Operating

Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 25-100 mm (1-4 in). When lift lever is in transport position, cutting height is approximately 100 mm (4 in).

1. Put lift lever in transport position.

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2. Turn cutting height knob (A) to desired cutting height. Mower will be at that cutting height when it is lowered.

3. Adjust mower wheels.

Adjusting Mower Deck Wheels

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 on a level surface. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Move lift lever to the transport position and adjust cutting height.

4. Move lift lever to the mowing position.

NOTE: Bottom of wheels should be approximately 3-13 mm (1/8-1/2 in.) from the ground.

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5. Check mower wheel position. Remove bolt (E) and nut (F) on wheels and move wheels to proper hole.

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6. Install bolts and nuts and tighten to 34 N·m (25 lb-ft).


Hole	42 Rear Discharge
A	64 mm (2.5-In.) and above
B	51 mm (2-In.)
C	38 mm (1.5-In.)
D	25 mm (1-In.)

Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)

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

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

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (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. Position mower blades as follows and measure from each outside blade tip to the level surface:

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· Turn blade (A) as shown. Take measurement. Rotate blades 90° so that blade (B) is positioned as shown. Take measurement.

NOTE: Cutting height can closely match knob setting by adjusting lift links on both sides of deck.

Deck will not lock in Transport position if adjusted too high.

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6. Adjust lift links by turning nut (C) clockwise to raise right side of mower, counterclockwise to lower right side of mower.

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. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in).

4. Put lift lever in mowing position.

5. Turn right blade so blade tip points straight forward.

6. Measure from each blade tip to the surface:

· The difference between front and rear blade tip measurements must be between 6 to 9 mm (1/4 to 3/8 in).

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7. Turn front adjuster nut (A) clockwise to raise front of mower deck or counterclockwise to lower front of mower deck.

8. Measure blade tips again and adjust if necessary.

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 Mower Engagement Lever Switch

1. Sit on the seat.

2. Lock the park brake.

CONSOLE

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. Sit on seat.

2. Lock the park brake.

CONSOLE

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Start engine and move throttle lever (B) to half-speed position.

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

6. Move throttle lever to fast speed position.

7. Raise up off of seat, but do not get off tractor.

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

Testing Park Brake Switch

1. Sit on seat.

2. Unlock the park brake.

CONSOLE

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Try to start engine.

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

Testing Brake Pedal Switch

1. Sit on seat.

2. Push brake pedal down.

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Put transmission in N (neutral).

CONSOLE

5. Start engine and move throttle lever (B) to fast speed position.

6. Release brake pedal slowly.

7. Raise up off of seat, but do not get off tractor.

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

Testing Park Brake

CONSOLE

1. Shut the engine off and lock the park brake (A).

2. Put transmission in N (neutral).

3. Try to push machine manually. Use free-wheeling lever on units with an automatic transmission.

Result: Park brake must prevent machine from moving. If machine moves, parking brake needs to be adjusted.

Testing 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.

1. Start engine.

2. Engage attachment.

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

4. Begin reverse travel by depressing reverse foot pedal.

Result: Attachment and engine should stop operation. If attachment 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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1. Push and hold brake pedal (A) down.

2. Pull park brake lever (B) up 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. Push park brake lever down to unlock park brake.

3. Release brake pedal.

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.

1. Push down brake pedal.

2. Check engine starting conditions:

CONSOLE

· If engine is cold:

Move throttle lever (A) to the half-speed position and pull out choke knob (B). Gradually push in the choke knob as engine warms up.

· If engine is warm:

Pull out choke knob (B). Push choke knob in as soon as the engine starts.


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.

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

4. 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.

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

Stopping Engine

CONSOLE

1. Move throttle lever (A) into slow position and let engine idle for a few seconds.

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2. Turn key to STOP position (B). Engine will stop and headlights will turn off.

3. Lock the park brake.

4. Remove key.

Using Headlights

NOTE: Headlights will drain the battery rapidly if key switch is left in headlights position (B) without the engine running.

M94336a

A - STOP Position

B - Headlights `ON' Position

C - Run Position

D - Start Position

Turning Headlights ON/OFF (Engine OFF)

· ON - Turn keyswitch to headlights `ON' position (B) - lights will turn on. However, this will drain the battery rapidly, so do not leave headlights on for periods longer than 1 - 2 minutes.

· OFF - Turn keyswitch to STOP position (A) - lights will turn off.

Turning Headlights ON/OFF (Engine RUNNING)

· ON - Start engine, then turn keyswitch from run position (C) to headlights `ON' position (B) - lights will turn on.

· OFF - Turn keyswitch from headlights position (B):

· to run position (C) - lights will turn off and engine will continue to run.

· to STOP position (A) - lights and engine will turn off.

Using Travel Pedals on Automatic Transmission

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.

To travel forward:

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1. Push down the forward travel pedal (A).

To travel in reverse:

NOTE: The engine and mower will stop as the reverse pedal is pushed if the mower engagement lever is not in the off position.

