Operating

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! When you raise or lower seat:

· Stand on left side of Front Mower.

· Put right hand only on the cut-out hand-hold area on rear of seat base.

M56891

1. To raise seat, lift rear of seat base at the cut-out hand-hold area (A) to latch seat in the first or second position.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury!

When you lower the seat, be careful not to pinch your hand between seat platform and Front Mower frame.

M47993

2. To lower seat, lift rear of seat slightly at the cut-out hand-hold area and push and hold lever (B) forward.

3. Lower seat slowly to avoid pinching your hand between seat platform and Front Mower frame.

Testing Safety Systems

M199903121420136

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.

Checking Indicator Lights

M62309

1. Turn key to RUN position.

NOTE: Indicator light (C) will come on only when fuel level is low.

2. Check to see if indicator lights (A) and (B) come on.

Result: If one indicator does not light, see Replacing Indicator Light Bulb in Service - Electrical section. If new indicator bulb does not light or no indicators work, see your John Deere dealer.

Testing Brake Switch

1. Unlock park brake and release brake pedal.

2. Turn key to START position.

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

Testing PTO Switch

1. Depress brake pedal, or lock park brake.

2. Put PTO switch lever in ON position.

3. Turn key to START position.

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

Testing Seat Switch

Test One

1. Start engine. Run engine at low or half speed.

2. Unlock park brake and release brake pedal.

3. Put PTO switch lever in ON position.

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

NOTE: PTO will remain engaged.

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

Test Two

1. Disengage PTO.

2. Start engine.

3. Unlock brake.

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

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

Test Three

1. Disengage PTO.

2. Start engine.

3. Lock park brake.

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

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

Using Fuel Shut-Off Valve

M61962

1. Turn knob (A) in line with fuel line to open fuel shutoff valve.

M47999

2. Turn knob (A) sideways to close the fuel shutoff valve.

Using Key Switch

M47996

1. Turn key (A) straight ahead to the off position.

2. Turn key to the run position: Two indicator lights should go on.

3. Turn key to the start position to start the engine.

Using PTO Switch Knob

M47996

1. Pull knob (A) up to engage PTO.

2. Push knob (A) down to disengage PTO.

Using The Park Brake

Locking the Park Brake

M47996

1. Move the park brake lock lever (A) forward to the locked position.

M56892

2. Push the brake pedal (B) down to lock the brake.

Unlocking the Park Brake

M56892

1. Push the brake pedal (A) down.

M47992

2. Move the park brake lever (B) to the rear to the unlocked position.

3. Release pedal.

Using The Brake Pedal As Emergency Stop

M56892

1. Push brake pedal (A) down. When you push the pedal down, travel pedals (B) will return to the neutral position and PTO will stop.

2. Hold pedal down or lock the park brake before starting the engine.

Moving Front Mower With Engine Off (Free-Wheeling Lever)


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not tow Front Mower or you may damage the transmission. Before starting engine to move mower, pull free-wheeling lever completely rearward to release button. Reduced motion or no forward motion when operating vehicle may indicate button is not released fully.

1. Lift seat platform to the second position.

M79023

2. Push free-wheeling lever (A) forward to hold release button (B) down.

3. Lower seat before you move the Front Mower.

M47726

4. Unlock the park brake (C).

5. Move Front Mower to the desired location.

Using Weight Transfer Pedal

The weight transfer cable on the mower must be changed to different positions, depending on cut height range, see label (B) on mower deck.

NOTE: Use pedal only when you need more uphill traction. Do not use in downhill travel.

M56892

1. Push weight transfer pedal (A) down to help improve uphill traction.

M56945

2. Reference the label (B) by the mower deck height indicator and connect weight transfer cable to the appropriate hole.

Using The Throttle Lever

M47992

1. Push the throttle lever (A) forward to the fast position. Operate the mower with lever in this position.

2. Move lever to the rear to the slow position. Do not run engine at slow throttle any longer than necessary.

3. Move lever all the way forward to the choke position to start the engine.

4. Pull lever back as the engine warms.

Using The Hour Meter

The hour meter (A) records the number of hours the engine has run.

M47996

1. Check the hour meter to determine when the Front Mower needs service.

Using Indicator Lights


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If indicator lights red when engine is running, stop engine immediately, or engine may be seriously damaged from lack of lubrication. · Before you run engine, find and correct the cause.

M47986

A-Oil Pressure Indicator Light

· Red indicator light means oil is low and/or oil pressure is low.

· Indicator should light when you turn key switch to the on position.

· Light should go out when engine starts.

B-Low Fuel Indicator Light

· Yellow indicator light means fuel is low. Engine will run for only a short time after the light comes on.

· Light should go out when sufficient fuel is added.

C-Battery Indicator Light

· Yellow indicator light means battery is not getting enough charge from the alternator.

· Indicator should light when you turn key switch to the run position.

· Light should go out when engine starts.

Starting The Engine

NOTE: Engine will not start unless PTO is disengaged, park brake is locked or brake pedal is pushed down.

M47726

1. Lock the park brake (A).

2. Disengage PTO (B).

3. Move throttle lever (C) all the way up to the choke 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.

M61954

4. Turn key to start position (D) for no longer than five seconds.

5. Release key to run position when engine starts.

· If engine does not start, wait 10 seconds.

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

· Repeat procedure if necessary.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent engine from overheating or carbon build-up, do not slow-idle engine any longer than necessary.

