Operating Guide
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Contents
- Product Identification
- Safety Labels with Text
- Safety Labels without Text
- Safety Label Location
- Understanding the Machine Safety Labels without Text
- Avoid Injury from Loaded Spring
- Avoid Injury from Rotating Blades
- Avoid Injury from Getting Caught in Belts
- Read Operator’s Manual
- Keep Children Away from Mower
- Avoid Injury from Thrown Objects
- Avoid Injury From Tipping
- Avoid Injury From Thrown Objects
- Avoid Injury from Equipment Fires
- Safety
- Machine Cleanout
- Operating Controls
- Operating
- Daily Operating Checklist
- Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces
- Mounting and Dismounting Machine
- Adjusting Seat
- Adjusting Armrests
- Adjusting Motion Control Levers
- Adjusting Cutting Height
- Adjusting Mower Level
- Adjusting Mower Wheels
- Testing Safety Systems
- Testing Park Brake Switch
- Testing Park Brake
- Testing Mower Engagement (PTO) Switch
- Testing Seat Switch
- Testing Motion Control Lever Switch
- Using Park Brake
- Using Key Switch
- Using Low Fuel Indicator Light
- Using Mower Engagement Switch
- Using the Hour Meter
- Using the Motion Control Levers
- Starting the Engine
- Engaging Mower
- Using MulchControl (If Equipped)
- Unplugging Mower
- Stopping the Engine
- Moving Machine by Hand
- Unplugging Mower, Bagger, or Material Collection System
- 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
- Service Lubrication
- Service Engine
- Emissions Service Information
- Avoid Fumes
- Gasoline Engine Oil
- Checking Engine Oil Level
- Changing Conventional Engine Oil and Filter
- Changing John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System (If Equipped)
- Cleaning Air Intake Screen and Engine Fins
- Cleaning Engine Shroud
- Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Element
- Checking Spark Plug
- Replacing Fuel Filter
- Cleaning Engine Screen Guard
- Spark Arrestor Maintenance (If Equipped)
- Cleaning Spark Arrestor
- Service Transmission
- Service Mower
- Mower Deck Identification
- Removing and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate
- Removing Mower Deck (42A)
- Removing Mower Deck (48A and 54A Mower Decks)
- Installing Mower Deck (42A)
- Installing Mower Deck (48A and 54A Mower Decks)
- Replacing Mower Drive Belt (42A Mower)
- Replacing Mower Drive Belt (48A and 54A Mower Decks)
- Installing MulchControl Discharge Plate (If Equipped)
- Installing MulchControl Deflector (If Equipped)
- Installing MulchControl Handle (If Equipped)
- Removing and Storing MulchControl Deck (If Equipped)
- Installing Mulch Blades
- Checking for Bent Mower Blades
- Servicing Mower Blades
- Service Electrical
- Service Miscellaneous
- Troubleshooting
- Storage
- Specifications
- Warranty
- John Deere Quality Statement
- Service Record
- Slope Gauge
- Index
IF CHECK
Loose hose connection at fuel
lter or fuel pump.
Engine Overheats Engine air intake screen
plugged.
Cooling ns plugged.
Engine oil low or too high.
Engine operated too long at a
slow idle speed.
Engine Will Not Idle Spark plug not gapped correctly.
Faulty spark plug.
Operator raising o the seat.
Engine Knocks Stale or low octane fuel.
Engine overloaded.
Low engine speed.
Oil level low.
Engine Stops Or Misses When
Operating On Hillsides
Fuel tank less than half full of
fuel.
Operator raising o of the seat.
Engine Backres Faulty spark plug.
Operator raising o of the seat.
Engine Loses Power Engine overheating.
Too much oil in engine.
Dirty air cleaner.
Faulty spark plug.
Travel speed is too fast for
conditions.
Improper fuel.
Excessive Fuel Consumption Choke is not fully open.
Black Exhaust Smoke Air lter is dirty or oil soaked.
TH84124,0000246-19-06JUL15
Electrical
IF CHECK
Starter Does Not Work Or Will
Not Turn Engine
Park brake not locked.
Mower is engaged.
Battery terminals are corroded.
Battery not charged.
Motion control levers not in Start/
Shutdown position.
Blown fuse.
Defective key switch
Battery Will Not Charge Dead cell in the battery.
Blown charging fuse.
Battery cables and terminals are
dirty.
Low engine speed or excessive
idling.
Lights Do Not Work Light plug disconnected.
Loose or burned out bulb.
Blown headlight fuse.
MP47322,00F467D-19-15MAR13
Machine
IF CHECK
Machine Vibrates Too Much Or
Rattles Excessively
Attachment drive belts worn or
damaged.
Mower blades not balanced.
Traction drive belt damaged or
worn.
Dirt on drive sheaves.
Machine Will Not Move With
Engine Running
Transmission hydraulic oil level
low.
Transmission belt broke.
Bypass valve levers are
engaged.
Machine Moves With Engine
Running And Hydrostatic Control
In Neutral
Linkage out of adjustment.
Transmission neutral out of
adjustment.
Mower Lift Will Not Latch in
Transport
Ensure linkage is adjusted
correctly and is not loose or
binding.
Loosen all four corners to drop
the deck when it is at 2-1/2 inch
height-of-cut. Re-level using
Optional Leveling Procedure.
Front of machine squeaks while
driving
Lubricate mower front draft rod at
front and rear pivot points.
MP47322,00F467E-19-06JUL20
Mower
IF CHECK
Discharge Chute Plugged Travel speed too fast.
Grass too long.
Grass too wet.
Engine rpm not at mow position.
Restricted air ow.
Belt installed incorrectly.
Adjust cutting height to remove
only 1/3 of grass at a time.
Patches Of Grass Uncut Travel speed too fast.
Engine rpm not at mow position.
Mower deck needs cleaning.
Belt Slipping Debris in sheaves.
Worn belt.
Belt tension is incorrect.
Too Much Vibration Debris on mower deck or in
sheaves.
Damaged drive belt.
Damaged sheaves or sheaves
out of alignment.
Blades out of balance.
Blades Scalping Grass Cutting too low.
Mower wheels not adjusted
correctly.
Turning speed too fast.
Ridges in terrain.
Rough or uneven terrain.
Low tire pressure.
Mower Loads Down Tractor Engine rpm too low.
Travel speed too fast.
Debris wrapped around mower
spindles.
Adjust cutting height to remove
only 1/3 of grass at a time.
Uneven Cut Mower deck not leveled properly.
Travel speed too fast.
Troubleshooting
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