1. Put mower engagement lever in the off position.

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

M99486

3. Push down the reverse travel pedal (B).

To stop travel:

Push down brake pedal (C). Travel pedals will return to the neutral position.

Using The Reverse Implement Option (RIO)

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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3. Push and hold in the reverse implement switch (A) while depressing reverse foot pedal slightly.

NOTE: If the engine and mower stop while repositioning the machine, return the mower engagement lever 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 Lift Lever

MOWING (FORWARD) POSITION

Maintains cutting height previously set.

Use when mowing in extremely rough terrain. Mower is locked in lowest position.

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1. Pull lift lever (A) back slightly.

2. Push in button (B).

3. Push lever completely forward until it latches down.

FLOAT (MIDDLE) POSITION

Mower floats along ground contour while maintaining desired cutting height.

TRANSPORT (BACK) POSITION

Holds mower above ground level while traveling to and from worksite.

M88612

1. Push forward on lift lever (A) slightly.

2. Push in button.

3. Pull lever back until it latches and mower stays up.

Using Mower Engagement Lever

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

CONSOLE

2. Move lift lever (A) forward to the mowing position.

3. Push throttle lever (B) up to the full throttle position.

4. Push mower engagement lever (C) forward to start mower.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The mower engagement lever is spring-assiste. Damage may occur to the lever components if the lever snaps back when disengaging. Hold firmly onto the lever when disengaging.

5. Pull lever (C) back to stop mower.

Pushing Machine


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.

CONSOLE

1. Unlock the park brake (A).

2. Put transmission in N (neutral).

M97199

Picture Note: Free-wheeling lever is located in front of left rear tire.

3. Pull out on free-wheeling lever (B).

4. Push machine to desired location.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The transmission might be damaged if the free-wheeling lever is not pushed back in completely before attempting to start the engine. DO NOT start or operate the machine with the free-wheeling lever pulled out.

5. Push free-wheeling lever back in.

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 Wheel Weights

· Install front wheel weights for added stability and steering control when you use equipment such as the rear-mounted grass bagger.

· Install rear wheel weights when using the front blade.

· Remove wheel weights when not required.

Installing Tire Chains


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Loose tire chains can cause machine damage. Periodically check chain tightness and adjust as necessary.

NOTE: Chains are available from your John Deere dealer.

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

2. Lay chains out flat with the cross chain hook ends facing downward.

3. Remove any twists and tangles from cross chain and rim chain.

4. Drive machine onto chains.

M73743

5. Drape chain over tire with the lever fastener on outside of tire and cross link hooks (A) facing upward and away from tire.

6. Adjust chain for straightness and an even amount of cross chain links on each side of tire.

7. Place the first cross chain (opposite the end with fastener and inside hook) under tire.

8. Pull the inside rim chain tight and hook the inside hook.

9. Pull the outside rim chain tight and hook the outside lever fastener (B) by running the end through a free link (C).

M73744

10. Close the fastener by rotating it back 180 degrees and engaging the hook (D) on the end of the fastener into a rim chain link (E).

Make sure the chain is centered on the tire with approximately the same number of free rim links (F) on the inside and outside.

NOTE: The chain should be as tight as possible. If chain is loose, unhook the fastener and pull chain tight again.

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11. Tie excess rim chain links (G) back to the rim chain.

12. Drive forward on chains 9-12 m (30-40 ft.) and recheck for tightness. Adjust as necessary.

Using Grass Collector

1. Listen for audible signal to sound. This indicates that the grass collector is full.

NOTE: The engine and mower blades will STOP if the mower engagement lever is not DISENGAGED before emptying the grass collector.

CONSOLE

2. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage mower blades and stop audible signal.

3. Drive to dumping location and stop tractor.

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4. Push down on knob (B) to open grass collector bucket.

5. Drive forward away from grass pile to empty grass clippings.

M99499

6. Push down on bucket handle (C) until bucket locks in the closed position.

7. Adjust fill sensor if more or less grass collection is desired.

Adjusting Grass Collector Fill

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

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Stop engine, remove key, wait for all moving parts to stop before servicing machine.

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2. Open grass collector bucket and locate fill sensor (A).

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3. Move latch (B) up or down to adjust audible sound for desired fill.

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4. Use decal as a guide to adjust grass collector fill if desired:

· If fill is too low (C), LOWER latch (B) to begin audible sound with MORE fill.

· If fill is too high (D) or if collector plugs, RAISE latch (B) to begin audible sound with LESS fill.

Adjusting Grass Collector Latch

MIF

· Add washers (B) between latch brackets (C) and collector back plate (A) to tighten latch and sealing capability.

· Remove washers to loosen latch and sealing capability.

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.

Bagging Tips

For best performance, grass collector needs good airflow. To help increase airflow:


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Don't leave clippings in grass collector's bucket: Damp clippings are a fire hazard.

· Keep underside of deck and chute clean.

· Keep screens on grass collector bucket clean.

· Cut grass high.

· Mow at fulthrottle.

· Clean grass collector after each use with water from garden hose. (See Cleaning Mower Deck and Grass Collector in Service-Miscellaneous section.) Let bucket dry before use.