Operating

NOTE: Installing all four springs is also recommended for use with the Optional High-Back Seat. Additional springs and the high-back seat are available at your John Deere dealer.

Adjusting Cutting Height

NOTE: Lift lever should be in transport position before turning cutting height knob.

Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 25-100 mm (1-4 in). When lift lever is in transport position, cutting height is approximately 100 mm (4 in).

1. Put lift lever in transport position.

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2. Turn mower cutting height knob (A) to desired cutting height. Mower will be at that cutting height when it is lowered.

3. Adjust mower wheels.

Adjusting Mower Deck Wheels


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower: · Disconnect spark plug wire(s) to prevent engine from starting accidently. · Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The mower deck can be damaged if mower wheels are adjusted wrong: · Wheels must not ride on ground supporting mower weight. · Check wheel adjustment each time cutting height is changed.

1. Park machine safely on a level surface.

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Move lift lever to the transport position and adjust cutting height.

4. Move lift lever to the mowing position.

NOTE: Bottom of wheels should be approximately 3-13 mm (1/8-1/2 in.) from the ground.

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5. Check mower wheel position, remove bolt (E) and nut (F) on both wheels and move wheels to proper hole:

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Hole	38-Inch & 48C	Freedom42
A	64 mm (2.5-In.) and above	76 mm (3-In.) and above
B	51 mm (2-In.)	64 mm (2.5-In.)
C	38 mm (1.5-In.)	51 mm (2-In.)
D	25 mm (1-In.)	38 mm (1.5-In.)

6. Install bolts and nuts and tighten to:

· 38-Inch: 39 N·m (29 lb-ft.) (345 lb-in.)

· Freedom42: 37 N·m (27 lb-ft.) (328 lb-in.)

· 48C: 37 N·m (27 lb-ft.) (328 lb-in.)

Adjusting Mower Level (Side-to-Side)


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower: · Disconnect spark plug wire(s) to prevent engine from starting accidently. · Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact the ground when leveling the deck.

1. Park machine safely on a level surface.

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in).

4. Put lift lever in mowing position.

NOTE: The difference between blade measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in).

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Picture Note: A convenient leveling gauge (A) is available from your John Deere dealer.

5. Position mower blades as follows and measure from each outside blade tip (B) to the level surface:

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· 38-inch and 48C mowers:

Turn left blade (C) as shown. Hold drive belt and turn right blade (D) as shown. Take measurement for both blades.

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Picture Note: Underside of deck shown.

· Freedom42 mulching mower:

Turn blade (E) as shown. Take measurement. Rotate blades 90° so that blade (F) is positioned as shown. Take measurement.

NOTE: Cutting height can closely match knob setting by adjusting lift links on both sides of deck.

Deck will not lock in Transport position if adjusted too high.

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Picture Note: Left side shown.

6. Adjust lift links by turning nut (G) clockwise to raise left side of mower, counterclockwise to lower left side of mower.

Adjusting Mower Level (Front-to-Rear)


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower: · Disconnect spark plug wire(s) to prevent engine from starting accidently. · Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

NOTE: Mower wheels should not contact the ground during leveling.

1. Park machine safely on a level surface.

2. Inflate tires to the correct pressure.

3. Adjust cutting height to 50 mm (2 in).

4. Put lift lever in mowing position.

5. Turn right blade so blade tip points straight forward.

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6. Measure from each blade tip to the surface:

· 38 and 48C decks:

The front blade tip must be 6-9 mm (1/4-3/8 in.) lower than rear blade tip.

· Freedom42 mulching mower:

The difference between front and rear blade tip measurements must not be more than 3 mm (1/8 in).

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7. Turn front adjuster nut (A) clockwise to raise front of mower deck or counterclockwise to lower front of mower deck.

8. Measure blade tips again and adjust if necessary.

Testing Safety Systems

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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death. Move the vehicle to an outside area before running the engine. Do not run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation. · Connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe to direct the exhaust fumes out of the area. · Allow fresh outside air into the work area to clear the exhaust fumes out.

Use the following checkout procedure to check for normal operation of machine.

If there is a malfunction during one of these procedures, Do not operate machine. See your John Deere dealer for service.

