Operating

Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 25-100 mm (1-4 in). When mower deck is raised to highest (transport) position, cutting height is approximately 100 mm (4 in).

1. Check tire pressure and adjust as needed.

2. Push lift pedal (A) to raise mower deck to highest (transport) position.

MX7546

3. Turn mower cutting height knob (B) to desired cutting height. Mower will be at that approximate cutting height when it is lowered.

4. Lower mower deck.

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5. Check that the actual height of cut matches the reading on the cutting height knob. If they do not match, adjust lift links (C) on both sides of mower.

· Turn nuts (D) on both sides clockwise to raise the mower deck to match the cutting height knob.

· Turn nuts (D) on both sides counterclockwise to lower the mower deck to match the cutting height knob.

6. Check side-to-side mower level.

7. Adjust mower deck wheels.

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8. Raise mower deck to highest (transport) position and pull up lever (E) to lock deck.

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9. If lever does not lock, lower the mower deck, and adjust lift links (C).

a. Turn nuts (D) on both sides one turn counterclockwise to lower the mower deck.

b. Check that lever locks when mower deck is in the transport position.

c. Repeat until lever locks in highest (transport) position.

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 level surface.

2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.

3. Raise mower deck to transport (highest) position and adjust cutting height.

4. Lower mower deck to 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), washer (F), and nut (G) on all wheels and move wheel with bushing (H) to proper hole.

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Hole	38 and 42C	Freedom42
A	64 mm (2.5-in.) and above	76 mm (3-in.) and above
B	51 mm (2-in.)	64 mm (2.5-in.)
C	38 mm (1.5-in.)	51 mm (2-in.)
D	25 mm (1-in.)	38 mm (1.5-in.)

6. Install bolts and nuts and tighten to specification.

Specifications:

38-Inch 39 N·m (29 lb-ft.)

42C 37 N·m ( (27 lb-ft.)

Freedom42 37 N·m (27 lb-ft.)

Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)

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

1. Park machine safely on level surface.

2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 51 mm (2 in).

4. Lower mower deck.

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

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

5. Position mower blades as follows and measure from each outside blade tip (B) to the level surface:

BLADE4

· 38-inch and 42C mowers:

Turn left blade (C) and right blade (D) as shown. Take measurement for both blades.

MIF

Picture Note: Underside of deck shown.

· Freedom42 mulching mower:

Turn blade (E) as shown. Take measurement. Rotate blades 90° so that blade (F) is positioned as shown. Take measurement.

NOTE: Mower deck's cutting height may need to be adjusted to match mower height control knob setting.

MX7559c

6. Adjust lift links (G) on both sides of mower by turning nut (H) clockwise to raise side of mower, counterclockwise to lower side of mower.

NOTE: Deck will not lock in transport position if adjusted too high.

7. If lift latch handle does not lock, lower the mower deck, and turn nut (H) on each side of deck one turn counterclockwise to lower the deck.

8. Check if latch handle is locked and repeat step until latch handle locks in transport (highest) position.

Adjusting Mower Level (Front-to-Rear)

NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact the ground (level surface) during leveling.

1. Park machine safely on level surface.

2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 51 mm (2 in).

4. Lower mower deck.

NOTE: You need to measure only one blade.

5. Turn blade so tip points straight forward.

M40137a

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

6. Measure the distance (A) from blade tip to the ground (level surface):

· 38-Inch and 42C decks:

The front blade tip must be 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.) lower than rear blade tip.

· Freedom42 mulching mower:

The difference between front and rear blade tip measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in).

MX7558

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

8. Measure blade tip again and adjust if necessary.

Testing Safety Systems

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Lock the park brake.

MX7542

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

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Lock the park brake.

MX7542

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

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

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

7. Move throttle lever (B) to fast speed position.

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

2. Sit on seat.

MX7542

3. Unlock the park brake (A).

4. Pull mower engagement lever (B) back to disengage.

5. Try to start engine.

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

Testing Brake/Clutch Pedal Switch (For Units With Manual Transmission)

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

2. Sit on seat.

MX7543

3. Push brake/clutch pedal (A) down.

4. Pull mower engagement lever (B) back to disengage.

5. Put transmission in N (neutral).

6. Start engine and move throttle lever to fast speed position.

7. Release brake/clutch pedal (A) slowly.

8. 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 Brake Pedal Switch (For Units With Automatic Transmission)

1. Sit on seat.

2. Push brake pedal down.

CONSOLE

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

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

5. Release brake pedal slowly.

6. 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

MX7542

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

2. Lock the park brake (A).

3. Put transmission in N (neutral) on units with manual transmission.

4. Engage free-wheeling lever on units with automatic transmission.

5. Try to push machine manually.

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

Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO)

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

2. Start engine.

3. Engage PTO to start attachment.

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.

