Operating Machine

· If you hit an object, stop the machine and inspect it. Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine and attachments properly maintained and in good working order. Keep all shields and guards in place.

· DO NOT leave machine unattended when it is running.

· Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.

· Be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

· Get on the Front Mower from the LEFT SIDE ONLY.

· Raise and lower the seat from the LEFT SIDE ONLY.

· Start the engine from the operator's seat only.

· Keep your feet on the platform.

· When driving the Front Mower:

a. Without an attachment, drive slowly and avoid quick stops.

b. With the snowthrower installed, order the Rear Weight Kit. See your John Deere dealer for these weights.

· Check the seat mounting at regular intervals. Tighten the hardware, if necessary. If you find cracks or rust in the seat base or seat, replace the seat immediately.

Park Safely

· Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.

· Disengage PTO.

· Lower attachments to the ground.

· Engage park brake.

· STOP engine.

· Remove key.

· Before you leave the operator's seat, wait for engine and all moving parts STOP.

Operator Training Required

· Study operation section of this manual before operating the machine.

· Operate machine in an open, unobstructed area under the direction of an experienced operator.

· Learn the use of all controls.

· Operator experience is required to learn the moving, stopping, turning and other operating characteristics of the machine.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

MIF

· Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job.

· Loud noise can cause impairment or loss of hearing, wear a suitable protective device such as earplugs.

· Do not wear radio or music headphones while operating the machine. Safe operation requires your full attention.

Rotating Blades Are Dangerous - Protect Children And Prevent Accidents

PROTECT CHILDREN:

MIF

· Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay alert to the presence of children.

· Keep children in the house when you are operating the machine.

· Turn machine off if a child enters the mowing area.

· Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your vision.

· DO NOT let children or untrained person operate the machine.

· DO NOT carry or let children ride on machine or any attachment. DO NOT tow children in a cart or trailer.

HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:

· Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People ESPECIALLY CHILDREN can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.

· Back carefully. Shut off PTO and look behind the machine carefully, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN, before you back up.

· DO NOT mow in reverse unless it is absolutely necessary.

· Shut off PTO when you are not mowing.

· DO NOT operate machine if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Avoid Tipping

MIF

· DO NOT drive where machine could slip or tip.

· Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards in the terrain.

· Keep away from drop-offs.

· Slow down before you make a sharp turn or operate on a slope.

· When pulling loads or using heavy equipment, use only approved hitches, limit loads to those you can safely control, and use counterweights or wheel weights when required per this manual or your attachment manual.

· Drive up and down a hill - not across. Be careful when you change direction on a slope.

· DO NOT stop when going up hill or down hill. If machine stops going up hill, STOP PTO and back down slowly.

· DO NOT mow wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

· DO NOT try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

Keep Riders Off

MIF

· Only allow the operator on the machine. Keep riders off.

· Riders on the machine or attachment may be struck by foreign objects or thrown off the machine causing serious injury.

· Riders obstruct the operator's view resulting in the machine being operated in an unsafe manner.

Check Wheel Bolts

· A serious accident could occur causing serious injury if wheel bolts are not tight.

· Check wheel bolt tightness often during the first 100 hours of operation.

Transport Safely

MIF

· Use safety lights and devices. Slow moving machines when driven on public roads are hard to see, especially at night. Avoid personal injury or death resulting from a collision with a vehicle.

· Flashing warning lights are recommended whenever driving on public roads to increase visibility. Extra flashing warning lights may need to be installed.

· A safety lighting kit is available from your John Deere dealer.

Towing Loads

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! BE CAREFUL ON SLOPES: Pulling a heavy load on a slope may cause you to lose control of steering, and may result in personal injury. Do not tow children in a cart or trailer. LOOK FOR CHILDREN before you back a load.

· Use ONLY the drawbar to pull trailers, carts, or light attachments

· Do not tow more than 318 kg (700 lb) gross weight.

· Tow only loads you can safely control.

· Be careful when you back a loaded trailer, cart, or attachment. LOOK FOR CHILDREN before you back.

