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Service Engine


Engine Warranty Maintenance Statement

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems on this engine, which are being done at the customer’s expense, may be performed by any non-road engine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized John Deere dealer.

Engine Oil - Diesel Model

Use oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

The following John Deere oils are preferred:



• PLUS-50™.

• TORQ-GARD SUPREME™.

Other oils may be used if above John Deere oils are not available, provided they meet one of the following specifications:

• API Service Classification CG or higher.

Avoid Fumes

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death.

Move the machine to an outside area before running the engine.

Do not run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation.

• Connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe to direct the exhaust fumes out of the area.

• Allow fresh outside air into the work area to clear the exhaust fumes out.

Raising Hood

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Fingers and hands can be pinched or crushed. Be aware of potential pinch points and keep hands away.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not operate the machine with the cowling in the raised position.


1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)


MX24877

2. Remove hooks (A) from hood.

3. Lift and raise hood fully to rear.

Raising and Lowering Seat

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Fingers and hands can be pinched or crushed. Be aware of potential pinch points and keep hands away.

Raising the Seat Platform

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.


MX24884

2. Push latch (A) forward while pulling forward on the backrest of the operators seat.


MX24885

• The seat platform will rise until the gas strut (B) extends to the open position and the back of the seat is resting on the steering wheel.

Lowering the Seat Platform

• Pull rearward on the seat backrest until the seat platform lowers and latches.

Checking Engine Oil Level

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine problems if oil level is out of the operating range:

• Check oil level before operating.

• Check oil level when the engine is cold and not running.

• Keep oil level between the dipstick marks.

• Shut off engine before adding oil.


1. Park machine safely.

2. Allow engine to cool for a few minutes.

3. Remove dipstick. Wipe with a clean rag. Install dipstick.

4. Remove dipstick.

5. Check oil level.

• Oil must be between ADD and FULL marks.


MX20172

6. Remove oil filler cap (A), if oil level is low. Add oil to bring oil level no higher than FULL mark on dipstick.

7. Install dipstick and cap.

Changing Engine Oil and Filter

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not use a funnel that seals off the opening when adding oil. Damage to engine can result. Allow space between funnel and engine opening to prevent pressure buildup.


1. Run engine a few minutes to warm oil.

2. Park machine safely.

3. Place a container at oil drain location under machine.


MX18590

4. Remove oil drain plug (A).

5. Wipe dirt from around oil filter (B).

6. Turn filter counterclockwise to remove.

7. Put a film of clean oil on new filter gasket.

8. Install filter. Turn filter until gasket contacts mounting surface. Turn filter by hand 1/2 turn more.

9. Install and tighten drain plug.


MX20172

10. Remove filler cap (C).

11. Add required amount of oil per the engine model. Capacities are:

Model

Without filter

With filter

7500

5.2 L (5.5 qt)

5.7 L (6.0 qt)

7700

5.2 L (5.5 qt)

5.7 L (6.0 qt)

8500

5.2 L (5.5 qt)

5.7 L (6.0 qt)

8700

5.2 L (5.5 qt)

5.7 L (6.0 qt)

8800

5.2 L (5.5 qt)

5.7 L (6.0 qt)


12. Install cap. Run engine. Check for leaks around filter and drain plug. Stop engine. Check oil level.

Checking Air Restriction Indicator


MX18532

1. Push reset button (A) on end of indicator.

2. Start engine. Run at full throttle.

3. Check indicator.

4. Change primary element only when red plunger is visible in window (B).

Changing Air Cleaner Elements

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not disturb filter unless air filter restriction indicator shows red plunger in window.


When red plunger in air restriction indicator is up to the window, change the primary element.

NOTE: Clean inside of air cleaner cover once removed.


MX18533

1. Stop engine. Remove cover (A).


MX18534

2. Remove and discard primary element (B).

3. Install new element into housing.

4. Install cover.

5. Start engine. Check air restriction indicator. If indicator shows 500 mm (20-in.) vacuum or more, change secondary element.

Changing Secondary Element

NOTE: Check air restriction indicator. If indicator shows 500 mm (20 in.) vacuum or more, change secondary element.


