Operating
Engine Break-In
Poor engine performance can result from improper break-in or incomplete break-in. Break-in is period of initial run time that seats piston rings to cylinder wall.
New engines need to be run hard, under varying loads for at least five hours and may not be completely broken-in until after 50 hours. Follow these guidelines:
· Run engine at full throttle during operation. Use partial throttle only for 30-60 seconds to warm a cold engine.
· Run engine under load by mowing, blowing snow, etc.
· Check oil and coolant (if equipped) levels often. Top off as necessary.
· Follow break-in service intervals.
Engine may show these symptoms during break-in:
· Excess exhaust smoke at startup and during operation.
· Slight surging at full throttle when not under load.
Daily Operating Checklist
o Check transmission oil level.
o Remove grass and debris from machine.
o Check area below machine for leaks.
Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces
· Do not wipe plastic parts unless rinsed first.
· Insect repellent spray may damage plastic and painted surfaces. Do not spray insect repellent near machine.
· Be careful not to spill fuel on machine. Fuel may damage surface. Wipe up spilled fuel immediately.
Operator Station Controls
Miscellaneous Controls
Adjusting Seat
Adjusting Seat Position
2. Slide seat forward or rearward to desired position.
Adjusting Ride Comfort
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent damage to seat switch and seat base, do not operate without suspension coils in place. |
2. Rotate suspension coils into desired position:
· Move coils to front position (A) for softest ride.
· Move coils to middle position (B) for average ride.
· Move coils to rear position (C) for firm ride.
NOTE: Additional suspension coils can be installed for extra support. See your John Deere dealer.
Adjusting Cutting Height
NOTE: Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 25-102 mm (1-4 in.). Cut height is approximately 102 mm (4 in.) when lift lever is in transport position.
Mower must be raised completely before turning height control knob.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
2. Raise mower deck completely by pressing lift pedal.
3. Turn mower height control knob (A) to desired cutting height. Mower will be at set cutting height when lowered.
Adjusting Rear Wheel Spacing
NOTE: Wheel spacing is set narrow from factory. Narrow spacing provides overall tire width of 103.7 cm (39.0 in.). Wide spacing provides overall tire width of 105.7 cm (41.5 in.).
Rear wheels cannot be mounted in wide position if using 48 mower.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
2. Place blocks at front and rear of front tires.
c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not work under a raised machine unless it is safely supported. A machine that falls off a jack could cause serious injury or death.
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4. Raise rear of machine with a safe lifting device so rear wheels are slightly off of ground.
6. Remove rear wheels and install for desired spacing:
Turf Tires
· Narrow Spacing - Install each wheel with valve stem to outside.
· Wide Spacing - Install each wheel with valve stem to inside.
Bar Tires
· Wheel rim is not offset no need to offset. Make sure traction bars (A) are pointing forward.
Adjusting Mower Wheels
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.
5. Lower mower to cutting position.
6. Measure distance between mower wheels and ground surface:
· 42 Mower - All wheels should be 3-9 mm (1/8-3/8 in.) from ground.
· 48 and 54 Mower - All wheels should be 6-13 mm (1/4-1/2 in.) from ground.
7. Adjust mower wheels to correct height:
Picture Note: 42 shown left, 48 shown right.
· 42 and 48 Mower - Remove spring locking pin (A) and drilled pin (B). Move wheel to proper hole position. Install pins.
· 54 Mower - Pull pin (C) outward and move wheel to proper hole position. Release pin to lock wheel in position.
Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)
NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact ground when leveling deck.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.
3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in.).
4. Lower mower to cutting position.
NOTE: Difference between blade measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in.).
5. Turn left blade parallel to axle and complete measurement. Hold drive belt and turn right blade parallel to machine axle and complete measurements.
Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (A) is available from your John Deere dealer.
6. Measure from each outside blade tip (B) to level surface.
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.
Picture Note: Left side shown.
7. Adjust lift links, turn nut (C):
· Clockwise to raise left side of mower.
· Counterclockwise to lower left side of mower.
Adjusting Mower Level (Front-to-Rear)
NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact ground during leveling.
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
2. Inflate tires to correct pressure.
3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in.).
4. Lower mower deck completely.
5. Turn right blade so blade tip points straight forward.
Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (A) is available from your John Deere dealer.
6. Measure distance (B) from blade tip to level surface:
· 42 Mower - Front blade tip must be 3-9 mm (1/8-3/8 in.) lower than rear blade tip.
