Service Mower

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.

4. Move to rear of tractor and loosen or remove two drive sheave belt guides.

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· Model GX85:

- Remove two nuts (A), carriage bolt (B), and two belt guides (C).

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· Model SX85:

- Loosen nut (D) and move belt guide (E) away from engine sheave.

- Remove nut (F) and belt guide (G).

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Picture Note: SX85 shown.

5. Remove drive belt (H) from engine sheave

6. Lower mower deck to 25 mm (1 in).

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7. Remove spring locking pin (I) and rear draft link (J) from mower lift bracket.

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8. Remove spring locking pin and washer (K) and disconnect front of mower engagement (PTO) rod and washer (L) from mower engagement rod arm.

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9. Remove spring locking pin and drilled pin (M) and front draft links (N), one on each side of tractor.

10. Turn front wheels fully to the right.

11. Pull mower out from under the left side of tractor.

Installing Mower

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

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

3. Raise mower deck to 100 mm (4 in).

4. Turn front wheels fully to the right.

5. Slide mower under the tractor from left-hand side.

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6. Install front draft links (A) to front brackets, one on each side of tractor, with spring locking pins and drilled pins (B).

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7. Attach front of mower engagement (PTO) rod and washer (C) to mower engagement rod arm with washer and spring locking pin (D).

8. Lower mower deck to 25 mm (1 in).

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9. Install rear draft link (E) to mower lift bracket with spring locking pin (F).

10. Raise mower deck to 100 mm (4 in).

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Picture Note: SX85 shown.

11. Install mower belt (G) on lower part of engine sheave.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The belt will be damaged if belt guides rub against engine sheave. Install belt guides correctly.

12. Install belt guides.

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· Model GX85:

- Install belt guides (H) with carriage bolt (I) and nuts (J). Tighten nuts. Make sure belt guides do not rub against engine sheave.

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· Model SX85:

- Move belt guide (K) against belt and tighten nut (L).

- Install belt guide (M) and nut (N). Tighten nut.

13. Model SX85: Check belt guide clearance and adjust if necessary.

· Clearance between belt guides and upper part of engine sheave should be 1.6-3.2 mm (1/16-1/8 in).

14. Level mower.

Replacing Mower Deck Drive Belt

NOTE: Mower deck was removed for this procedure but, it is not necessary to remove deck when replacing belt.

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

2. Remove mower deck from riding mower.

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3. Loosen nuts (A) and (B) and rotate belt guides (C) and (D) away from belt.

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4. Remove mower drive belt (D) from V-idler (E) and flat idler (F).

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5. Push brake arm (G) inward to relieve spring tension and remove belt from sheave.

6. Clean top of mower deck and sheaves.

7. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.

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8. Install belt on mower deck as shown.

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9. Move belt guides (C) and (D) against belt and tighten nuts (A) and (B).

· Make sure belt to belt guide clearance is approximately 1 mm (1/16 in).

10. Install mower deck.

Replacing Drive Belt (GX85)

GX85 Transaxle Drive System

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A - Flat Idler

B - Jacksheave (Upper engine sheave)

C - Flat Idler

D - Drive Sheave

E - Drive Belt

Removing Belt

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

2. Raise mower deck to 100 mm (4 in).

3. Block the front tires.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The machine may fall or slip from an unsafe lifting device:

· Use a device rated for the load to be lifted.

· Secure the machine properly to the lift.

4. Lift rear of riding mower with safe lifting device and install support stands.

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5. Remove two nuts (F), carriage bolt (G) and belt guides (H).

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6. Remove drive belt (E) from upper part of engine sheave (B) and drive sheave (D).

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7. Loosen nut (I) on idler (C), move belt guide (J) away from belt and remove belt from idler.

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8. Remove nut (K) and remove belt guide (L) and belt from idler (A).

9. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.

Installing Belt

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1. Turn belt inside out. Bring belt in from front of riding mower and place belt on upper part of engine sheave (B) with "V" of belt in "V" of engine sheave.

2. Place belt on drive sheave.

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3. Place belt under belt guide on idler and tighten nut (I).