MX18535

1. Remove cover and primary element.

2. Remove and discard element (A).

3. Install new element.

4. Install primary element and cover.

Cleaning Under Hood And Seat

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Fingers and hands can be pinched or crushed. Be aware of potential pinch points and keep hands away.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not use water to wash under hood. Use compressed air and blow debris away. Water in electrical connections may create electrical problems.


Cleaning Radiator


MX24877

1. Raise hood (A) and remove protective screen (B) by pulling screen up and away from machine.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Compressed air can cause debris to fly a long distance.

• Clear work area of bystanders.

• Wear eye protection when using compressed air for cleaning purposes.

• Reduce compressed air pressure to 210 kPa (30 psi).


MX24839

2. Carefully tilt oil-cooler (B) forward away from the radiator.

3. Check grille for debris.

4. Clean radiator fins and oil cooler tubes using low-pressure compressed air or a clean brush. Do not bend fins.

Service Cooling System Safely


TS281

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The radiator will be hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure may cause explosive release of coolant when the radiator cap is removed:

• Shut off the engine and allow to cool.

• Do not remove the cap unless the radiator and the engine are cool enough to touch with bare hands.

• Slowly loosen the cap to the first stop to release all pressure. Then remove the cap.

Recommended Engine Coolant

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Using incorrect coolant mixture can cause overheating and damage to the radiator and engine:

• Do not operate engine with plain water.

• Do not exceed a 50% mixture of coolant and water.

• Aluminum engine blocks and radiators require approved ethylene-glycol based antifreeze.


The following John Deere coolants are preferred:

• COOL-GARD® PRE-DILUTED SUMMER COOLANT (TY16036).

• COOL-GARD® CONCENTRATED SUMMER COOLANT (TY16034).

If neither of the recommended coolants is available, use a glycol base coolant that meets the following specification:

• ASTM D4985 (JDM H24A2).

Check container label before using to be sure it has the appropriate specifications for your machine. Use coolant with conditioner or add conditioner to coolant before using.

If using concentrate, mix approximately 50 percent antifreeze with 50 percent distilled or deionized water before adding to cooling system. This mixture will provide freeze protection to -37 degrees C (-34 degrees F).

Certain geographical areas may require lower temperature protection. See the label on your antifreeze container or consult your John Deere dealer to obtain the latest information and recommendations. Never exceed the maximum dilution rate for the coolant you are using. Exceeding the maximum rate will greatly reduce the coolant effectiveness.

Servicing Cooling System

Checking Coolant Level

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns:

• Shut off engine.

• Add coolant to radiator only when expansion tank is completely empty.

• Only remove filler cap when radiator is cool enough to touch with bare hands. Slowly loosen cap to first stop to relieve pressure before removing completely.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Using incorrect coolant mixture can damage the radiator:

• Do not operate engine without coolant or with plain water.

• Use antifreeze approved for use in aluminum engines.

• Do not exceed a 50% antifreeze mixture for the coolant.

• Do not pour coolant or water into radiator when engine is hot.



MX24899

1. Check coolant in coolant expansion tank (A) when engine is at operating temperature.

• Coolant expansion tank should be half full at engine operating temperature.


MX24899

2. If coolant level is low in expansion tank, add correct coolant mixture to expansion tank.
3. If expansion tank is empty, allow engine to cool and then remove radiator cap (B) and open vent (C), fill radiator with proper coolant mixture and then install radiator cap and close vent.

• Once radiator is full, add coolant mixture to expansion tank until 1/3 full.

Draining Cooling System

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The radiator will be hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure may cause explosive release of coolant when the radiator cap is removed:

• Shut off the engine and allow to cool.

• Do not remove the cap unless the radiator and the engine are cool enough to touch with bare hands.

• Slowly loosen the cap to the first stop to release all pressure. Then remove the cap.

1. Stop engine and lock park brake.

2. Raise hood. Let engine cool.


MX24899

3. Remove radiator cap (A) and open vent (B) at top of radiator.

4. Open radiator drain at bottom of radiator. Drain coolant into a pan.


MX24901

5. Drain coolant from engine by removing drain plug from tee fitting (C).

6. Tighten radiator drain and install block drain plug after coolant is drained.

7. Remove cap from expansion tank.

8. Lifting straight up, remove expansion tank and empty.

9. Install coolant tank and fill cooling system.

Flushing Cooling System

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage, DO NOT pour water into a hot engine. DO NOT operate engine without coolant.