Perform these tests in a clear open area. Keep bystanders away.

Testing Mower Engagement Lever Switch

1. Sit on the seat.

2. Lock the park brake.

CONSOLE

3. Push mower engagement lever (A) forward to engage.

4. Try to start engine.

Result: Engine must not start. If engine starts, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Seat Switch

1. Sit on seat.

2. Lock the park brake.

CONSOLE

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Start engine and move throttle lever (B) to half-speed position.

5. Push mower engagement lever (A) forward to engage.

6. Move throttle lever to fast speed position.

7. Raise up off of seat, but do not get off tractor.

Result: Engine will begin to stop. If engine does not begin to stop, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Park Brake Switch

1. Sit on seat.

2. Unlock the park brake.

CONSOLE

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Try to start engine.

Result: Engine must not start. If engine starts, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Brake Pedal Switch

1. Sit on seat.

2. Push brake pedal down.

CONSOLE

3. Pull mower engagement lever (A) back to disengage.

4. Put transmission in N (neutral).

5. Start engine and move throttle lever (B) to fast speed position.

6. Release brake pedal slowly.

7. Raise up off of seat, but do not get off tractor.

Result: Engine will begin to stop. If engine does not begin to stop, there is a problem with your safety interlock circuit.

Testing Park Brake

CONSOLE

1. Shut the engine off and lock the park brake (A).

2. Put transmission in N (neutral).

3. Try to push machine manually. Use free-wheeling lever on units with an automatic transmission.

Result: Park brake must prevent machine from moving. If machine moves, parking brake needs to be adjusted.

Testing Reverse Implement Option (RIO)

1. Start engine.

2. Engage mower.


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades. Before backing up, carefully check the area around the machine.

3. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders.

4. Begin reverse travel by depressing reverse foot pedal for Automatic transmission or moving gear shift lever to R (reverse) position for Gear transmission.

Result: Mower and engine should stop operation. If mower or engine continues to operate as tractor begins travel in reverse, do not continue to operate mower.

Using Park Brake

Locking park brake:

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1. Push and hold brake pedal (A) down.

2. Pull park brake lever (B) up to lock park brake.

3. Release brake pedal. Pedal should stay down and park brake lever should stay locked.

Unlocking park brake:

1. Push and hold brake pedal down.

2. Push park brake lever down to unlock park brake.

3. Release brake pedal.

Starting Engine


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death. Move the vehicle to an outside area before running the engine. Do not run an engine in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation. · Connect a pipe extension to the engine exhaust pipe to direct the exhaust fumes out of the area. · Allow fresh outside air into the work area to clear the exhaust fumes out.

NOTE: Engine will not start unless mower is disengaged and transmission is in neutral.

1. Push down brake pedal.

2. Check starting conditions:

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Picture Note: LT166 used for photo purposes.

· If engine is cold:

On model LT133 and LT155, move throttle lever (A) to the choke position.

On model LT166, move throttle lever (A) to the half-speed position and pull out choke knob (B). Gradually push in the choke knob after the engine starts and warms up.

· If engine is warm:

On model LT133 and LT155, move throttle lever (A) to the half-speed position.

On model LT166, pull out choke knob (B). Push choke knob in as soon as the engine starts.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Starter may be damaged if starter is operated for more than 20 seconds at a time: · Wait two minutes before trying again if engine does not start.

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3. Turn key to start position (C) for no longer than five seconds.

4. Release key to run position (D) when engine starts.

· If engine does not start, wait 10 seconds.

· Turn key to start position again for no longer than 5 seconds.

· Repeat procedure if necessary.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Unnecessary engine idling may cause engine damage. Excessive idling can cause engine overheating, carbon build-up, and poor performance.

5. Let engine run at half-speed position for a couple of minutes to warm-up before operating machine.

Stopping Engine

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1. Move throttle lever (A) into slow position and let engine idle for a few seconds.

M94336a

2. Turn key to STOP position (B). Engine will stop and headlights will turn off.

3. Lock the park brake.

4. Remove key.

Using Headlights

NOTE: Headlights will drain the battery rapidly if key switch is left in headlights position (B) without the engine running.