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

Stopping Engine

M47996

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

2. Turn key to off position.

3. Remove key.

4. Lock the park brake (B).

Using Travel Pedals

To travel forward

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you move the Front Mower forward, check for bystanders, especially children. Serious injury or death may occur.

NOTE: Rest your heel on the foot platform for stability.

M56892

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

2. Push pedal further down to travel faster.

3. Release pedal. It will return to the neutral position and stop the Front Mower.

To travel in reverse

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you back the Front Mower, look carefully behind it, especially for children. Serious injury or death may occur.

M56892

1. Pivot foot from forward travel pedal (A) to reverse travel pedal (B).

2. Push pedal down to travel in reverse.

3. Push pedal further down to travel faster.

4. Release pedal. It will return to the neutral position and stop the Front Mower.

Changing Wheel Position

NOTE: Some Front Mowers were shipped from the factory with the drive wheels in the narrow position. When operating the Front Mower with tire chains and wheel weights, the drive wheels must be placed in the wide position.

When operating the Front Mower with tire chains and wheel weights you need to put the drive wheels in the wide position.

M85225

Check drive wheels for wide position:

· Remove plastic cap from axle.

· Measure hub. Wheel in wide position will measure distance (A), approximately 25 mm (1 in.).

· If necessary, remove drive wheel, turn it around and install in the wide position.

Adjusting Cutting Height

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you adjust mower:

· Stop engine.

· Lock park brake.

NOTE: Because mowing conditions vary, along with the condition of your mower, actual cutting height may be different than shown by pointer (B). You may have to measure height of grass in several places to learn actual cutting height.

Cutting height can be adjusted from 25-102 mm (1-4 in.).

M92975

Turn crank (A) clockwise to raise the mower and counterclockwise to lower the mower.

NOTE: When changing mower deck height, it might also be necessary to change the location of the Weight Transfer Cable. Check label (C) when changing mower deck height. This will ensure proper operation of the Weight Transfer System.

M56945

Pointer (B) shows cutting height.

Adjusting Mower Level (Side-To-Side)

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

2. Check tire pressure.

3. Use crank to put mower at desired cutting height.

4. Raise rear gage wheel to the lowest cut position (off ground).

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades may have sharp edges. Wear heavy gloves or use a rag to protect hands.

5. Turn blades to allow access from discharge chute.

M1999070708350

Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (AM130907) is available from your John Deere dealer.

6. Measure from each outside blade tip (A) to the level surface. The difference between measurements must not be more than 3mm (1/8 in.).

7. Raise and block one side of mower about 150 mm (6 in.).

M62291

8. Remove snap ring (C).

9. Remove wheel from mower.

10. Move top washer (D) to bottom position (E) to raise one side of mower.

· Move washer from bottom to top to lower one side of mower.

· Install snap ring.

Adjusting Mower Level (Front-To-Rear)

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

2. Check tire pressure.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades may have sharp edges. Wear heavy gloves or use a rag to protect hands.

3. Turn blades so blade tips point straight forward.

NOTE: Use a short ruler or leveling gauge for measuring. Order gauge from your John Deere dealer.

M40137

Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (AM130907) is available from your John Deere dealer.

4. Measure the front and rear of each blade tip to the level surface. The front blade tips must be 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.) lower than rear blade tips.

M92989

Picture Note: New Model

5. Remove spring locking pin and drilled pin (B) from yoke.

6. Turn yoke (C):

· out to lower rear of mower.

· in to raise rear of mower.

7. Install drilled pin and spring locking pin.

Adjusting Gauge Wheel

M56936

Picture Note: 48-in. - Use decal on mower as a reference.

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

2. Adjust cutting height.

3. Remove spring locking pin (A) and drilled pin (B).

4. Adjust wheel so it is 6 mm (1/4 in.) above hard surface.

5. Install pins.

Using The Mower


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The PTO clutch may be damaged if the mower is engaged with the engine is at a fast throttle speed. · Engage mower at one-third to one-half throttle.

To engage the mower:

NOTE: When mower is new or engine is not fully warmed up, you may need faster engine speed.

M47992

1. Move throttle lever (A) to one-third to one-half throttle.

2. Pull PTO knob (B) up.

3. Move throttle lever to full throttle to operate mower.

Disengaging the mower:

M47996

1. Push PTO knob (A) down.

Adjusting Weight Transfer Cable

M56919

1. Connect the weight transfer cable (A) to the mower deck attaching bracket (B). Use label (C) to determine which hole to use.

Reference the label (C) by the mower deck height indicator and connect weight transfer cable to the appropriate hole.

M56945

· Use upper hole "A" for cutting heights between 25-64 mm (1 to 2-1/2 in.).

· Use lower hole "B" for cutting heights between 64-101 mm (2-1/2 to 4 in.).

M62303

2. Attach cable with drilled pin (D) in correct hole for cutting height and install spring locking pin (E).

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.

Transporting Machine

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or a truck.

Use a heavy-duty trailer to transport your machine.

Drive machine forward onto a trailer. Lower any attachments to trailer deck.

Lock park brake. Remove the key. Block the wheels.

Fasten Front Mower 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.

Towing Loads

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Your Front Mower is not designed to pull heavy loads on slopes.

· A heavy load may cause you to lose control of steering, and may result in personal injury.

· Do not tow children in a cart or trailer. Tow only light loads slowly on level ground.

· Look for children before you back up a load.

Use drawbar to pull light trailers, carts, or other light attachments.

Do not tow more than 225 kg (496 lb) gross weight.

Tow only loads you can safely control.

Do not tow a load on a slope.