Operating

Daily Checklist

o Check tire pressure

o Check hydraulic oil level

o Check engine oil level

o Check coolant

o Test safety systems

o Remove grass and debris from machine

o Clean air intake screens for engine and oil cooler

o Check area below machine for leaks

o Check air restriction indicator

o Check fuel level

o Check fuel leakage (oil, fuel, coolant)

o Check for loose, missing or damaged parts.

Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces

• Do not wipe plastic parts unless rinsed first. Using a dry cloth may cause scratches.

• 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.

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight will damage hood surfaces.

Using Seat Belt

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Always wear a seat belt when operating machine with a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) or a cab. Do not jump from machine if machine tips.

DM1253

1. Sit in seat.

2. Pull out seat belt buckle (A) and stretch across your lap.

3. Insert seat belt buckle into latch (B) until it locks.

4. To release seat belt, press red button (C) until buckle comes out of latch.

Adjusting Standard Seat

Adjusting Seat Position

1. Sit on seat.

2. Pull seat adjustment lever up, out of locked position.

3. Slide seat forward or rearward to desired position. Operator’s right heel should be able to rest firmly on the floor in front of the pedal.

4. Release lever.

Adjusting Seat Spring Tension

1. Turn seat spring knob to adjust seat spring tension while watching weight indicator.

2. Match weight of operator to value shown in weight indicator. Seat must spring slightly so that operator’s presence switch will be activated, allowing engine to start.

Adjusting Seat Height

1. Pull up seat base and latch seat into one of three positions. Lift seat beyond its highest position first to lower.

Adjusting Seat Back

1. Pull up seat back angle lever and move seat back to desired position. Release lever.

Adjusting Horizontal Absorber

1. Set horizontal absorber lever to the front to activate. Set lever to the rear to lock.

Adjusting Deluxe Seat

Adjusting Seat Position

1. Sit on seat.

2. Pull seat adjustment lever up, out of locked position.

3. Slide seat forward or rearward to desired position. Operator’s right heel should be able to rest firmly on the floor in front of the pedal.

4. Release lever.

Adjusting Seat Spring Tension

1. Turn seat spring knob to adjust seat spring tension while watching weight indicator.

2. Match weight of operator to value shown in weight indicator. Seat must spring slightly so that operator’s presence switch will be activated, allowing engine to start.

Adjusting Seat Height

1. Pull out, or push in height adjustment lever to set seat to desired height. Release lever.

Adjusting Seat Back

1. Pull up seat back angle lever and move seat back to desired position. Release lever.

Adjusting Horizontal Absorber

1. Set horizontal absorber lever to the front to activate. Set lever to the rear to lock.

Adjusting Vertical Absorber

1. Set vertical absorber lever to the front to loosen suspension. Set vertical absorber lever to the rear for a stiffer suspension.

Adjusting Swivel

1. Pull up swivel lever and rotate seat into desired position. Lower lever.

Adjusting Lumbar Support

1. Turn knob for desired height and curvature. Press upper and lower switches for desired lumbar support.

Adjusting Armrests

1. Turn armrest adjustment knob until desired inclination has been reached. Repeat on other side.

Using Throttle Lever

NOTE: Always operate at full throttle for best mowing performance.

• Push throttle lever forward to operate engine at FULL THROTTLE.

• Pull lever back to set engine at IDLE speed.

Using Park Brake

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Never use the park brake while driving. Apply park brake after machine is stopped.

Locking Hand Brake

• Pull up on hand brake lever and latch into position.

Unlocking The Hand Brake

1. Pull up on hand brake lever.

2. Press release button on lever.

3. Release lever.

Using Parking Light

NOTE: Parking lights will stay on after key is removed.

Push switch beyond On position to switch on parking lights.

Adjusting Steering Wheel

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not attempt to adjust the steering wheel while the machine is moving. The operator can lose control of the machine. • Stop the machine before adjusting the steering wheel. • Lock the steering wheel in position before driving the machine.

