Operating Guide

ManualsBrandsJohn Deere ManualsLawn MowersZ530R 24-HP V-Twin Dual Hydrostatic 54-in Zero-Turn Lawn Mower with Mulching Capability (Kit Sold Separately) CARB

Table Of Contents

Introduction
- Thank You for Purchasing a John Deere Product
- Using Your Operator’s Manual
- Spark Arrestor
- Special Messages
- Parts
  - Order Service Parts Online
- Service Literature
Contents
Product Identification
- Record Identification Numbers
- Register Your Product and Warranty Online
Safety Labels with Text
- Safety Label Location
- Understanding the Machine Safety Labels
  - French or Spanish Safety Labels and Operator’s Manual
- WARNING
  - Avoid Crushing
- WARNING
- DANGER
- WARNING
- CAUTION
- DANGER
- DANGER
- DANGER
  - ROTATING BLADE
  - THROWN OBJECTS
Safety Labels without Text
- Safety Label Location
- Understanding the Machine Safety Labels without Text
- Avoid Injury from Crushing
  - Avoid Crushing
- Avoid Injury from Loaded Spring
- Avoid Injury from Equipment Fires
- Avoid Injury from Getting Caught in Belts
- Avoid Injury from Rotating Blades
- Read Operator’s Manual
- Avoid Injury from Thrown Objects
- Keep Children Away from Mower
- Avoid Serious Injury or Death from Tipping
Safety
- Use Your Mower Safely
- Preventing Injuries
  - Protect Children
  - Avoid Thrown Objects
- Operating on Slopes and Near Terrain Hazards
- Use Seat Belt Properly
- Rollover Protection System (ROPS) - Use and Maintenance
- Prevent Fires
- Parking Safely
- Additional Safety Information
Machine Cleanout
- General Cleaning Guidelines
- Cleanout Areas
Operating Controls
- Operator’s Station Controls
Operating
- Daily Operating Checklist
- Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces
- Using Operator Display Unit (If Equipped)
  - Operator Display Unit
  - Numeric RPM Display
- Using the Hour Meter and MowerPlus Fuel Gauge (If Equipped)
  - Hour Meter
  - MowerPlusMowerPlus is a trademark of Deere & Company Fuel Gauge (If Equipped)
- Using Electronic Throttle Control (If Equipped)
  - Custom RPM Mode
- Mounting and Dismounting Machine
- Adjusting Seat
  - E-Series Seat
  - M- and R-Series Seat with ComfortGlide
- Adjusting Armrests
- Adjusting Motion Control Levers
- Adjusting Cutting Height
- Adjusting Mower Wheels
  - .
- Testing Safety Systems
- Testing Park Brake Switch
- Testing Park Brake
- Testing Mower Engagement (PTO) Switch
- Testing Seat Switch (E- and M-Series)
- Testing Seat Switch (R-Series)
- Testing Motion Control Lever Switch
- Using Seat Belt
- Raising and Lowering the ROPS
  - Raising the ROPS
  - Lowering the ROPS to the Fully Lowered Position
  - Lowering the ROPS to the Intermediate Position
- Checking Fuel Level
  - Sight Window
  - MowerPlusMowerPlus is a trademark of Deere & Company Fuel Gauge (If Equipped)
- Using Park Brake
- Using Key Switch
- Using Mower Engagement Switch
- Using the Motion Control Levers
  - Start/Shutdown Position
  - Neutral Position
  - Forward and Reverse Travel
  - Left Turn
  - Right Turn
- Starting the Engine
  - Z515E, Z530M, and Z530R
  - Z545R with Electronic Throttle Control
- Engaging Mower
  - Z515E, Z530M, Z530R
  - Z545R with Electronic Throttle Control
- Stopping the Engine
- Unplugging Mower
- Using Headlights (If Equipped)
- Moving Machine by Hand
- Unplugging Mower, Bagger, or Material Collection System
  - Checking for Plugging While Driving
  - Removing Debris from Inspection Points:
- Using Wash Port to Clean Mower Deck
- Transporting Machine on Trailer
- Transporting Material Collection System (If Equipped)
- Towing Loads
- Mowing Tips
- Blade Choices
Service Intervals
- Servicing Your Machine
- Service Intervals
Service Lubrication
- Grease
- Lubricating Mower Deck Spindles
  - 48A, 54A, and 60A Mower Decks
  - 48HC, 54HC, and 60HC Mower Deck
Service Engine
- Emissions Service Information
  - Emission Control System Certification Label
  - Altitude Adjustment (Gasoline or Propane Converted Engines Only)
- Avoid Fumes
- Gasoline Engine Oil
- Checking Engine Oil Level
  - Z515E
  - Z530M, Z530R, and Z545R
- Changing Engine Oil and Filter
- Cleaning Engine Screen Guard
- Cleaning Engine Shroud
- Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Element
- Checking Spark Plug
- Replacing Fuel Filter
- Spark Arrestor Maintenance (If Equipped)
- Cleaning Spark Arrestor
  - Z515E, Z530M, Z530R
  - Z545R
Service Transmission
- Transaxle Oil
- Checking Transaxle Oil Level
- Changing Transaxle Oil and Filter
- Checking and Adjusting Neutral Creep
- Adjusting Tracking
- Cleaning Transaxle Cooling Fans
- Checking and Replacing Transaxle/Transmission Drive Belt
  - Checking Transaxle/Transmission Drive Belt
  - Replacing Transaxle/Transmission Drive Belt
Service Mower
- Mower Deck Identification
- Checking and Adjusting Mower Level
  - Quick Leveling Method
  - Optional Leveling Method
- Removing and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate
  - Removing Foot Plate
  - Installing Foot Plate
- Removing Mower Deck
- Installing Mower Deck
- Replacing Mower Drive Belt
- Checking for Bent Mower Blades
- Servicing Mower Blades
  - Removing Mower Blades
  - Installing Mower Blades
Service Electrical
- Electrical
- Service the Battery Safely
- Removing and Installing the Battery
  - Removing
  - Installing
- Cleaning Battery and Terminals
- Using Booster Battery
- Replacing Fuses
Service Miscellaneous
- Using Proper Fuel and Stabilizer
- Filling Fuel Tank
- Lifting Machine
- Checking ROPS Hardware
- Checking Tire Pressure
- Removing and Installing Wheel Assembly
  - Removing
  - Installing
- Removing and Installing Front Caster Wheels
  - Disassembly:
  - Assembly
- Removing and Installing Side Style Covers
- Cleaning and Repairing Metal Surfaces
Troubleshooting
- Using Troubleshooting Chart
- Engine
- Electrical
- Machine
- Mower
Storage
- Storing Safety
- Preparing Machine for Storage
- Preparing Fuel and Engine For Storage
  - Fuel:
  - Engine:
- Removing Machine From Storage
Specifications
- Engine
- Drivetrain
- Travel Speeds at Full Engine RPM
- Electrical System
- Fuel System
- Tires
- Capacities
- Dimensions
- Mower Decks
- Recommended Lubricants
Warranty
- Product Warranty
  - United States
  - Canada
- California and U.S. EPA Emissions Control System Warranty Statement (Off-Road Gas Engines)
- Tire Warranty
- Limited Battery Warranty For Factory Installed Batteries
John Deere Quality Statement
- John Deere Quality
Service Record
- Record Service Dates
Slope Gauge
- Slope Gauge Template
Index

