Operating Guide

● Engine components may become dirty or plugged when
operating in extreme heat, dust or other severe
conditions.
● Engine oil can degrade if machine is operated constantly
at slow or low engine speeds or for frequent short
periods of time.
High-pressure washing can cause damage to machine
components. It is recommended that your vehicle be
washed by hand or with a garden hose using mild soap.
Avoid spraying water with any great force near or into the
following places:
● Air intake
● Electrical connections (including battery compartment)
● Wheel bearings
● Radiator (if equipped)
● Warning labels
● Other labels
● Ignition switch
● Instrument panel (gauges and switches)
● Breather/tube vents
● Mower spindles
● Mower idler bearings
● Transmission cooling fans
Please use the following timetables to perform routine maintenance on
your machine.
Park the vehicle safely. (See Park Safely in the SAFETY Section.)
SU68010,0000095-19-23MAY18
Service Intervals
Every 8 Hours or Daily
● Clean mu󰀪er area.
● Clean air intake screens.
● Clean mower deck.
● Clean mower deck using washout port.
Every 50 Hours or Annually (Whichever Comes First)
● Change engine oil. (Service more frequently under dusty
conditions.)
● Replace engine oil lter. (Service more frequently under dusty
conditions.)
● Lubricate mower deck spindles.
● Lubricate mower idler arm. (All decks except 42A)
● Check mower deck level. Level if necessary.
Every 100 Hours or Annually (Whichever Comes First)
● Replace spark plugs.
● Replace air lter element(s). (Service more frequently under dusty
conditions.)
● Replace fuel lter.
● Check mower belt. Replace if necessary.
● Sharpen / replace mower blades.
● Clean underside of deck.
● Check tire pressure.
● Clean engine cooling ns.
● If there is debris that cannot be blown out, remove blower housing
for complete cleaning.
Every 200 Hours
● Check / adjust engine valve clearance. See your John Deere dealer
for this service.
SB31882,00003B7-19-28MAY20
Service Lubrication
Grease
IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! Use recommended John Deere
greases to avoid component failure and premature wear.
The following grease is recommended for service:
● John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease
● Grease-Gard™ Premium Plus
Not all grease types are compatible; John Deere does not recommend
mixing greases. If using any product other than the recommended
grease in service, purge any remaining grease from the system before
application. If not practical, grease twice as often until all old grease is
purged from the system.
OUMX068,0000642-19-03APR19
Lubricating Mower Deck Spindles
NOTE: Removal of belt shields is not necessary to lubricate the
spindles.
1. Remove the foot plate. (See Service Mower section for Removing
and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate.)
2. Lubricate each mower deck spindle with two pumps of grease at
specied intervals as indicated:
48A, 54A, and 60A Mower Decks
MX101413—UN—20APR20
48A Deck Shown
● Raise spindle cover (A) and lubricate spindle grease tting (B).
● Raise opposite spindle cover and lubricate spindle grease tting.
● Lubricate the center spindle grease tting (C).
● Lubricate the idler arm (D).
Service Lubrication
30