· 48 and 54 Mower - Front blade tip must be 3-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.) lower than rear blade tip.
7. Adjust front-to-rear mower level if necessary:
a. Loosen rear nut (C) on each side of front lift rod.
b. Turn front nut (D) on each side clockwise to raise front of mower or counterclockwise to lower it.
c. Tighten rear nuts after adjustment is complete.
8. Check adjustment by measuring blade tips again.
Testing Safety Systems
Use following procedures 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 Park Brake Switch
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
Testing Park Brake
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
3. Try to push machine manually.
Testing PTO Switch
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
Testing Seat Switch
Test 1
2. Move throttle lever to maximum speed position.
5. Raise up off seat. Do not get off machine.
Test 2
4. Raise up off seat. Do not get off machine.
Test 3
3. Raise up off seat. Do not get off machine.
Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO)
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades.
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1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in Safety section.)
3. Engage PTO to start attachment.
4. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
5. Begin reverse travel by depressing reverse foot pedal.
Using Park Brake
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders may attempt to move or operate an unattended machine.
Always lock park brake and remove key before leaving machine unattended. |
Locking Park Brake
1. Push and hold down brake pedal (A).
2. Pull up park brake lever (B) to lock park brake.
3. Release brake pedal. Pedal should stay down and park brake lever should stay up in locked position.
Unlocking Park Brake
1. Push and hold down brake pedal (A).
2. Push down park brake lever (B) to unlock park brake.
3. Release brake pedal. Pedal should come up to operating position.
Using Headlights
· Press at top of light switch (A) to turn headlights on.
· Press at bottom of light switch (A) to turn headlights off.
Using Indicator Lights and Hour Meter
A - Oil Pressure Indicator - will come on when key is turned to run position. Indicator should go out when engine is started. If indicator comes on during operation, engine oil pressure is too low. Stop engine and perform appropriate service.
B - Battery Discharge Indicator - will come on when key is turned to run position. Indicator should remain on during starting cycle and then go off. Indicator may remain on at low idle or if battery charge is low and PTO and headlights are turned on. If indicator comes on during normal operation, stop engine and perform appropriate service.
C - Hour Meter - shows number of hours engine has run. Hour meter will run with engine off when key is in run position with operator's seat occupied or park brake locked with PTO off. Use hour meter to determine when machine has reached recommended service intervals.
Checking Fuel Level
Check fuel level in fuel tank (A).
Starting Engine
NOTE: Engine will not start unless park brake is applied and PTO is disengaged.
2. Make sure PTO switch is disengaged.
· If engine is cold, move throttle lever (A) between half throttle and fast throttle positions.
· If engine is warm, move throttle lever (A) to slow throttle position.
· If engine is cold, push and hold choke lever (B) in full choke position.
· If engine is warm, push and hold choke lever (B) in half choke position; or do not use, depending on engine temperature.
6. Turn key to run position (C).
7. Make sure oil pressure and battery discharge indicators illuminate.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Starter may be damaged if operated longer than 20 seconds at a time. Wait two minutes between starting intervals if engine does not start immediately. |
8. Turn key to start position (D) for no longer than five seconds.
9. Release key to run position (C) and release choke lever when engine starts. If engine does not start:
b. Hold choke lever in appropriate position.
c. Turn key to start position again for no longer than five seconds. Release key and choke lever when engine starts.
d. Repeat procedure if necessary.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Unnecessary engine idling can cause engine overheating, carbon build-up, and poor performance. |
10. Run engine at half throttle for 30-60 seconds to allow warm-up before operating.
Stopping Engine
2. Move throttle lever (A) to slow position. Allow engine to idle for several seconds.
3. Turn key to stop position (B).
Using Travel Controls
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders can be injured or killed by moving machine and rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward:
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Forward Travel
3. Push down slowly on forward pedal (A) until desired travel speed is obtained.
4. Release forward pedal and machine will automatically return to neutral and stop.
Reverse Travel
NOTE: Any operating attachment will stop as reverse foot pedal is depressed with attachment engaged.
2. Push PTO knob down to off position to disengage attachment.
3. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders near.
4. Push down slowly on reverse pedal (B).
Stopping
1. Release either travel pedal, machine will automatically return to neutral and stop.
Using Reverse Implement Option (RIO)
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders can be injured or killed by moving machine and rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward:
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NOTE: Operating mower while backing up is strongly discouraged. Reverse Implement Option should be used only when operating another attachment or when operator deems it necessary to reposition machine with mower engaged.