Using Key

M56998

· Turn the key straight ahead to the OFF position.

· Turn the key to the first or RUN position: Two indicator lights should go ON.

· Turn the key to the second or START position to START the engine: The coolant temperature light should go ON.

Using PTO Switch Knob

M56998

· To turn the switch ON: Pull knob up.

· Push the knob down to the OFF position.

Using Park Brake Lock Lever

M56998

· Use this lever to LOCK and UNLOCK the park brake.

Raising And Lowering The Hood

To raise the hood:

M73363

1. Push and hold the hood latch forward.

2. Lift the hood a short distance with your hand at the top, center of the hood.

3. Release the latch.

4. Open the hood all the way.

To lower the hood:

1. Do not drop the hood to latch it: Lower the hood to the latch.

2. Then push the hood down to latch it.

Adjusting The Hood Latch

NOTE: The battery has been removed for this picture.

M73440

1. Loosen the two nuts (A).

2. Move the latch up or down to the desired position.

3. If the adjustment is correct, the latch should hold the hood tightly. You should have to push the hood down slightly when you close it to latch the hood.

Using Throttle Lever

M56998

· Push lever (A) forward to FAST (r) position. Operate mower with the lever in this position.

· Move the lever to the rear to the SLOW (t) position. Do not run the engine at SLOW throttle any longer than necessary.

· Move the lever all the way forward to the CHOKE (k) position to start the engine.

· Pull the lever back as the engine warms.

Indicator Lights

A-OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If the indicator lights RED when the engine is running, STOP THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY, or the engine may be seriously damaged from lack of lubrication. Before you run the engine, find and correct the cause.

M73362

· The RED indicator light (A) means the oil is low and/or the oil pressure is low.

· The indicator should light when you turn the key switch to ON.

· The light should go out when the engine starts.

B-BATTERY INDICATOR


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If the indicator lights YELLOW when the engine is running, STOP THE ENGINE. Find and correct the cause or the battery will lose power.

M73362

· The YELLOW indicator light (B) means the battery is not getting enough charge from the alternator.

· The indicator should light when you turn the key to RUN.

· The light should go out when the engine starts.

C-ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If the indicator lights RED when the engine is running, STOP THE ENGINE. Find and correct the cause, or you may damage the engine.

M73362

· The RED indicator light (C) means the engine coolant is too HOT.

· The indicator should not light when you turn the key to RUN.

· The light should go ON when you turn the key to START, and should go out when the engine starts.

Using Forward Travel Pedal

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you move the Front Mower forward, check for bystanders, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.

M73385

· Push the pedal down to travel forward. Push the pedal further to travel faster.

· Release the pedal: it will return to neutral and stop the Front Mower.

Using Park Brake Pedal

M73385

· Push park brake pedal (A) down for an EMERGENCY STOP.

· When you push the pedal down, the travel pedal (B or C) will return to NEUTRAL and the PTO will stop.

M73385

· You must hold the pedal down or LOCK park the brake before you can start the engine.

Using Park Brake Pedal Continued:

M73385

To LOCK the park brake:

· Move the park brake lock lever forward to the LOCK position.

· Push the pedal (A) down to LOCK the brake.

To UNLOCK the brake:

· Push the pedal (A) down.

· Move the lever to the rear to the UNLOCK position.

· Release the pedal.

Using Reverse Travel Pedal

· Pivot foot from Forward Travel Pedal (A) to Reverse Travel Pedal (B).

M73385

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you back the Front Mower, LOOK CAREFULLY behind it for bystanders, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.

· Push pedal down to travel in reverse. Push pedal further to travel faster.

· Release pedal: It will return to neutral and stop the Front Mower.

Using Differential Lock Pedal

M73397

Push the pedal down to help improve traction on slopes and in slippery places.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Use the pedal ONLY when you need more traction.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not LOCK the differential at high speed or turn the Front Mower when the differential is LOCKED.

To LOCK the differential:

· Push the pedal down.

· The differential will stay LOCKED as long as you hold the pedal down OR as long as wheel slip is unequal.