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A - STOP Position

B - Headlights `ON' Position

C - Run Position

D - Start Position

Turning Headlights ON/OFF (Engine OFF)

· ON - Turn key switch to headlights `ON' position (B) - lights will turn on. However, this will drain the battery rapidly, so do not leave headlights on for periods longer than 1 - 2 minutes.

· OFF - Turn key switch to STOP position (A) - lights will turn off.

Turning Headlights ON/OFF (Engine RUNNING)

· ON - Start engine, then turn key switch from run position (C) to headlights `ON' position (B) - lights will turn on.

· OFF - Turn key switch from headlights position (B):

· to run position (C) - lights will turn off and engine will continue to run.

· to STOP position (A) - lights and engine will turn off.

Using Travel Controls on Gear Transmission


c 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.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Stop machine movement before shifting between reverse and forward to prevent transmission damage.

To travel forward:

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1. Push clutch/brake pedal (A) all the way down to stop machine.

2. Move shift lever (B) to desired travel speed.

3. Release clutch/brake pedal slowly.

To travel in reverse:

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1. Push clutch/brake pedal (A) all the way down.

NOTE: The engine and mower will stop as the gear shift lever is moved to R (reverse) if the mower engagement lever is not in the off position.

2. Put mower engagement lever (C) in the off position.

3. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders nearby.

4. Move shift lever (B) to R (reverse) position.

5. Release clutch/brake pedal slowly.

To stop travel:

Push down clutch/brake pedal.

Using Travel Pedals on Automatic Transmission


c 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.

To travel forward:

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1. Push down the forward travel pedal (A).

To travel in reverse:

NOTE: The engine and mower will stop as the reverse pedal is pushed if the mower engagement lever is not in the off position.

1. Put mower engagement lever in the off position.

2. Look behind the machine to be sure there are no bystanders nearby.

M99486

3. Push down the reverse travel pedal (B).

To stop travel:

Push down brake pedal (C). Travel pedals will return to the neutral position.

Using The Reverse Implement Option (RIO)


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Children or bystanders may be injured by runover and rotating blades. Before backing up, carefully check the area around the machine.

NOTE: Backing up while the mower is engaged is strongly discouraged. The Reverse Implement Option should be used ONLY when operating another attachment or when the operator deems it necessary to reposition the machine with the mower engaged.

1. Stop forward travel.

2. Look behind the vehicle to be sure there are no bystanders.

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3. Push and hold in the reverse implement switch (A) while depressing reverse foot pedal slightly for Automatic Transmission OR moving the gear shift lever to the R (reverse) position for Gear Transmission.

NOTE: If the engine and mower stop while repositioning the machine, return the mower engagement lever to the off position. Start engine and engage mower. Begin again with Step 2.

4. Release the reverse implement switch and reposition the machine as the machine begins to move rearward.

5. Resume forward travel. The mower should continue operating.

6. Repeat procedure to position the machine again.

Using Mower Lift Lever

MOWING (FORWARD) POSITION

Maintains cutting height previously set.

NOTE: On 38-in. or Freedom42: Lift lever must be locked into the lower position to avoid uneven cutting. This position allows deck to float over uneven terrain.

· On 48C: Use when mowing in extremely rough terrain. Mower is locked in lowest position.

1. Pull lift lever (A) back slightly.

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2. Push in button (B).

3. Push lever completely forward until it latches down.

FLOAT (MIDDLE) POSITION (48C Mower Only)

Mower floats along ground contour while maintaining desired cutting height.

TRANSPORT (BACK) POSITION

Holds mower above ground level while traveling to and from work site.

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1. Push forward on lift lever (A) slightly.

2. Push in button.

3. Pull lever back until it latches and mower stays up.

Using Mower

1. Start engine and allow it to idle for two to three minutes.

CONSOLE

2. Move lift lever (A) forward to the mowing position.

3. Push throttle lever (B) up to the full throttle position.

4. Push mower engagement lever (C) forward to start mower.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The mower engagement lever is spring-assisted. Damage may occur to the lever components if the lever snaps back when disengaging. Hold firmly onto the lever when disengaging.

