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
- Read Operator’s Manual
- Keep Children Away from Mower
- Avoid Serious Injury or Death from Tipping
- Avoid Injury from Getting Caught in Belts
- Avoid Injury from Equipment Fires
- Avoid Injury from Rotating Blades
- Avoid Injury from Hot Surfaces
- Avoid Injury from Rotating Blades and Thrown Objects
- Safety
- Machine Cleanout
- Operating Controls
- Operating
- Daily Operating Checklist
- Adjusting Seat
- Adjusting Cutting Height
- Checking and Adjusting Mower Deck Level
- Adjusting Mower Deck Wheels
- Testing Safety Systems
- Testing Park Brake Switch
- Testing Park Brake
- Testing Attachment Engagement Switch or Lever
- Testing Seat Switch
- Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO)
- Using the Park Brake
- Checking Fuel Level (If Equipped)
- Using Hourmeter and MowerPlus™ Fuel Gauge (If Equipped)
- Using Key Switch and Headlights
- Starting the Engine
- Idling the Engine
- Stopping the Engine
- Using Travel Controls on Hydrostatic Transmission
- Using The Reverse Implement Option (RIO)
- Using Cruise Control (If Equipped)
- Engaging and Disengaging Mower
- Using Wash Port to Clean Mower Deck
- Unplugging Mower, Bagger, or Material Collection System
- Moving Machine by Hand
- Transporting Machine on Trailer
- Transporting Material Collection System (If Equipped)
- Using Weights
- Using Tire Chains
- Using Accessories
- Choosing Mower Blades
- Mowing Tips
- Towing Loads
- Service Intervals
- Service Lubrication
- Service Engine
- Emissions Service Information
- Avoid Fumes
- Engine Oil
- Checking Engine Oil Level
- Changing John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System (If Equipped)
- Changing Engine Oil and Filter on models not equipped with the John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System
- Cleaning Air Intake Screen and Engine Fins
- Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Elements (S100 and S110)
- Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Elements (S120, S130, and S140)
- Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Elements (S160, S170, and S180)
- Checking and Cleaning Emission Filter (If Equipped)
- Checking Spark Plug
- Replacing Fuel Filter
- Spark Arrestor Maintenance (If Equipped)
- Service Transmission
- Service Mower
- Removing or Installing Mower Drive Belt at Engine Drive Sheave (42 in, 48 in, and 54 in Mower Deck)
- Removing Mower Deck (42 in Mower Deck)
- Removing Mower Deck (48 in and 54 in Mower Decks)
- Installing Mower Deck (42 in Mower Deck)
- Installing Mower Deck (48 in and 54 in Mower Decks)
- Replacing Mower Drive Belt (42 in Mower Deck)
- Replacing Mower Drive Belt (48 in and 54 in Mower Decks)
- Checking for Bent Mower Blades
- Servicing Mower Blades
- Sharpening Blades
- Balancing Blades
- Service Electrical
- Service Miscellaneous
- Using Proper Fuel and Stabilizer
- Filling Fuel Tank
- Lifting Machine
- Checking Tire Pressure
- Removing and Installing Hood
- Cleaning Plastic Surfaces
- Cleaning and Repairing Metal Surfaces
- Avoid Damage to Plastic and Painted Surfaces
- Removing and Installing Front Wheel Assembly
- Removing and Installing Rear Wheel Assembly
- Troubleshooting
- Storage
- Specifications
- Warranty
- John Deere Quality Statement
- Service Record
- Slope Gauge
- Index
Service Intervals
Servicing Your Machine
IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! High-pressure washing can damage
to machine components.
Operating in extreme conditions require more frequent
service intervals:
● Engine components 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.
Use the following timetables to perform routine maintenance on your
machine.
Park the vehicle safely. (See the Safety section.)
OUMX068,000052F-19-12APR19
Service Intervals
Initial Service 8 Hours
● Lubricate mower spindles and pivot points.
● Check mower deck spindle brakes (Manual PTO)
● Lubricate front axle pivot and axle spindles.
● Lubricate front axle wheel bushings.
Every 25 Hours
● Lubricate mower spindles and pivot points.
● Lubricate front axle pivot and axle spindles.
● Lubricate front axle wheel bushings.
Yearly or Every 50 Hours (Whichever Comes First)
● Replace engine oil & lter, OR Easy Change ™ 30-Second Oil
Change System (If equipped).
● Replace air lter element(s).
● Replace fuel lter.
● Replace spark plug(s).
● Clean engine cooling ns.
● Clean/Replace emission lter (If equipped).
● Sharpen/replace mower blades.
● Check/replace mower drive belts.
● Check/level mower deck.
● Clean mower deck.
● Check mower deck spindle brakes (Manual PTO).
● Clean battery terminals.
Every 200 Hours
● Check/adjust valve clearance. (See your John Deere dealer for this
service.)
RM87422,00007BB-19-17JUL17
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 Front Axle
APY36164—UN—10JUL20
Wheel Spindles and Bushings
● Lubricate front wheel spindle grease tting (A) and wheel hub
grease tting (B), one on each side, with one or two shots of
general all-purpose grease.
NOTE: Wheel hub grease tting (B) is not present on S180 model.
Front Axle Pivot
● Lubricate front axle center pivot grease tting (C) with one or two
shots of general all-purpose grease.
MG39705,00004EC-19-28JUL20
Lubricating Pivot Points
42 in Mower Deck:
APY36163—UN—10JUL20
● Lubricate the two spindle grease ttings (A) with one or two shots of
general all-purpose grease.
Service Intervals
28