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4. Place belt around idler, install belt guide and nut (K). Tighten nut.

5. Check that belt is installed on all idlers.

6. Install belts guides on engine sheave.

· Make sure belt guides do not rub against engine sheave.

Replacing Primary Drive Belt (SX85)

SX85 Variator Drive System (Primary Belt)

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A - Primary Belt

B - Engine Sheave

C - V-Idler

D - Primary Idler (Flat)

E - Variator

Removing Belt

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

2. Raise mower deck to 100 mm (4 in).

3. Block the front tires.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The machine may fall or slip from an unsafe lifting device:

· Use a device rated for the load to be lifted.

· Secure the machine properly to the lift.

4. Lift rear of riding mower with safe lifting device and install support stands.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Springs are installed under tension. Use caution when attaching or disconnecting springs. Wear eye protection.

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5. Remove secondary spring (F) from riding mower frame.

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6. Loosen nut (G) and move rear belt guide (H) away from engine sheave.

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7. Remove nut (I) and belt guide (J) and remove mower belt from engine sheave.

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8. Loosen nut (K) and move variator belt guide (L) away from primary belt.

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9. Remove primary belt from lower sheave of variator (E).

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10. Loosen nut (M) and move belt guide (N) away from V-idler (C).

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11. Remove belt from primary idler (D), V-idler (C), and engine sheave (B).

12. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.

Installing Belt

NOTE: Before installing Primary Drive Belt, also inspect Secondary Drive Belt for wear or damage and replace it, if necessary.

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1. Install belt on sheave and idlers in the following order:

a. Engine sheave (B)

b. Variator (E)

c. Primary idler (D)

d. V-idler (C)

2. Move V-idler belt guide into position and tighten nut.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The belt will be damaged if belt guides rub against sheaves. Install belt guides correctly.

3. Install variator belt guide as close to belt as possible and tighten nut.

· Check and adjust belt guide if necessary.

4. Install mower belt on lower engine sheave.

5. Install belt guides on engine sheave.

· Check belt guide clearance and adjust if necessary.

6. Install secondary spring.

Replacing Secondary Drive Belt (SX85)

SX85 Variator Drive System (Secondary Belt)

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A - Secondary Spring

B - Transaxle Sheave

C - Variator

D - Flat Idler

Removing Belt

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

2. Raise mower deck to 100 mm (4 in).

3. Block the front tires.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The machine may fall or slip from an unsafe lifting device:

· Use a device rated for the load to be lifted.

· Secure the machine properly to the lift.

4. Lift rear of riding mower with safe lifting device and install support stands.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Springs are installed under tension. Use caution when attaching or disconnecting springs. Wear eye protection.

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5. Remove secondary spring (E).

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6. Loosen nuts (F). DO NOT remove nuts. Transaxle should drop slightly.

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7. Loosen nut (G) and move variator belt guide (H) away from primary belt and remove primary belt from lower sheave of variator.

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8. Remove secondary belt from top sheave of variator (C).

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9. Pull belt off rear of transaxle sheave (B) and out left rear corner of riding mower.

10. Inspect belt for wear or damage; replace as necessary.

Installing Belt

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1. Install secondary drive belt on top sheave of variator (C).


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The belt will be damaged if belt guides rub against sheaves. Install belt guides correctly.

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2. Move variator belt guide (H) against primary belt and and fasten with nut (G).

· Check that tab (I) is contacting variator bracket (J) and belt guide is parallel to side and top of belt, but not touching belt.

3. Install secondary belt on transaxle sheave.

4. Install belt on flat idler.

5. Install secondary spring.

6. Tighten nuts on transaxle.

7. Check drive belt guides and adjust if necessary.

Checking and Adjusting Drive Belt Guides (SX85)

1. Park machine safely, but do not engage park brake. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section.)

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! The machine may fall or slip from an unsafe lifting device:

· Use a device rated for the load to be lifted.

· Secure the machine properly to the lift.

2. Block the front tires.

3. Lift rear of riding mower with safe lifting device and install support stands.

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4. Check belt guide to sheave clearance on belt guides (A) and (B) and adjust if necessary.