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

5. Begin reverse travel by depressing reverse foot pedal for automatic transmission or moving gear shift lever to R (reverse) position for gear transmission.

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

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders may attempt to move or operate an unattended machine.

Always lock the park brake and remove the key before leaving the machine unattended.

Locking park brake:

MX7544

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

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

1. Push down brake pedal.

2. Check starting conditions:

MX11162

· If engine is cold:

Move throttle lever (A) all the way forward to the choke position (B).

· If engine is warm:

Move throttle lever (A) to the half-speed 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.

M94336a

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

MX11162

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

M94336a

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 (with Engine Off)

· On

Turn key switch to Headlights On Position (B). However, leaving key in this position will rapidly drain battery. Turn headlights off after 1-2 minutes.

· Off

Turn key switch to STOP Position (A).

Turning Headlights On/Off (With Engine On)

· On

Start engine. Turn key switch from Run Position (C) to Headlights On Position (B).

· Off

Turn key switch from Headlights On Position (B) to Run Position (C). Lights will turn off but engine will continue to run.

Turn key switch from Headlights On Position (B) to STOP Position (A). Lights and engine will turn off.

Using Travel Controls on Manual 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.


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

To travel forward:

MX7543

1. Push clutch/brake pedal (A) all the way down to stop machine.

2. Move shift lever (B) to desired travel speed.

3. Release clutch/brake pedal slowly.

To travel in reverse:

MX7543

1. Push clutch/brake 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 lever is not in the off position.

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

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

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

5. Release clutch/brake pedal slowly.

To stop travel:

Push down clutch/brake pedal.

Using Travel Pedals on Automatic Transmission

To travel forward:

M99486

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

To travel in reverse:

NOTE: When you push the revese pedal, the engine and mower will stop if the mower engagement lever is in the on position.

1. Pull mower engagement lever to 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)

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 implement (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.

MX7542a

3. For automatic transmission, push and hold in the reverse implement button (A) while depressing reverse foot pedal.

For manual transmission, push and hold in the reverse implement button (A) while moving gear shift lever to R (reverse) position.

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. As the machine begins to move backward, release the reverse implement button and reposition the machine.

5. Resume forward travel. The implement (attachment) should continue operating.

6. Repeat procedure to position the machine again.

Using Mower Lift Pedal

Raising Mower Deck:

MX7548

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

2. Pull up lever (B) to lock mower deck in the transport position.

3. Release lift pedal. Pedal should stay down and lever should stay locked.

Lowering Mower Deck:

MX7548

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

2. Push down lever (B) to unlock.

3. Release lift pedal to lower mower deck to the set cutting height.

Using Mower

1. Start engine and run at half-speed position for a couple of minutes to warm up.

2. Adjust cutting height.

3. Lower mower deck.

MX7542

4. Push throttle lever (A) to full throttle position.

5. Push mower engagement lever (B) forward to start mower.


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

NOTE: Mower and engine will stop if you press reverse pedal while mower is engaged.

6. Pull lever (B) back to stop mower blades.

Pushing Machine (Using Free-Wheeling Lever)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! With the free-wheeling valve open, the machine will have unrestricted motion.

· The machine may free-wheel out of control if the free-wheeling valve is opened with the machine on an incline.

· Park the machine on a level surface before opening the free-wheeling valve.


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

MX7542

1. Unlock the park brake (A).

2. For gear transmission, put transmission in N (neutral).

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3. Pull out free-wheeling lever (B) at rear of machine.

4. Push machine to desired location.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The transmission might be damaged if the free-wheeling lever is not pushed back to operating position before attempting to start the engine. Do not start or operate the machine with the free-wheeling lever in the push position.

5. Push in free-wheeling lever.

Transporting Machine on Trailer

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

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

· Park trailer on a level surface.

· Use of a trailer with sides is recommended.

· Keep wheels away from drop-offs and edges.

· Back slowly and in a straight line.


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

1. Park trailer on level surface.

2. Drive machine onto heavy-duty trailer.

3. Lower mower to trailer deck.

4. Lock park brake.

5. Turn off machine and remove key.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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. The suggested finished cut height range is 44 to 70 mm (1.75 to 2.75 in.).

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

· When using the Freedom42 Mulching Mower: Shorter cut heights will provide better cut quality, but may leave noticeable clippings. Higher cut heights will reduce clippings, but cut quality may decline.

· Do not mow wet grass. Wet cutting conditions will not adversely affect the cutting performance of the Freedom42 Mulching Mower.

· 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.

MIF

· When using the Freedom42 deck: Mow around the outside twice, then mow inside in straight passes. Best cut is achieved when mowing in a straight line.

P000149

· When mulching near pavement, overlap the pavement by 50 mm (2 in.) to allow clippings to dispense over grass.

· 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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