● Lower machine onto jack stands or other stable supports

and block wheels before servicing.

NOTE: Remove any material collection system attachments before

lifting the machine.

GXT002211—UN—09JUN15

2. Safely lift rear of the machine frame points (A). Place jack stands or

other stable supports onto transaxle locations (B).

MX101505—UN—11MAY20

3. Safely lift front of the machine at the machine frame point (C). Place

jack stands or other stable supports onto the machine frame

locations (D).

4. If only lifting front of machine, block rear wheels remaining on

ground to avoid movement of the machine.

5. To lower the machine, lift front and/or rear of machine, and remove

jack stands or supports. Lower the machine.

SB31882,000040B-19-11MAY20

Checking ROPS Hardware

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

NOTE: When tightening ROPS hardware, tighten the nut side and not

the bolt head side.

MX101397—UN—11JUN20

2. Tighten two nuts (A) on each side of ROPS to specication.

Specication

ROPS Flange Nut (A)—Torque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.5 ±10 N·m

(38 ±7 lb·ft)

MX101525—UN—11JUN20

3. Tighten one screw (B) on each side of ROPS to specication.

Specication

ROPS Cap Screw (B)—Torque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 ±25 N·m

(100 ±18 lb·ft)

4. Tighten two nuts (C) on each side of ROPS to specication.

Specication

ROPS Flange Nut (C)—Torque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 51.5 ±10 N·m

(38 ±7 lb·ft)

MX101526—UN—11JUN20

5. Tighten one nut (D) on each side of ROPS to specication.

Specication

ROPS Flange Nut (D)—Torque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 ±25 N·m

(100 ±18 lb·ft)

6. Tighten one nut (E) on each side of ROPS to specication.

Service Miscellaneous