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
2. Disengage attachment engagement lever / switch. (See Engaging
and Disengaging Mower in the Operating section.)
3. Fully depress the brake pedal.
APY38190—UN—07JUL20
4. Push throttle lever (A) forward to full throttle position (B).
5. Turn ignition to START (not more than 5 seconds).
6. If engine is cold:
● Push throttle lever (A) into choke area (C) and hold.
● Turn ignition to START (not more than 5 seconds).
● Release choke to full throttle position.
NOTE: Run engine at full throttle when operating mower or other
attachments.
SR99263,000029E-19-07JUL20
Idling the Engine
IMPORTANT: Unnecessary engine idling may cause engine or
transmission damage. Excessive idling can cause engine
overheating, carbon build-up, and poor performance.
Idling or low throttle operation while mowing, climbing hills,
or towing could result in transmission overheating. Always
operate at full throttle once the engine is warm.
Do not operate machine with hood open. Hood must be
closed for proper engine cooling and exhaust.
● Engine is air cooled and needs a large volume of air to keep cool.
Keep air intake screen on top of engine clean.
● Keep hood closed when engine is idling.
SR99263,0000039-19-10JUL18
Stopping the Engine
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not stop the engine by moving
choke control to the choke position. Backre, re or engine
damage can occur. Follow recommended procedure for
stopping engine.
1. Let engine run at high throttle without load for a few seconds.
2. Turn key to STOP position. Engine will stop and headlights will turn
o.
3. Remove key.
4. Lock the park brake.
SR99263,000029D-19-03APR20
Using Travel Controls on Hydrostatic Transmission
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.
Travel Forward
APY33767—UN—06APR20
Tractor with PTO Lever
● Push down the forward travel pedal (A).
Travel in Reverse
NOTE: Any operating attachment and the engine stop as the reverse
motion pedal is pressed with attachment engaged.
APY36160—UN—10JUL20
Tractor with PTO Switch
1. Disengage attachment:
● On models with mechanical attachment engagement lever (B),
pull lever back to the o position.
● On models with electric attachment engagement switch, push
switch in location (C) (not shown above) down to the o position.
2. Look behind the machine to be sure there are no bystanders
nearby.
3. Slowly push down the reverse travel pedal (D).
Operating
23