Poor Engine Performance

Fuel:

· Dirt in fuel system or fuel is old. Replace fuel with fresh stabilized fuel. Obtain fuel from another supplier before suspecting machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and changing suppliers will generally solve any performance problems.

· Fuel blended with alcohol or ether may contribute to performance problems by causing gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for several weeks or more. Obtain fresh fuel.

Engine Will Not Start Or Is Hard To Start

· Park brake lever not in the proper position.

· Check that motion control levers are in neutral and roller bearing adjustment is correct.

· PTO engaged.

· Fuel shutoff valve in off position.

· Stale or improper fuel/fuel level.

· Plugged fuel filter.

· Plugged air intake filter.

· Spark plug wires loose or disconnected.

· Spark plugs 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.

· Bent or kinked throttle cable.

· Bent governor control.

· Incorrect governor idle control.

Engine Runs Rough or Stalls

· Plugged fuel filter.

· Plugged air intake system.

· Fuel cap vent dirty.

· Stale or improper fuel/fuel level.

· Spark plugs not gapped correctly.

· Replace spark plugs.

· 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 plugs.

Engine Uses Too Much Oil

· Find and correct oil leaks.

· Incorrect engine oil.

· Plugged oil filter.

· Plugged air intake filter.

Engine Backfires Through Muffler

· Throttle lever should be at low idle for thirty seconds before turning off machine.

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.

· Park brake switch is faulty.

· Loose or corroded battery connections.

· Neutral 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.

Battery Will Not Charge

· Loose or corroded connections.

· Blown fusible link. See your John Deere dealer.

PTO Switch Does Not Work

· Blown fuse.

· Bad switch.

Starter Turns Slowly

· Loose or corroded battery connections.

· Low battery power - charge battery.

· Engine oil viscosity too heavy.

Excessive Machine Vibration

· Engine speed too slow.

· Deck drive belt not tensioned correctly.

· Mower blades not balanced.

Machine Will Not Move With Engine Running

· Park brake locked.

· Transmission oil level low.

· Transmission oil cold - allow engine to warm up.

· Pump drive belt slipping or broken.

· Pump free-wheel valves open.

· Transmission problems. See your John Deere dealer.

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

· Needs motion control linkage adjustment.

· Engine speed too slow.

Park Brake Not Working Correctly

· Park brake out of adjustment - adjust brake pawl.

Steering Not Working

· Pump free-wheel valves partially open.

· Improper tire inflation.

· Hydrostatic transmission oil level low.

Discharge Chute Plugged

· Grass is wet - mow grass only when dry.

· Raise cutting height.

· Mow at full fast position.

· Ground speed too fast for conditions.

· Correct installation of mower deck drive belt.

Mower Deck Vibrates

· Run engine at fast throttle.

· Loose hardware.

· Check/replace mower deck drive belt.

· Blades 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

· Mower deck drive belt slipping or broken.

· Mower deck belt tension spring not installed or broken.

· PTO switch faulty.

· Operator presence switch not engaged or is faulty.

· Fuse is blown.

· Loose electrical connections.

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.