Engine Will Not Start Or Is Hard To Start

• Motion control levers not in the “neutral lock” position.

• Park brake lever not in the proper position.

• Operator on seat.

• Key switch not in proper position.

• PTO engaged.

• Stale or improper fuel / fuel level

• Plugged fuel filter.

• Plugged air intake filter.

• Spark plug wire is loose or disconnected.

• Spark plug wire is not gapped correctly.

• Blown fuse.

• Electrical problem - dead battery.

• Choke adjusted incorrectly. See your John Deere dealer.

Engine Will Not Slow Idle

• Carburetion problems. See your John Deere dealer.

Engine Runs Rough or Stalls

• Plugged fuel filter.

• Plugged air intake system.

• Fuel cap vent dirty.

• Stale or improper fuel / fuel level.

• Spark plug not gapped correctly.

• Replace spark plug.

• Choke adjusted incorrectly. See your John Deere Dealer.

Engine Knocks

• Engine oil level low.

• Reduce load. (Slower ground speed.)

• Fuel is bad. Fill tank with fresh fuel, correct octane.

• Idle speed too slow.

Engine Overheats

• Clean cooling fins.

• Low oil level.

• Do not operate at slow idle. Operate at fast idle.

• Cooling air intake screen is dirty.

• Plugged carburetor air intake filter.

• Plugged air intake filter.

• Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions.

Engine Lacks Power

• Reduce load.

• Plugged air intake system.

• Plugged fuel filter.

• Improper type of fuel. Drain tank and fill with correct fuel.

• Clean cooling fins to help prevent overheating.

• Replace spark plug.

Engine Uses Too Much Oil

• Find and correct oil leaks.

• Incorrect engine oil.

• Plugged oil filter.

• Plugged air intake filter.

Engine Backfires Through Carburetor

• Carburetion problems. See your John Deere Dealer.

Engine Backfires Through Muffler

• Throttle should be at half fast position or higher when turning engine off.

High Fuel Consumption

• Improper type of fuel.

• Plugged air intake system.

• Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions.

• Improper valve clearance. See your John Deere Dealer.

• Restricted air intake system.

Starter Will Not Work

• Blown fuse.

• Loose or corroded battery or ground connections.

• Neutral start switches faulty or not adjusted properly. See your John Deere Dealer.

• Key switch or starter faulty. See your John Deere Dealer.

• PTO engaged.

• Motion control levers and park brake lever not in proper position.

• Operator not on seat.

Battery Will Not Charge

• Loose or corroded connections.

PTO Switch Does Not Work

• Poor connection between harness and clutch.

• Blown fuse

• Bad switch.

Starter Turns Slowly

• Loose or corroded battery or ground connections.

• Low battery power - charge battery.

• Engine oil viscosity too heavy.

Excessive Machine Vibration

• Engine speed too slow.

Machine Will Not Move With Engine Running

• Park brake locked.

• Transmission oil level low.

• Transmission oil cold - allow engine to warm.

• Pump drive belt slipping or broken.

• Free-wheeling pump release valves engaged.

• Transmission problems. See your John Deere Dealer.

Machine Creeps With Engine Running and Motion Control Levers in a Neutral Position

• Needs control linkage adjustment.

• Needs transmission neutral adjustment.

• Engine speed too slow.

Brakes Not Working Correctly

• Brakes out of adjustment- adjust linkage.

• Brake bands wet.

• Worn brake bands.

Steering Not Working

• Free-wheeling pump release valves partially engaged.

• Needs control linkage adjustment.

• Improper tire Inflation.

• Hydrostatic transmission oil low.

Discharge Chute Plugged

• Grass is wet - ground speed may need to be adjusted.

• Raise cutting height.

• Run engine at fast throttle.

• Ground speed too fast for conditions.

• Correct installation of deck drive belt.

Mower Deck Vibrates

• Run engine at fast throttle.

• Loose hardware.

• Check/replace deck drive belt.

• Blade bolts are loose.

• Blades are bent or worn.

• Sharpen and balance blades.

• Remove belt shields and clean debris from sheaves.

• Check sheaves for proper alignment or damage. See a John Deere dealer.

Mower Blades Do Not Engage

• Deck drive belt slipping or broken.

• Mule drive belt slipping or broken.

• Deck belt tension spring not installed or broken.

• PTO switch failure.

• Fuse is blown.

• Loose electrical connections.

• Mule belt tension spring not installed or broken.

Mower Mows Unevenly

• Mower deck not properly leveled.

• Ground speed too fast for conditions.

• Run engine at fast throttle.

• Reduce ground speed when making turns.

• Sharpen or replace blades.

• Change mowing pattern.

• Check air pressure in all traction unit tires.

Mode Lever Does Not Latch

• Check linkage for damage. Replace damaged parts if necessary.

• Clean debris build-up from underside of deck.

Poor Quality Cut

• Run engine at fast throttle when cutting.

• Clean debris build-up from underside of deck.

• Check blades for sharpness and damage.

• Check discharge chute for damage.

• Change blades. See Recommended Blades for 60-Inch Mulch-On-Demand Deck.

• Mulch-On-Demand Mower Deck: check linkage for damage. Replace damaged parts if necessary.

• Mulch-On-Demand Mower Deck: check linkage for proper adjustment. See Mulch-On-Demand Mower Deck: Adjusting Linkage.

• If removing more than 1/3 of the total grass length, it may require two passes to work the grass down to the desired height and maintain good cut quality. If this must be done on the same day (not recommended):