1. Stop machine. Allow attachment to run.
2. Look behind machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
3. Lift PTO switch (A) past PTO engagement position while depressing reverse foot pedal slightly.
NOTE: If attachment stops while positioning machine, return PTO switch to off position. Repeat this procedure from beginning.
4. As machine begins to move backward, release PTO switch and position machine.
5. Resume forward travel. Attachment should continue operating.
6. Repeat procedure to position machine again.
Using Attachment/Mower Lift Pedal
NOTE: Make sure the tension on the lift assist spring is properly adjusted to support the weight of the mower deck or attachment installed.
MOWING POSITION
Mower floats along ground contour while maintaining desired cutting height. The mower will always float up and back down onto the depth stop.
1. Press lift pedal (A), make sure pedal latch handle (B) is in lower position, select cut height on knob, release pedal to lower deck
TRANSPORT POSITION
Holds mower above ground level while traveling to and from worksite.
1. Push forward on lift pedal (A).
2. Raise pedal latch handle (B) to latch deck in transport (raised) position.
3. Remove foot from lift pedal and mower stays up.
Using Cruise Control
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury!
Do not use cruise control when going down hills. Machine speed will increase. Operate machine in a large, open area to learn how cruise control works. |
Use cruise control to maintain travel speed without having to hold forward travel pedal down. Cruise control operates only for forward travel.
Engaging Cruise Control
1. Put cruise control lever (A) in off position.
2. Move cruise control lever forward to slow speed position to begin forward machine travel.
3. Continue to move lever forward to increase speed.
4. Release lever when desired cruise speed is reached.
Disengaging Cruise Control
· Move cruise control lever (A) completely rearward to off position, or
· Push down park brake pedal (B), then move cruise control lever (A) completely rearward to off position.
Using PTO (Power Take-Off)
NOTE: PTO operation will stop if reverse pedal is depressed. Understand Reverse Implement Option (RIO) system before operating PTO.
1. Start engine. If necessary, allow engine to warm up before operating PTO.
NOTE: Always operate at maximum throttle speed when PTO is engaged.
2. Move throttle lever (A) to fast position.
3. Move PTO switch (B) to desired position:
· Engage PTO - Lift up on switch to "l" position.
· Disengage PTO - Push down on switch to "O" position.
· Maintain PTO engagement in reverse - Lift and hold switch lever in highest position.
Pushing Machine (Using Free-Wheeling Lever)
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Transmission damage may occur if machine is moved incorrectly: |
2. Pull out on free-wheeling lever (A).
3. Push machine to desired location.
NOTE: Free-wheeling lever will return to operating position when brake pedal is pressed.
Unplugging Mower or Optional Bagger
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous:
· Park machine safely and lock park brake before getting off of seat. |
3. Move throttle lever to slow position.
8. Wait for all moving parts to stop.
Transporting Machine on Trailer
Be sure trailer has all necessary lights and signs required by law.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra care when loading or unloading machine onto a trailer or truck.
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1. Park trailer on a level surface.
2. Drive forward onto heavy-duty trailer with sides.
3. Lower mower to trailer deck.
5. Fasten machine to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Both front and rear straps must be directed down and outward from machine.
Using Weights
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Machine may become unstable when operating on slopes and/or with some attachments.
Use weights to improve stability when operating on slopes or using attachments. |
NOTE: Install weights using instructions provided with weights. Remove weights when not required.
Using Front Weights
Install front wheel weights for better stability and steering control when using equipment such as rear-mounted grass bagger.
Using Rear Weights
Install rear weight bracket kit with suitcase weights when using front-mounted attachments such as a snowthrower or blade.
Using Tire Chains
Tire chains are recommended for use with most front attachments. Remove tire chains before installing mower deck.
See your attachment Operator's Manual for tire chain recommendation. See your authorized dealer for the chains.
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 -70 mm (1.75 - 2.75 in.).
· 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 - 100 mm (2 - 4 in.).
· Drive over ridges and through shallow ditches straight-on, not at an angle.
· Mow around the outside twice, then mow inside in straight passes. Best cut is achieved when mowing in a straight line.
· When mowing or mulching near pavement, overlap the pavement by 50 mm (2 in.) to allow clippings to dispense over grass.
· A thick layer of mulched leaves 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.
· For 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.