Great video, this has been very helpful to me as the owner of a new X738 with auto-connect. I followed the procedure in this video to remove the mower deck. Then disconnected the auto-connect drive shaft from the tractor and hung it into the U-shaped bracket as shown. But then I found it very difficult to raise the auto-connect assembly high enough to be able to latch it with the storage hook. Finally I used the hydraulics to lift the auto-connect assembly all the way up and was then able to latch it in the up position with the storage hook. Two questions: 1. Should I need to use the hydraulics to lift the auto-connect assembly? It looks so easy in the video and the video does not mention using the hydraulics. 2. Once the auto-connect assembly is latched in its up position, does the hydraulic connection to the auto-connect assembly need to be 'shut off' in some way? Or will the hydraulic connection to the snowblower simply override the connection to the auto-connect assembly? Thank you.
Ted, we are glad you're finding these videos helpful! You should not need to use hydraulics to lift the AutoConnect Assembly. The rear draft arm should be able to move upwards freely as demonstrated in the video. It is possible that the hydraulic assembly needs to be shut off - refer to your Operator's Manual of the Snow Blower. If you have additional questions, you can contact your local dealer. Find their information here: dealerlocator.deere.com/.
I tried taking the mower off in the yard, then had a heck of a time trying to move it. Best spot i found was in front of the garage. After the deck is off just use a pry bar to raise the deck and lower the wheels. It rolls easy on concrete into the garage for winter storage
Just went through this exercise without a manual and put a new belt on a 7 Iron 60 inch deck on my 2012 740. I was ready to trade it in for something else by the time we were done. Don't know how you could do it with only one guy! Are the newer decks and tractors easier to remove and reinstall?
Thanks for reaching out, Mike. Yes, the X734 Lawn Tractor featured in this video has grease fittings on the deck drive. Pricing information may vary slightly as prices are set by our individual dealers. However, you can review pricing online by selecting your local dealer and viewing parts online here: spr.ly/60513eVj9. If needed, you can always check pricing with your local dealer here: spr.ly/60523eVji.
+Drew Tibert Drew, no video is available. However, the GX345 parts catalog and operators manual are online - www.deere.com/en_US/services_and_support/manuals/manuals.page . You can contact your local dealer to help as well. www.deere.com/en_US/corporate/our_company/contact_us/contact_us.page
I had a real struggle to get the drive shaft quick release collar off the PTO on my X477. Finally got it off by pulling the collar back with one hand and pulling the whole mower deck back to pull the shaft away from the PTO. When I was a ready to put the mower deck back on, I lubricated the collar and then put the drive shaft back onto the PTO and tried some mowing. But the shaft fell off, seemingly the collar hadn't clicked onto the PTO properly. Now The collar seems to be stuck in the 'back' position so I haven't tried to put the shaft back onto the PTO. Any idea how to get the collar to release itself?
+Tony Williams Tony - If you’ve checked any troubleshooting in the manual manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMM157071_K7/Output/Index.html?tM=HO - your best bet is to call your local dealer. Good luck! dealerlocator.deere.com/servlet/
Thanks for asking. Your local John Deere dealer is your best resource for technical questions like this one. You can find your closest dealer at Deere.com/Dealer.
John, we're sorry to hear that you're having issues with your unit! Have you taken a look at the Operator's Manual yet? In your manual you will find a Troubleshooting section that could help you find the cause of the noise you're hearing. Many Operator's Manuals are available online, so you may be able to view the manual for your model at techpubs.deere.com. You can also contact your local dealer for further assistance. Find their contact information at Deere.com/Dealer.
"Without the physical work of moving the mower deck around by hand." There is one big catch here. Once the deck is removed, it is in your lawn all the way to the ground with the wheels disengaged, so you can't roll it away. If you could quick-disconnect in your garage where you want it stored, that's one thing, but to require that the wheels be disengaged and that the deck be removed out in your lawn, leaves a lot more "physical work of moving the mower deck around" compared to other systems. I just tried it for the first time and I couldn't move the deck out of the lawn, nor could I lift it while setting the wheels myself without first getting a jack to lift up each corner to put the wheels back in play again.
+fixmdude exactly. this design makes it so wherever you drop the deck, that better be where you are keeping it as this deck is impossible to move around easily. JD failed on this part.
+fixmdude When you drive the tractor over the deck you don't want the deck sitting on those wheels, otherwise you may get the deck hung up and it will just roll along with the tractor rather than the tractor driving over it. Once the tractor is removed from the deck, simply lift the corners of the deck and lower the wheels and you can then roll the deck wherever you want. If you are unable to lift 1 corner of the deck at a time and lower a wheel you shouldn't be operating equipment in the first place. Another option if you bought the tractor with a loader, simply pickup the deck with the loader and put it where you need it. However, normally you wouldn't drop your mower deck in the middle of your yard LOL. These decks are heavy but not heavy enough that you can't drop the wheels back down to roll it around after removing from the tractor.
+William Todd (williamtodd) The 60" deck is heavier than the average man can lift with one hand while squatting, and certainly takes much more effort than rolling the deck in and out sideways still in the garage like my previous Simplicity.
fixmdude You don't lift the whole deck at once, one corner at a time. Pull the pin raise that corner of the deck, then put the pin back in once the wheel is at the proper height. I assume they made these to just drop and leave where you drop it, not move it all over your property, not sure why you would want to move it around, but it seems they should have built some sort of system to allow you to move it around if its that heavy. Don't take the deck off in a place it will be in the way LOL.
+William Todd (williamtodd) You obviously haven't tried using the specific equipment that you are commenting on. I've owned 3 tractors, this specific deck is too heavy. There is no handle to life up on when it is flush flat against the ground. They specify that you should drop it in the lawn to drive off and on it, so it doesn't slide during the process of driving over it. That's their words not mine.
I'm quite happy to spend an extra 2 minutes attaching the clutch cable and five cotter pins to secure the mowerdeck on my $3,000 Husqvarna yardtractor and save myself $10,000 relative to an over-priced John Deere gardentractor.
We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with your unit. If you haven't already, we recommend you contact your local dealer for assistance. You can find their contact information at Deere.com/Dealer.
spcsyracuse 1056 Let us know how or if it works. I'd think the deck would go sliding across your garage floor when you try to drive over it, but maybe if you had a non-slip mat to put under the deck before you let it down it may work. It would sure be better if you could do so rather than dropping the deck in the middle of your yard and trying to move it.
Running over a JD mower deck, is the best thing you could do for it. A D9 dozer is best for this. Most of their residential mower decks is a waste of good sheet metal and yellow paint. I am the unhappy owner of 2 of them.
i dont get how people can afford these things my neighbor just bought an x750 and it cost him $16k+ My truck didnt even cost half of that and its a 2014 model.
This tractor set up is garbage. More trouble with this than any other product I purchased. Hydraulics don’t raise or lower tractor except when they want to. More safety shutoffs than any product should have. Worst purchase ever. X758, mower deck, snow blower, tiller. Never again.
nice vid. :) i have a 08 jd x724 with a 62" deck, the problem im haveing is that my deck is hiting the steering rods for the rear tires, x724's are 4ws tractors. u can see where its hiting, soo i dont know if theres a fix or do i just get a new tractor.
The deck should not be hitting the steering arms. It's likely a part is missing or not adjusted correctly. Please contact your local dealer for assistance.
***** o ok thanks. as far as i can tell nothing is missing. im thinking its not adjusted right. to me it seems like its out more on one side then the other.
***** Good luck. Your X724 has two positions to mount the deck lift arms and the 62-inch deck should be in the lower holes. You might also ask your dealer to refer to solution 58165.