1. Turn steering column tilt lever counterclockwise.

2. Put steering wheel in desired position.

3. Secure position by turning lever clockwise.

Unlocking Front Wheel Motors

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The machine will have unrestricted motion with the free-wheeling tools installed and may cause the operator to lose control of the machine if on an incline with front wheel motors unlocked. • When on an incline, mount a rigid tow bar onto another machine to prevent unintentional free-wheeling of machine.

DM1283

1. If machine (A) broke down while on an incline, hook up the machine onto another machine (B) using a rigid tow bar (C) to prevent unintentional free-wheeling of machine.

NOTE: Your machine is provided with special tools required to enable freewheeling of the front wheel motors.

DM0735

Picture Note: Wheel motors are located at the inside of front wheels.

2. Mount bolt (D) into wheel motor ensuring tool is resting on outer edge of wheel motor.

3. Turn nut (E) clockwise to release stationary brake.

4. Repeat at other front wheel motor.

5. Tow machine slowly. If attached to another machine on an incline, slowly move machine to level ground. Then slowly tow machine.

6. Remove bolts and tools.

7. Remove tow bar.

Using Weight Transfer System

• Turn Weight Transfer knob clockwise to transfer weight to wheels to increase traction.

• Turn knob counterclockwise to transfer weight to mower(s).

Hour Meter

The hour meter records the number of hours the engine has run. Electronic hour meters can be read with the key switch in the on position and the park brake engaged. Use the hour meter and the service interval chart to determine when service procedures need to be performed on the machine and attachment.

Testing Safety Systems

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.

The safety systems installed on your machine should be checked before each machine use. Be sure you have read the machine operator manual and are completely familiar with the operation of the machine before performing these safety system checks.

Use the following checkout procedures to check for normal operation of machine.

If there is a malfunction during one of these procedures, do not operate machine. See your authorized dealer for service.

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

Testing Lower Lock Switch

NOTE: For the engine to run, the start conditions must be met.

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Set lower/lock switch to lock position.

4. Try to start engine.

If engine starts, there is a malfunction in your safety interlock system. See your John Deere dealer for repair.

Testing Park Brake Switch

NOTE: For the engine to run, the start conditions must be met.

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Unlock park brake.

4. Try to start engine.

If engine starts, there is a malfunction in your safety interlock system. See your John Deere dealer for repair.

Testing Seat Switch

NOTE: For the engine to run, the start conditions must be met.

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Start engine.

4. Unlock the park brake.

5. Raise up off seat. Do not get off machine.

If engine does not halt, a malfunction has occurred in your safety interlock system. See your John Deere dealer for repair.

Testing Neutral Switch

NOTE: For the engine to run, the start conditions must be met.

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

2. Sit on seat.

3. Operate driving pedal.

4. Start the engine.

Result: Engine must not start.

If engine starts, there is a malfunction in your safety interlock system. See your John Deere dealer for repair.

Testing Park Brake

1. Stop machine on a 17? slope (30%). Stop the engine and lock the park brake. The park brake should not be engaged with more than 220 N (49.5 lb) of force.

Starting the Engine

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.

1. Sit in seat.

2. Set throttle lever to idle position.

3. Do not operate foot pedal.

4. Lock park brake.

5. Set lower/lock switch to lock position.

6. Turn key to first position. Wait for the glow indicator to go out.

• If engine is warm, the glow indicator may not come on.

7. Set throttle lever to correct position.

• If outside temperature is higher than 0? C (32? F) do not operate the throttle lever.

• If outside temperature is lower than 0? C (32? F), set lever to full throttle.

8. Turn key to start engine.

Using Travel Controls

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward: • Carefully check the area around the machine. • Disengage the mower before backing up.

