Introduction
Product Identification
Safety
Operating
Replacement Parts
Service Intervals
Service Lubrication
Service Engine
Service Transmission
Service Mower
Replacing Mower Drive (Primary) Belt
Replacing Mower Deck (Secondary) Belt
Checking for Bent Mower Blades
Service Electrical
Service Miscellaneous
Troubleshooting
Storage
Assembly
Specifications
Warranty
John Deere Quality Statement
Service Record
Service Mower
Removing Mower
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
2. Put lift lever in the transport position.
3. Turn mower height control knob to "0" position.
4. 54C Mower Only - Rotate all mower wheels to allow mower deck to be rolled outward away from machine:
b. Rotate mower wheel (B) 90° and align hole in wheel shaft with pin.
c. Release pin to lock mower wheel in rotated position.
c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Lift lever is spring-assisted and may have unexpected movement.
Lock the lift lever in forward position before removing or installing the mower. |
5. Lock the lift lever in forward position.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Belt tension rod is spring-assisted and under tension. Keep a secure grasp on rod at all times while releasing or applying drive belt tension.
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a. Grasp and hold tension rod (C) securely.
b. Disengage rod from retaining bracket (D).
c. Move rod as far as possible toward rear wheel to remove all belt tension.
7. Hold tension rod in the released position. Remove mower drive belt (E) from engine drive sheave.
8. Move tension rod to the latched position.
9. Pull out and push down on lever (F) to release front lift rod assembly.
10. Remove front lift rod assembly (G) from machine and mower deck.
NOTE: It may be necessary to manually lift up on rear of mower deck to pull out J-pins.
11. Pull outward on J-pins (H) at both sides of mower to disconnect draft arms.
12. Put lift lever in the transport position.
13. Slide mower deck out from under machine. Remove 54C mower from right side only.
Installing Mower
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If equipped, remove tire chains before installing mower to machine to prevent mower damage. |
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
2. Put lift lever in the transport position.
3. Turn mower height control knob to "0" position.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Lift lever is spring-assisted and may have unexpected movement.
Lock the lift lever in forward position before removing or installing the mower. |
5. Lock the lift lever in forward position.
6. Place lift arms (A) between mower lift brackets (B).
7. Release J-pin (C) to connect mower deck to lift arms. Repeat at other side.
8. Hook front lift rod assembly (D) into mower bracket.
9. Place front lift rod (E) into frame hooks so lever (F) is at left side of machine. Make sure rod is seated in frame hooks.
10. Push up lever (F) until tab (G) locks into hole in frame.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Drive belt tension rod is spring-assisted and under tension. Keep a secure grasp on rod at all times while releasing or applying drive belt tension.
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11. Remove drive belt tension rod (H) from bracket (I) and pivot rod as far as possible toward rear wheel to remove all belt tension.
12. Hold tension rod in the released position. Install mower drive belt (J) onto engine drive sheave.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Drive belt tension rod is spring-assisted and under tension. Keep a secure grasp on rod at all times while releasing or applying drive belt tension.
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13. Pivot the drive belt tension rod toward front of machine to tighten drive belt. Hook tension rod into bracket on mower.
14. 54C Mower Only - Rotate mower wheels to operating position.
15. Adjust the lift assist spring if necessary.
16. Adjust mower level front-to-rear and side-to-side.
17. Adjust mower wheels for desired cutting height.
Adjusting Lift Assist Spring
NOTE: The weight of the mower affects ease of lifting. Adjust the lift assist spring for your particular mower deck model.
1. Make sure yellow indicator (A) is aligned with the proper mark for the mower deck model installed. If not, adjust the lift assist spring so the indicator is aligned with the correct mower deck mark.
2. Turn adjusting bolt (B) at front of machine frame to adjust lift assist spring:
· Clockwise - Increases spring tension and moves indicator toward front of machine for heavier mowers.
· Counterclockwise - Decreases spring tension and moves indicator toward rear of machine for lighter mowers.
Replacing Mower Drive (Primary) Belt
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section).
2. Lock mower deck in the forward position.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Belt tension rod is spring-assisted and under tension. Keep a secure grasp on rod at all times while releasing or applying drive belt tension.
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a. Grasp and hold tension rod (A) securely.
b. Disengage rod from retaining bracket (B).
c. Move rod as far as possible toward rear wheel to remove all belt tension.
4. Hold tension rod in the released position.
5. Remove mower drive belt (C) from engine drive sheave and mower drive sheave.
6. Clean belt with a clean cloth.
7. Inspect belt for wear or damage. Replace as necessary.
8. Install belt on mower sheave and engine sheave.
9. Pivot the drive belt tension rod toward front of machine to tighten drive belt. Hook tension rod into bracket on mower.
Replacing Mower Deck (Secondary) Belt
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section).
Picture Note: 42C shown upper, 48C and 54C shown lower.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Springs are installed under tension. Use caution when attaching or disconnecting springs. Wear eye protection.
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4. Disconnect idler spring (B).
6. Clean upper mower deck and sheaves.
7. Inspect belt for wear and damage. Replace if necessary.
9. Connect idler spring (B). Make sure open end (D) of the spring hook faces outward on the idler arm.
Checking for Bent Mower Blades
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section).
2. Lock lift lever in forward position.
3. Measure distance (A) between blade tip and flat ground surface.
4. Rotate blade 180° and measure other blade tip.
5. Install new blade if the difference between the two blade tip measurements is more than 3 mm (1/8 in.).
Servicing Mower Blades
Removing Mower Blades
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
2. Raise or remove mower deck.
3. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent it from spinning.
4. Loosen and remove bolt (A), washer (B), and blade (C).
5. Inspect blade condition. Sharpen, balance, or replace blades as necessary.
Installing Mower Blades
1. Make sure deflector cup (D) is seated properly between mower spindle and blade.
2. Position mower blade (C) with cutting edge towards the ground onto the mower spindle.
3. Install blade washer (B) with cup side toward the blade.
4. Install and tighten bolt (A) by hand until mower blade is in full contact (fully seated) with spindle.
5. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent spinning.
· 42C Mower - 75 N·m (55 lb-ft).
· 48C and 54C Mowers - 68 N·m (50 lb-ft).
Sharpening Blades
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are dangerous:
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· Sharpen blades with grinder, hand file, or electric blade sharpener.
· Keep original bevel (A) when grinding.
· Blade should have 0.40 mm (1/64 in.) cutting edge (B) or less.
· Balance blades before installing.
Balancing Blades
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are dangerous:
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2. Put blade on nail in a vise. Turn blade to horizontal position.
3. Check balance. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.