To UNLOCK the differential:

· RELEASE the pedal.

Using Weight Transfer Control

M73396

Use the weight transfer control (A) to help improve traction.

To help transfer some of the mower weight to the drive wheels:

· Check the position of the notch on the knob (B) with the plus (+) and minus (-) signs on the base.

· Turn the control knob clockwise toward the plus (+) sign to help add weight to the drive wheels.

· Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the minus (-) sign for less weight to the drive wheels.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not lift the mower on slopes or at fast speeds. This could cause the Front Mower to become unstable.

To LIFT the mower when you come to an obstacle:

· PULL KNOB UP: Mower will stay UP as long as you hold knob up.

· RELEASE THE KNOB: Knob and mower will go back down.

Using Seat Controls

M57001

A-SEAT CONTROL LEVER

· Sit on the operator's seat.

· Pivot and hold the lever (A) to the left.

· Slide the seat forward or to the rear to the desired position.

· Release the lever.

B-HANDLE-TO RAISE OR LOWER THE SEAT

M73376a

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! RAISE or LOWER the seat ONLY from the LEFT side of the Front Mower, and only when the engine is not running.

To RAISE the seat:

· Grasp the handle (B).

· Lift the rear of the seat base to latch the seat in FIRST or SECOND position.

C-SEAT RELEASE LEVER

M57001

· To lower the seat from the raised position:

· Lift seat slightly with the RIGHT hand on the handle (B).

· Pull and hold the release lever (C) to the rear with the LEFT hand.

· Lower the seat.

Free-Wheeling Lever


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not tow the Front Mower.

M73390

To move the Front Mower with the engine off:

1. UNLOCK the park brake.

2. Lift the seat to the second position.

3. Push the lever (A) down to hold the button (B) down.

4. Hold the lever down as you move the Front Mower to the desired position.

M73390

5. Release the lever. Lower the seat.

Fuel Shutoff Control

M73374

1. Lift and OPEN the hood.

2. Before you start the engine:

· OPEN the fuel shutoff valve: Turn the knob so the pointer is UP as shown.

3. At the end of each day's operation and when you store the Front Mower:

· CLOSE the fuel shutoff valve: Turn the pointer to the REAR.

Fuel Gauge

M73376a

The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left in the fuel tank.

Daily Operating Checklist

o Test safety systems.

o Check tire pressure.

o Check fuel level.

o Check engine oil level.

o Remove grass and debris from machine.

Testing Safety Systems

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death.

· If it is necessary to run an engine in an enclosed area, remove the exhaust fumes from the area with an exhaust pipe extension.

· If you do not have an exhaust pipe extension, open the doors and get outside air into the area.

Use the following checkout procedure to check for normal operation of vehicle.

If there is a malfunction during one of these procedures, DO NOT operate vehicle. (See your John Deere dealer for service.)

Perform these tests in a clear open area. Keep bystanders away.

Sit on the operator's seat for all tests.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Tests 2 and 3 are performed WITHOUT the engine running.

First Test

M56998

1. Start the engine. UNLOCK the park brake (A).

2. Put the PTO switch knob (B) in the ON position.

3. Push down the brake pedal.

4. The mower should stop.

Second Test

M56998

1. Do not push down the brake pedal.

2. Turn the key to START.

3. The engine must not crank.

Third Test

M56998

1. LOCK the park brake (A).

2. Put the PTO switch knob (B) in the ON position.

3. Turn the key to START.

4. The engine must not crank.

Fourth Test

M56998

1. Start the engine. UNLOCK the park brake (A).

2. Stand up but do not get off the Front Mower.

3. The engine should stop.

Fifth Test

Check blade stop time. See Checking Blade Stop Time in the Operating the Mower section.

Avoid Damage To Plastic And Painted Surfaces

· 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.

Starting The Engine

M73374

1. OPEN the fuel shutoff valve:

a. Lift and OPEN the hood.

b. Turn the knob (A) so the pointer is UP as shown.

c. LOWER the hood.

2. Sit on the operator's seat.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! You must hold the brake pedal DOWN, or LOCK the park brake, before you can start the engine.

