If your tractor isn't starting, you may need to test and inspect your spark plug for potential problems. Anything from excessive wear to cracks can cause the spark plug to become fouled. Luckily, spark plugs are often cheap and easy to replace.

When parking the machine, stop on a level surface and disengage the mower blades. Lower the attachments all the way down, set the parking brake, and stop the engine. Take out the key and wait for the engine and attachments to completely stop moving before leaving the seat. Remove the spark plug or disconnect the negative battery cable before working on your tractor.

• Step 1: Park the machine in a safe area.
• Step 2: Turn off the engine and let it cool down.
• Step 3: Lift up the hood.
• Step 4: Disconnect the spark plug wires. There is one on each side of V-twin engines.
• Step 5: Remove the spark plug.
• Step 6: Inspect the spark plug. If any part of the spark plug is cracked, damaged, or excessively worn, it will need to be replaced.
• Step 7: If you’re not replacing the spark plug, clean it with a wire brush before reinstalling it.
• Step 8: Use a wire feeler gauge to check that the plug gap is 0.030 inches. If it is not, adjust it by moving the outer electrode until it is the proper distance.
• Step 9: Install the old or new spark plug and torque it to 15 lb-ft.
• Step 10: Reconnect the spark plug wires and close the hood.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

• John Deere Aftermarket Parts
• Spark Plugs

Regularly changing your engine oil and filter will help keep your engine well-lubricated and protected. You should change the oil more frequently if you are using your tractor in very dusty conditions or consistently at low speed.

When parking the machine, stop on a level surface and disengage the mower blades. Lower the attachments all the way down, set the parking brake, and stop the engine. Take out the key and wait for the engine and attachments to completely stop moving before leaving the seat. Remove the spark plug or disconnect the negative battery cable before working on your tractor.

• Step 1: Run the engine to warm the oil if it wasn’t already recently running.
• Step 2: Park the machine in a safe area.
• Step 3: Lift up the hood.
• Step 4: Take off the closeout panels and set them aside.
• Step 5: Place a drain pan underneath the drain valve.
• Step 6: Take the drain cap off and completely drain all of the oil into the drain pan.
• Step 7: Remove the dipstick.
• Step 8: Clean off any dirt from around the outside of the oil filter.
• Step 9: Put a drain pan or a funnel underneath the filter tray.
• Step 10: Remove the oil filter and gasket. Properly dispose of them and clean up any oil that spills.
• Step 11: Coat the new gasket in clean oil.
• Step 12: Install the new oil filter by turning it clockwise until the gasket is in contact with the base of the filter. Then, tighten an additional half turn.
• Step 13: Install the drain cap.
• Step 14: Add oil and install the dipstick. Again, make sure you do not overfill past the full mark on the dipstick.
• Step 15: Start the engine up and run it at idle to check for any problems. Look for leaks or smoke. Smoke and hard starting can be caused by overfilling of oil.
• Step 16: Fix any leaks/other problems you may encounter.
• Step 17: Check the oil and add more if necessary.
• Step 18: Reinstall the closeout panels and close the hood.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

• John Deere Aftermarket Parts
• John Deere Aftermarket Oil Filters
• Lubricants, Chemicals, and Oils

Excessively dirty or damaged air filters can allow either not enough air into the carburetor or too much dirt. Replacing your air filter when needed is a cheap and easy way to improve the lifespan and performance of your equipment.

When parking the machine, stop on a level surface and disengage the mower blades. Lower the attachments all the way down, set the parking brake, and stop the engine. Take out the key and wait for the engine and attachments to completely stop moving before leaving the seat. Remove the spark plug or disconnect the negative battery cable before working on your tractor.

• Step 1: Park your tractor in a safe area.
• Step 1: Turn off the engine and let it cool down.
• Step 1: Open the hood.
• Step 1: Clean the air cleaner cover.
• Step 1: Lift up the hatch that unlocks the cover and pull the cover forward. Remove it and set it aside.
• Step 1: Inspect the air filter element. If it is dirty or damaged, it will need to be replaced with a new filter.
• Step 1: Clean the base of the air cleaner very carefully to prevent dirt and debris from entering the carburetor.
• Step 1: Pull the air filter out of the elbow.
• Step 1: Install the new air filter onto the elbow.
• Step 1: Reinstall the air cleaner cover and lock the latch to secure the cover in place.
• Step 1: Close the hood.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

• John Deere Aftermarket Parts
• John Deere Aftermarket Air Filters

A gummed up or damaged fuel filter can lead to a world of problems. Ensure that enough good quality fuel is getting to the carburetor by regularly inspecting and, if needed, replacing your fuel filter.

When parking the machine, stop on a level surface and disengage the mower blades. Lower the attachments all the way down, set the parking brake, and stop the engine. Take out the key and wait for the engine and attachments to completely stop moving before leaving the seat. Remove the spark plug or disconnect the negative battery cable before working on your tractor.

• Step 1: Park your equipment in a safe area. Turn it off and let the engine cool.
• Step 2: Lift up the hood.
• Step 3: Have a drain pan ready under the fuel filter to catch any leaks that may occur.
• Step 4: Using pliers, slide both of the hose clamps away from the fuel filter.
• Step 5: Detach the hoses from the filter. To avoid fuel drainage, be sure to raise the fuel lines up.
• Step 6: Connect the hoses onto the new fuel filter with the filter arrow pointing in the direction that the fuel is flowing (toward the engine).
• Step 7: Move the clamps back to their proper positions on the hoses.
• Step 8: Close the hood.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

• John Deere Aftermarket Parts
• John Deere Aftermarket Fuel Filters

Is your tractor not cutting as fast or as efficiently as it should? Your blades might be damaged, bent, or dull. Maintaining your blades regularly is one of the many important elements of achieving a high quality cut. Always wear protective gloves while working with blades.

When parking the machine, stop on a level surface and disengage the mower blades. Lower the attachments all the way down, set the parking brake, and stop the engine. Take out the key and wait for the engine and attachments to completely stop moving before leaving the seat. Remove the spark plug or disconnect the negative battery cable before working on your tractor.

Removal

• Step 1: Park your tractor in a safe area.
• Step 2: Raise the mower deck up so that you can work with the blades. Remove the mower deck if necessary.
• Step 3: Use a block of wood to prevent the blade from spinning.
• Step 4: Loosen and remove the nut, washer, and blade.
• Step 5: Inspect the blades for bends, cracks, dullness, and excessive wear. If the blades are only dull, they can be sharpened. If they are excessively bent, cracked, worn, or damaged in any way, they will need to be replaced.

Installation

• Step 1: With the cutting edge of the new or sharpened blade facing the ground, align the center hole with the spindle shaft and place the blade onto the shaft.
• Step 2: Install the washer with its cupped side towards the blade and then install the nut.
• Step 3: Use a block of wood to prevent the blade from spinning while you tighten the nut.
• Step 4: Using a 15/16 inch socket, tighten the 5/8 inch blade nut to 65 lb-ft.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

• John Deere Aftermarket Parts
• John Deere Aftermarket Blades