John Deere makes a variety of lawn tractors, many of which can double as snowplows during the winter. Using a John Deere tractor to plow snow presents new challenges to the homeowner, the first being the assembly of the snow blade. The John Deere dealer or the homeowner can assemble the snow blade. Because the task is relatively simple, the homeowner that chooses to assemble the snow blade himself can reduce the cost of ownership of the snow blade.
Instructions
Attaching Parts to the Blade
1. Slip the 5/16 by 3/4-inch carriage bolts into the square holes provided in the snow blade, then through the square holes in the scraper plate. Thread a 5/16-inch locking nut onto each carriage bolt and tighten securely with an adjustable wrench.
2. Slip two 5/16 by 1-inch carriage bolts into the holes provided on the left side of the snow blade for the attachment of the skid shoes. Slide the skid shoes over the carriage bolts, slip a 5/16-inch flat washer onto each carriage bolt, thread a 5/16-inch locking nut onto each carriage bolt, and tighten them securely with an adjustable wrench, ensuring that skid shoe is even with the scraper plate. Repeat for the right side.
3. Slip four, 5/16 by 3/4-inch carriage bolts into the holes provided in the snow blade for the reinforcement plate. Align the four holes in the reinforcement plate with the carriage bolts and slipped the blade onto all for carriage bolts. Slip a 5/16-inch flat washer onto each carriage bolt, thread a 5/16-inch locking nut onto each carriage bolt and tighten them with an adjustable wrench.
Installing the Angle Lock Bars
4. Attach the two angle lock bars together by aligning the holes in the two bars and slipping a 3/8 by 1 1/4-inch carriage bolt into the square holes that are closest together on one of the angle locking bars. Slip a lock washer onto each of the carriage bolts and thread a 3/8-inch locking nut onto each of the carriage bolts. Tighten the fasteners with an adjustable wrench.
5. Slip the round hook end of the extension spring into the hole in the spring mount bracket on the push channel assembly. Insert the straight hook end of the angle lock spring through the hole in the angle lock bars.
6. Slide the angle lock bars through the push channel assembly, and place a .28 ID by .95-inch spacer between each side of angle lock bars and the push channel assembly. Slide a 1/4 by 3 1/4-inch hex bolt through the push channel assembly, spacers and lock bars. Thread a with 1/4-inch locking nut w/nylon insert onto the hex bolt and tighten with an adjustable wrench.
Attaching the Control Cable to the Cable Mount Bracket
7. Thread a 5/16-inch jam nut onto the threaded end of the control cable, ensuring that 3/4-inch of thread is left exposed. Slip the control cable into the cable mount bracket. Thread another 5/16-inch jam nut onto the threaded end of the control cable.
8. Slide the ball end of the control cable through the clevis lanyard fitting. Slip a 1/4 by 1-1/2-inch hex bolt through the clevis lanyard fitting, a .39 ID by .62-inch spacer and the left hole in push channel assembly. Thread a 1/4-inch locking nuts w/nylon insert onto the hex bolt.
9. Tighten the jam nuts with an adjustable wrench.
Installing the Spring Mount Rod
10. Install a 3/8-inch palnut onto the spring mount rod with a hammer, using a block of wood for support.
11. Slip the spring mount rod through the holes nearest the angle lock bars in the push channel assembly.
12. Install a 3/8-inch palnut onto the other end of the spring mount rod with a hammer, using a block of wood for support.
Attaching the Blade to the Push Channel Assembly and Installing the Trip Spring
13. Slide a 1/8-inch cotter pin through the hole near the knee the bend in blade pivot shaft. Spread the ends of the cotter pin. Line up the notched holes in push channel assembly with notched holes in reinforcement plate.
14. Install the blade pivot shaft through the notched holes from left, with the bend facing up. Slip a 1/8-inch cotter pin through the end hole in the blade pivot shaft. Spread the ends of the cotter pin.
15. Remove the plastic cap and one 3/8-inch nut from the trip spring. Adjust the remaining 3/8-inch nut with an adjustable wrench, ensuring that 1-inch of threads remain exposed.
16. Hook the trip spring around the spring mount rod.
17.Slip the threaded end of the trip spring through the hole in the top edge of blade. Rethread the original 3/8-inch nut onto the trip spring and replace the plastic cap.
Attaching the Release Grip to the Lift Handle Tube
18. Slide the release handle grip onto the lift handle tube.
19. Slip a 5/16 by 1-1/2-inch hex bolt through their grip handle and lift handle tube, and thread a 5/16 in. locking not onto the hex bolt.
20. Tighten with an adjustable wrench, but do not over tighten. The release grip must pivot freely.
Attaching the Control Cable To the Lift Handle Tube
21. Thread a 5/16-inch jam nut onto the loose end of the control cable. Ensure that 3/4-inch of threads are left exposed. Slide the control cable into the cable mount bracket on the lift tube handle. Thread another 5/16-inch jam nut onto the loose end of the control cable.
22. Slip the ball end of the control cable through the clevis lanyard fitting, ensuring that it pivots freely after installation.
23. Install the clevis lanyard fitting onto the weld bolt on the release grip, using a 1/4-inch acorn nut. Tighten with an adjustable wrench, but do not over tighten. The clevis lanyard fitting must pivot freely.
24. Attach the control cable to the lift tube, using two tie straps.
Assembling the Lift Handle Tube in the Lift Handle Rod and Assembling the Pivot Support
25. Grease the long end of the lift handle rod, using the tube of grease provided. Slide the long end of lift handle rod into lift handle tube.
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Attach the pivot support bracket to the two angle support brackets by sliding a 3/8 by 1-inch hex bolt into each of the four holes provided in the support bracket and the holes provided in the angle support brackets and threading a flanged locking nut onto each hex bolt. Do not tighten.
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Attach the right hitch bracket and the left hitch bracket to the angle support brackets by slipping a 3/8 by 1-inch hex bolt into each of the holes provided, and threading a 3/8-inch flanged locking nut onto each of the hex bolts. Tighten all of the fasteners with an adjustable wrench.
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Slip two, 3/8 by 3/4-inch hex bolts from the inside of the right and left hitch plates through the holes provided. Thread a 3/8-inch flanged locking nut onto each of the hex bolts and tighten all of the nuts with an adjustable wrench.