Driving Machine

1. Start the engine

2. Push throttle lever forward to the fast idle position for transporting and mowing.

3. Unlock park brake.

DM1110

4. Begin travelling by pushing driving pedal forward (A) or backward (B).

5. Slowly release driving pedal to stop machine.

Stopping the Engine

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Children or bystanders may attempt to move or operate an unattended machine. Always lock the park brake and remove the key before leaving the machine unattended.

1. Push PTO knob down to the off position.

2. Move the motion control levers to the neutral lock position.

3. Set throttle lever to idle position.

4. Lock park brake.

5. Turn key back to stop position.

Emergency Stop

Release motion control levers quickly.

Driving Mower To Work Site

NOTE: When driving mower a long distance, set lower/ lock switch to lock position to prevent unintentional lowering from mower(s).

• Set lower/lock switch to lock position.

Lifting and Lowering the Mower(s)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not raise the attachment on slopes or when traveling at high speeds, as the machine could become unstable. Avoid hard braking with attachment raised. The PTO will continue to run after the attachment is raised. Turn off PTO before raising attachment. The attachment will lower when the lift lever is pushed forward, even when the engine is off and operator is not on the seat. Never operate controls while not on seat. Check that the area under the attachment is clear before lowering.

DM2971

NOTE: Lifting an attachment will cause the blades to stop.

Using Mowers

1. Set lower/lock switch (A) to lower position.

2. Set switch “blades on/off” (B) to off position.

3. Start engine.

To Lift Front Mower / 3 Meter Mower (Optional)

• Move lift switch (C) backward.

To Lift Wing Mower / Right Blade of 3 Meter Mower (Optional)

• Move lift lever (D) backward.

To Lift Left Blade of 3 Meter Mower (Optional

• Move lift lever (E) backward.

To Lower Front Mower / 3 Meter Mower (Optional)

• Move lift lever (C) forward.

To Lower Wing Mower (1515)

• Move right lever (D) forward to enable lowering of wing attachment. Keep lever in this position during mowing.

NOTE: The mower will stop mowing when the unit is raised more than approximately 40 cm (15.74 inch) from the ground. Blades will keep rotating until this height is reached. Adjust the height of cut using the lifting lever.

Using Cross Cut Switch

NOTE: The cross cut switch is used to lift the attachment momentarily and lower again quickly during operation. The attachment will lift or lower when the cross cut switch is activated and throttle lever is at full throttle.

• Push in cross cut switch briefly to lift mower to a factory-preset height.

• Operate switch again to lower mower.

NOTE: To lift unit entirely keep the cross cut switch pushed in.

Transporting Machine on Trailer (1505 / 1515)

NOTE: Trailer capacity must exceed combined machine weight and attachment weight. (See Specifications section in operator’s manual).

Be sure trailer has all the necessary lights and signs required by law.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine onto a trailer or truck. • Park trailer on a level surface. • Use of a trailer with sides is recommended. • Keep wheels away from drop-offs and edges. • Back slowly and in a straight line. • Close fuel shut-off valve, if your machine is equipped.

1. Park trailer on a level surface.

2. Stop PTO.

3. Drive machine onto heavy-duty trailer with attachment (if equipped) raised. Position machine on trailer so hood or engine cover will not raise in wind while being transported.

4. Lower attachment (if equipped) completely.

5. Lock park brake.

6. Turn off machine and remove key.

7. Close the fuel shutoff valve (diesel model only).

8. Fasten machine to trailer as follows:

MX45129

• When equipped with a front attachment, fasten front of machine around each mower tower (A) to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Straps must be directed down and outward from machine.

MX44222

• When not equipped with a front attachment, fasten front of machine at both sides of front axle (B) to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Straps must be directed down and outward from machine.

MX45130

• Fasten to rear bumper (C) at rear of machine to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Straps must be directed down and outward from machine.

9. Be certain that tie down devices, when secured, do not contact any other machine component.

10. Check that engine cover is closed and latched. Fold ROPS to avoid overhead clearance problems while on trailer.