5. Pull lever (C) back to stop mower blades.

Pushing Machine


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Transmission damage may occur if the machine is moved or towed incorrectly: · Move unit by hand only. · Do not use another vehicle to move unit. · Do not tow unit.

CONSOLE

1. Unlock the park brake (A).

2. Put transmission in N (neutral).

M92889

3. On LT155 and LT166: Pull out on free-wheeling lever (B).

4. Push machine to desired location.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The transmission might be damaged if the free-wheeling lever is not pushed back in completely before attempting to start the engine. Do not start or operate the machine with the free-wheeling lever pulled out.

5. On LT155 and LT166: Push free-wheeling lever back in.

Transporting Machine on Trailer

Be sure trailer has all the necessary lights and signs required by law.


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Transmission damage may occur if the machine is moved or towed incorrectly: · Move unit by hand only. · Do not use another vehicle to move unit. · Do not tow unit.

1. Drive forward onto heavy-duty trailer.

2. Lower mower to trailer deck.

3. Lock park brake.

4. Fasten lawn tractor to trailer with heavy-duty straps, chains, or cables. Both front and rear straps must be directed down and outward from tractor.

5. Strap down hood.

Using Wheel Weights

· Install front wheel weights for added stability and steering control when you use equipment such as the rear-mounted grass bagger.

· Install rear wheel weights when using the front blade.

· Remove wheel weights when not required.

Installing Tire Chains


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Loose tire chains can cause machine damage. Periodically check chain tightness and adjust as necessary.

NOTE: Chains are available from your John Deere dealer.

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

2. Lay chains out flat with the cross chain hook ends facing downward.

3. Remove any twists and tangles from cross chain and rim chain.

4. Drive machine onto chains.

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5. Drape chain over tire with the lever fastener on outside of tire and cross link hooks (A) facing upward and away from tire.

6. Adjust chain for straightness and an even amount of cross chain links on each side of tire.

7. Place the first cross chain (opposite the end with fastener and inside hook) under tire.

8. Pull the inside rim chain tight and hook the inside hook.

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9. Pull the outside rim chain tight and hook the outside lever fastener (B) by running the end through a free link (C).

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10. Close the fastener by rotating it back 180 degrees and engaging the hook (D) on the end of the fastener into a rim chain link (E).

Make sure the chain is centered on the tire with approximately the same number of free rim links (F) on the inside and outside.

NOTE: The chain should be as tight as possible. If chain is loose, unhook the fastener and pull chain tight again.

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11. Tie excess rim chain links (G) back to the rim chain.

12. Drive forward on chains 9-12 m (30-40 ft.) and recheck for tightness. Adjust as necessary.

Mowing Tips

The following recommendations will produce the best lawn cut quality and appearance:

· Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades will tear grass; tips of grass will then turn brown.

· Cutting grass too short may kill grass and let weeds grow easily. The suggested finished cut height range is 44 to 70 mm (1.75 to 2.75 in.).

· Adjust cutting height to remove only 1/3 of the grass at a time.

· When using the Freedom42 Mulching Mower: Shorter cut heights will provide better cut quality, but may leave noticeable clippings. Higher cut heights will reduce clippings, but cut quality may decline.

· Do not mow wet grass. Wet cutting conditions will not adversely affect the cutting performance of the Freedom42 Mulching Mower.

· Mow grass often. Short grass clippings will decay quickly.

· Mow with engine at full throttle.

· Adjust travel speed to match mowing conditions:

· Travel at SLOW speed when you mow thick, tall grass, make sharp turns or trim around objects.

· Travel at MODERATE speed when you mow thin grass.

· Use a different mowing pattern each time you mow. Overlap mowing paths 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 in.).

· Drive over ridges and through shallow ditches straight-on, not at an angle.

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· When using the Freedom42 deck: Mow around the outside twice, then mow inside in straight passes. Best cut is achieved when mowing in a straight line.

P000149

· When mulching near pavement, overlap the pavement by 50 mm (2 in.) to allow clippings to dispense over grass.

· A thick layer of mulched leave can prevent sunlight from getting to grass and smother it. Taller grass heights allow mulched leaves to dispense easier in lawn. Mulch leaves several times if needed.

· Use a thatcher in late spring or summer to pull up dead grass and aerate ground.