· Medium-Lift Blade: Standard blades used on mower and are designed for bagging an average stand of grass regularly or cutting thicker grass without bagger attached.

· High-Lift Blade: Should be used for cutting and bagging thick, tall grass and/or leaves.

Unplugging Mower

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous:

· Park the machine safely and lock the park brake before getting off the seat.

· Turn the mower off.

· Stop the engine.

Before getting off the seat:

1. Stop machine.

2. Put transmission in neutral.

3. Disengage mower blades.

4. Move throttle lever to slow position.

5. Lower mower to the ground.

6. Lock the park brake.

7. Stop the engine.

8. Remove the key.

9. Wait for all moving parts to stop.

Transporting Machine on Trailer

Be sure trailer has all the necessary lights and signs required by law.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Transmission damage may occur if the machine is moved or towed incorrectly: · Move unit by hand only. · Do not use another vehicle to move unit. · Do not tow unit.

1. Drive forward onto heavy-duty trailer.

2. Lower mower to trailer deck.

3. Lock park brake.

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

5. Strap down hood.

Using Weights

Use One Front Weight Kit when:

- using bagging attachment

- towing heavy loads

NOTE: Belt slippage in 4th or 5th gear can be expected when towing heavy loads.

See your John Deere dealer for Front Weight Kit.

Mowing Tips

The following recommendations will produce the best lawn cut quality and appearance:

· Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades will tear grass; tips of grass will then turn brown.

· Cutting grass too short may kill grass and let weeds grow easily.

· Adjust cutting height to remove only 1/3 of the grass at a time.

· Mow grass often. Short grass clippings will decay quickly.

· Mow with engine at full throttle.

· Adjust travel speed to match mowing conditions:

· Travel at SLOW speed when you mow thick, tall grass, make sharp turns or trim around objects.

· Travel at MODERATE speed when you mow thin grass.

· Use a different mowing pattern each time you mow. Overlap mowing paths 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 in).

· Drive over ridges and through shallow ditches straight-on, not at an angle.

· A thick layer of mulched leave can prevent sunlight from getting to grass and smother it. Taller grass heights allow mulched leaves to dispense easier in lawn. Mulch leaves several times if needed.

· Use a thatcher in late spring or summer to pull up dead grass and aerate ground.

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