· Clearance between belt guides and upper part of engine sheave should be 1.6-3.2 mm (1/16-1/8 in).

· Tighten or loosen nuts (C) and (D) to gain clearance. Do not push on jacksheave (E) when moving guides to primary drive belt.

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5. Check adjustment of variator belt guide (F).

· Check that tab (G) is contacting variator bracket (H) and belt guide is parallel to side and top of belt, but not touching belt.

· Make sure variator belt is tight and then turn nut (I) to achieve proper adjustment.

· To attain proper adjustment, it may be necessary to bend guide.

6. Operate riding mower to verify adjustments and adjust again, if necessary.

Checking and Adjusting Mower Engagement (PTO) Rod

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

2. Check that the mower engagement (PTO) rod is properly set:

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a. Raise mower to 100 mm (4 in) and push mower engagement (PTO) lever completely forward to position;

Nipples on rod (A) should pull away from PTO bracket (B).

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b. Lower mower to 25 mm (1 in) and move mower engagement (PTO) lever completely rearward to position;

Nipples on rod (A) should touch PTO bracket (B).

3. Adjust the mower engagement (PTO) rod, if necessary:

a. Move mower engagement (PTO) lever completely rearward to position.

b. Lower mower to 25 mm (1 in).

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c. Loosen nut (C).

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d. Pull engagement rod (A) forward until it is at front of slot (D).

e. Tighten nut.

4. Check that mower engagement rod is adjusted properly. PTO engagement rod is in proper adjustment when:

· Nipples pull away from bracket when mower engagement (PTO) lever is completely forward to position and mower is at highest setting, 100 mm (4 in).

NOTE: If the brake arm (E) cannot be adjusted to touch belt when mower engagement (PTO) lever is completely rearward, see your John Deere dealer.

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· Brake arm (E) touches belt when mower engagement (PTO) lever is completely rearward to position and mower is at lowest setting, 25 mm (1 in).

Restoring Ground Speed (SX85)

Your (SX85) riding mower ground-speed is pre-set at the factory. However, as the riding mower is used, the primary drive belt will wear and stretch slightly which will restrict your riding mower from obtaining maximum ground-speed. If desired, speed may be restored by following steps listed below.

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

2. Move shift lever (A) to forward position.

3. Check the amount of free play in the accelerator pedal by applying moderate hand pressure to the top of the accelerator pedal until the pedal becomes harder to push.

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4. Measure distance from accelerator pedal to edge of slot in riding mower platform, dimension (A).

5. Adjust idler arm if dimension (A) equals 38 mm (1-1/2-in.) or more. Do Not adjust idler arm if dimension is less than 38 mm (1-1/2-in.).

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a. Remove bolt (B).

b. Loosen bolt (C) in idler arm (D).

c. Push idler arm toward center of unit and install bolt (B) into alternate hole (E).

d. Tighten bolts.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Riding mower may not come to a complete stop when foot is removed from accelerator pedal. Be prepared to stop riding mower by applying brake and turning key to the off position.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If riding mower does not Stop, idler arm must be returned to its original position. See your John Deere dealer for any further speed adjustments.

6. Test adjustment in an open area:

a. Start engine.

b. Move shift lever to forward position.

c. Drive riding mower forward and remove foot from accelerator pedal. Riding mower must stop. (If mower does not stop, see your John Deere dealer.)

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 Blade

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

Removing Mower Blade

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 cap screw (A), hardened washer (B), blade washer (C), and blade (D).

4. Inspect blade; sharpen, balance or replace blade as necessary.

Installing Mower Blade

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. Position mower blade (D) with the cutting edge towards the ground onto the mower spindle.

3. Install blade washer (C) with cup side toward the blade, hardened washer (B) and cap screw (A).

4. Tighten cap screw (A) by hand until mower blade is in full contact (fully seated) with spindle.

5. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent spinning, tighten cap screw to 68 - 79 N·m (50 - 58 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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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

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.

4. Grind bevel of heavy end. Do not change blade bevel.

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