Service Mower
Removing Mower
1. Raise mower deck to the transport (upper) position.
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2. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)
| 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. |
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3. Turn mower depth control knob (A) to the BLANK position or '0' cut height.
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4. On 54-Inch Deck: Pull out on J-pins (B) and turn mower wheels on both sides of mower to position shown for ease in rolling mower out from under tractor. Release J-pins in holes to lock wheels in position.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! To avoid injury when removing mower or an attachment: · DO NOT attempt to remove mower or other attachments until lowering it as low as it will go using hydraulic control lever. |
5. Start engine and lower mower as far as it will go.
6. Stop engine.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Drive belt tension rod is spring-assisted and may have unexpected movement. Keep a tight grip on rod when installing or removing drive belt or servicing mower deck. |
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Picture Note: 48C Shown
7. Remove drive belt tension rod (C) from bracket (D) and move rod all the way out toward you as far as it will go.
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8. On 48C Deck: Hold tension rod in position (E) while removing drive belt.
9. Remove drive belt from tractor and mower sheaves.
10. Move tension rod to latched position.
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11. Pull out and push down on lever (F) to release front lift rod assembly.
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12. Remove front lift rod assembly (G) from tractor and mower deck.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before you disconnect mower from tractor, make sure mower has been lowered as far as it will go. |
NOTE: It may be necessary to manually lift up on rear of mower deck to pull out J-pins.
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13. Disconnect draft arms, one on each side, by pulling spring loaded J-pins (H) out.
14. Start engine and raise mower lift arms as high as they will go.
15. Stop engine. Remove key.
16. Slide mower deck out from under the tractor.
Installing Mower
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent damage to mower: · If tire chains are installed on your tractor, remove chains before you install mower on tractor. |
1. Raise mower deck as high as it will go.
2. Park vehicle safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)
| 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. |
M47601
3. 54 Mower Only: Pull out on J-pins (A) and turn mower wheels on both sides of mower to position shown for ease in moving mower under tractor. Release J-pins in holes to lock wheels in position.
4. Slide mower under the tractor.
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5. Turn mower height control knob (B) to zero.
6. Start engine and lower mower lift arms to the lowest position.
7. Stop engine.
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8. Place lift arms between rear mower deck lift brackets and pull rear J-pin (C) out to attach brackets to lift arms on each side of mower.
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9. Attach front lift rod assembly (D) to mower brackets.
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10. Install front draft pivot rod (E) with handle into tractor frame hooks. Be sure both ends (F) of pivot rod are seated in tractor frame hooks.
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11. Push lever (G) up so pin on lever is locked in hole on left-hand side of tractor frame as shown.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Drive belt tension rod is spring-assisted and may have unexpected movement. Keep a tight grip on rod when installing or removing drive belt or servicing mower deck. |
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Picture Note: 48C Shown
12. Remove drive belt tension rod (H) from bracket (I) and move rod all the way out toward you as far as it will go.
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13. On 48C Deck: Hold tension rod in position (J) while installing drive belt.
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14. Install mower drive belt (K) on tractor drive sheave (L) and mower drive sheave (M).
15. Move drive belt tension rod to tighten belt and hook rod in bracket.
16. Level mower.
17. On 54-Inch Deck: Move mower wheels back for operating (forward) position.
18. Adjust mower wheels for desired cutting height.
Replacing Mower Drive (Primary) Belt
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section).
2. Lower mower.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Drive belt tension rod is spring-assisted and may have unexpected movement. Keep a tight grip on rod when installing or removing drive belt or servicing mower deck. |
M96022
Picture Note: 48C Shown
3. Remove drive belt tension rod (A) from bracket (B) and move rod all the way out toward you as far as it will go.
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4. On 48C Deck: Hold tension rod in position (C) while removing drive belt.
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5. Remove belt from engine drive sheave (D) and mower sheave.
6. Clean belt with a clean cloth.
7. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.
8. Install belt on mower sheave and engine sheave.
9. Move drive belt tension rod to tighten drive belt and hook rod in bracket.
Replacing Mower Deck (Secondary) Belt
1. Park tractor safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section).
2. Remove mower deck.
3. Remove belt shields.
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· 48C Mower: Remove six lock nuts (A) and left and right belt shields
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· 54-Inch Mower: Remove six cap screws (B) and left and right belt shields.
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Springs are installed under tension. Use caution when attaching or disconnecting springs.Wear eye protection. |
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Jd 322 Mower Deck Parts
Picture Note: 48C Deck Shown
4. Disconnect idler spring (C).
5. Remove mower belt (D).
6. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.
7. Clean upper mower deck and sheaves.
8. Install belt (D) on mower deck as shown.
· 48C Mower Deck
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· 54-Inch Mower Deck
9. Connect idler spring.
10. Install belt shields.
11. Install mower deck.
Checking for Bent Mower Blades
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades. |
1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section).
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2. Put lift lever in mowing position.
3. Measure distance between blade tip and flat ground surface.
4. Turn blade. Measure distance between other blade tip and flat ground surface.
5. Install new blade, if the difference between the two measurements is more than 3 mm (1/8 in).
Servicing Mower Blades
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades. |
Removing Mower Blades
1. Raise mower deck to gain access to mower blades. If necessary, remove mower deck.
2. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent it from spinning.
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3. Loosen and remove bolt (A), washer (B) and blade (C).
4. Inspect blades; sharpen, balance or replace blades as necessary.
Installing Mower Blades
1. Lubricate bolt threads lightly with a general purpose grease or oil. This lubrication is to prevent rusting and seizing.
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2. Make sure deflector cups (D) are in place between spindle and blade.
3. Position mower blades (C) with the cutting edge towards the ground onto the mower spindle.
4. Install blade washer (B) with cup side toward the blade.
5. Install and tighten bolt (A) by hand until mower blade is in full contact (fully seated) with spindle.
6. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent spinning, tighten bolts to 68 N·m (50 lb-ft).
Sharpening Blades
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are dangerous! · Always wear gloves while working on blades. · Always wear safety eye protection when grinding. |
Sharpen blades with grinder, hand file, or electric blade sharpener.
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John Deere 322 Lawn Tractor
Keep original bevel (A) when grinding.
Blade should have 0.40 mm (1/64 in.) cutting edge (B) or less.
Balance blades before installing.
Balancing Blades
Aftermarket John Deere Mower Decks
| c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades. |
1. Clean blade.
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2. Put blade on nail in a vise. Turn blade to horizontal position.
3. Check balance. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.
User Manual John Deere 322 Mower Deck Belt
4. Grind bevel of heavy end. Do not change blade bevel.