3. Push the lever forward (B) to the LOCK position.

M56998

4. Push down the pedal (C) to LOCK the park brake.

M73368

5. The PTO switch must be OFF:

M56998

· Push the switch knob (D) down to the OFF position.

6. Push the throttle lever (E) forward to the CHOKE (k) position shown.

M56998

7. Turn the key (F) to the RUN position.

M56998

8. LOOK: The two lights should go ON:

M73362

· Oil indicator (G).

· Battery indicator (H).

9. Turn the key to the START position. The coolant temperature indicator (I) should go ON. Release the key when the engine starts.

10. ALL the indicator lights should go OFF. If not:

· STOP the engine.

· Find the cause: See the Troubleshooting section for help.

11. Warm the engine briefly at HALF-THROTTLE.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not SLOW-IDLE the engine any longer than necessary: The engine may overheat if you idle it a long time. The engine tends to build carbon if you idle it a long time. You generally waste fuel idling the engine.

Stopping The Engine

M56998

1. Pull back the throttle lever (A) to the SLOW (t) position.

2. Turn the key (B) to OFF.

3. Remove the key.

M56998

Traveling And Stopping The Front Mower

NOTE: See the Controls Section for information on controls and instruments.

M73385

1. START the engine.

2. UNLOCK the park brake:

· Push the pedal (A) down.

· Pull the park brake lock lever to the rear.

· Release the pedal.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If an indicator light comes on while you are operating the Front Mower: · STOP THE FRONT MOWER IMMEDIATELY · STOP the engine · Find and correct the cause before you operate the engine.

3. To travel forward, push the pedal (B).

M73385

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you back the machine, LOOK CAREFULLY behind it for children.

4. To travel in reverse, pivot your foot from the pedal (C) and push pedal (D).

M73385

5. For an emergency stop, push the pedal (E). The travel pedal (F) or (G) will return to neutral.

M73385

M73385

Parking The Front Mower

Park on a level surface, not on a slope.

1. Release the travel pedal to stop the Front Mower.

2. Push down the PTO switch knob to the OFF position to stop the PTO.

3. Stop the engine:

· Pull the throttle lever to the rear.

· Turn key to the OFF position.

4. Lock the park brake:

M56998

· Push the lever (A) forward to the LOCK position shown.

· Push down pedal (B) to LOCK the park brake.

M73385

5. Remove the key.

6. Release the hood latch. Lift and open the hood. Turn the fuel shutoff pointer to the rear to the CLOSED position. Lower the hood.

Installing Tire Chains

1. Park the Front Mower safely. Lock the park brake.

2. Stop the engine. Remove the key.

3. Raise the front of the Front Mower with a safe lifting device.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not work under a raised Front Mower unless it is safely supported. A Front Mower that slips and falls off a lifting device could cause serious injury or death.

4. Install blocks or stands under each side of the front axle.

5. Stretch the tire chain out with the cross-link hooks (A) facing up.

M96756

NOTE: If desired, wheels can be removed to install tire chains. Tires may also be deflated during installation, then reinflated after installation, to snug chains to tire.

6. Pull the tire chain over the tire as shown with the cross link hooks (A) facing away from the tires. The latch hook (B) should be on the right side, and the closed links (C) on the left.

M96757

7. Evenly space the cross links around the tire.

8. Pull chain tight on rear of tire. Connect chain together using open hook (D) and closed link of chain (E).

M96759

9. Pull the chain tight on the front of the tire. Install the latch arm (F) through the same closed link (G) used on the rear of the tire.

M96758

10. Secure the hook of the latch arm (H) into a link of tire chain.

M96760

11. Using mechanics wire, secure latch arm from opening and extra links of chain from dangling. Twist the wire ends together. Clip the excess. Push down the wire that sticks out.

12. Install the other chain. Repeat Steps 1-7 for the other wheel.

13. Install the wheels, if removed.

14. Inflate the tires to 60 kPa (6 psi).

15. Remove the blocks or stands. Lower the Front Mower.

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