1. Drain cooling system completely.

2. Fill cooling system with clean water and cooling system cleaner. Follow directions on cooling system cleaner container.

3. Fill coolant tank 1/3 full with water/cleaner mixture.

4. Install and tighten radiator cap, close vent at top of radiator, and install coolant tank cap.

5. Start and run engine until operating temperature is reached.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine and coolant will be hot. Turn radiator cap slowly to the stop using a thick rag or glove to help protect hands.

6. Turn radiator cap to first stop to vent.

7. Open lower radiator drain.


MX24901

8. Drain coolant from engine by removing drain plug from tee fitting (A). Drain the cooling system immediately before rust and dirt settles.

9. Close drain and install block drain plug.

10. Fill cooling system.

Filling Cooling System

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Using incorrect coolant mixture can damage the radiator:

• Do not operate engine without coolant or with plain water.

• Use antifreeze approved for use in aluminum engines.

• Do not exceed a 50% antifreeze mixture for the coolant.

• Do not pour coolant or water into radiator when engine is hot.


1. Fill cooling system. For cold weather, use a solution of only ethylene glycol antifreeze (without a stop-leak additive) and clean, deionized or distilled water.

2. Install cap and tighten. Close vent on top of radiator.

3. Run engine until operating temperature is reached.

4. Stop engine. After engine cools, check coolant level in coolant tank. Add if necessary.

5. Check condition of coolant system hoses. Install new hoses periodically. Tighten hose clamps regularly.

Checking Radiator Hoses and Clamps

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Touching hot surfaces can burn skin. The engine, components, and fluids will be hot if the engine has been running. Allow the engine to cool before servicing or working near the engine and components.

2. Raise hood.

3. Check radiator hoses for damage or cracking. Replace if needed.

4. Tighten hose clamps as needed.

5. Check to be sure tube clamp is secure.

6. Lower hood.

Changing Fuel Filter


MX18617

1. Turn fuel shutoff (A) to OFF.

2. Turn fuel filter (B) counterclockwise to remove.

3. Install new fuel filter.

4. Turn fuel shutoff to ON.

5. Prime the fuel system.

Priming Diesel Fuel System

NOTE: It may be necessary to prime the fuel system after running out of fuel or changing the fuel filter.


MX18617

1. Turn key switch to RUN position for 2 minutes prior to starting engine. The fuel pump (A) will pressurize the fuel and remove any air in the system

2. Start engine. If engine will not start, repeat previous step.

Checking Water Separator Bowl


MX18617

1. Check water separator bowl (A) for any accumulated water in bottom of bowl.

2. If water is present, loosen drain (B) and drain contents of bowl in a suitable container until all water is removed.

3. Tighten drain.

Fuel Injection Pump

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not clean a warm or hot fuel injection pump with steam or water. Clean with compressed air if pump is not cooled.


NOTE: The fuel injection pump is calibrated by the engine manufacturer and should not require any adjustments.

If engine is hard to start, lacks power, or runs rough, see Troubleshooting Section of this manual.

After performing the check in the troubleshooting section and your engine is still not performing correctly, contact your John Deere dealer.

Servicing Alternator Belt


MX18619

1. Push down on belt (A) halfway between pulleys. Belt should deflect approximately 12 mm (1/2 in.) with 98 N (22 lb-force (moderate thumb pressure).

2. Loosen bolts (B).

3. Apply pressure to front alternator housing (C) to correct belt tension or replace belt if necessary.

4. Tighten bolts.

Adjusting or Replacing Fan Belt


MX18621

1. Remove three bolts (A) holding drive shaft.

2. Loosen two bolts at front of drive shaft where it clamps to hydrostatic input shaft.

3. Push drive shaft to side.


MX18620

4. Loosen bolts (B) on belt tensioner and remove belt.

5. Install new belt.

6. Adjust tension. Belt should deflect 6 mm (1/4 in.) with light-to-moderate pressure at (C).

7. Tighten bolts (B).

8. Connect drive shaft with bolts (A). Tighten bolts to 54 N•m (40 lb-ft).

9. Tighten two bolts at front of drive shaft where it clamps to hydrostatic input shaft.