How do you install the mulch cover on a john deere 42 deck?

Answer 1

The manual for the LT155 is on-line:

http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMM142698_I0/Output/Index.HTML?tM=FR

don't try this at home!

some inconsiderate family member got this thing for 200 dollars at a g-sale just to torture me and lure me in with the sight of a a sweet JOHN DEERe :).. it worked..

somehow they lost the deck "front draft arm" and they kept on mowing years without it and bent the guide wheels up and straitened them over and over so many times that the metal was cracked and fatigued

i had no idea how it went together of what was wrong with it

so i examined it and removed the deck.

reinforced the guide wheel flanges with an arc welder then made a draft arm from 3/8" steel rod stock distributed at the hardware store for 8$.

i guessed at the dimensions from a picture of a LT155 "front draft arm" on some on-line store that was sold out of them.

i bent the 3/8" rod stock without heat in a big vice with a 10lb sledge hammer. then i welded it and while it was red hot i broke off the excess rod then i arc welded a 6" long 3/8" diameter bolt to the piece wrapped masking tape around the threads of the bolt to prevent slag from damaging the threads.).

anyway, i removed the deck before all that

first i put the parking break on.

i engaged the deck with the deck drive lever

then i raised the front wheels on to a 10 gallon bucket

i removed there's 3 pins

fed the deck drive belt out threw 2 retainers that hold the belt on the belt engine drive shaft pulley

then i slid the front deck arm out last

someone had messed up the deck lift adjustment but i put the deck lift in the lowered position

then i moved the deck lift lever back and forth and discovered 2 deck lift pins and a deck drive belt engagement linkage key

i had to put a hydraulic lift jack under the deck and adjust the jack to make the pins loose.

then i removed the left deck lift pin key and pin

then i removed the right deck lift pin key and pin

then i removed the blade engagement lever retainer key

the jack was very helpful in adjusting the angle and height of the deck to make the pins loose enough to slide them out with no trouble.

i fed the deck drive belt easily threw the retainers

putting it all back together was a snap. i wouldn't touch the adjustments unless someone has already monkeyed with them

i had the front still raised OFF THE GROUND.

you should replace the "front draft arm" last.. but i slid the "front draft arm" on last.

then i reconnected the deck drive belt engagement linkage with the pin and washer.

i had to make sure the deck drive was in the engaged position to get the linkage pin in .

i had to feel my way around because you get more finger and wrist leverage when you do it without looking somehow. lol..

then i used the pyramid shaped base of an old jack stand to help lift the deck into position close enough to easily slide the left deck lift pin in and then i slid the retainer key threw the pin.

i did the same thing to the right side. the right side seemed much easier though the right was mechanically the same. as the left.

i would give this job a high experience requirement rating.

its dangerous enough so you should assess the value of your skin before you attempt it. i didn't get a scratch but i was lucky

now its a good john Deere and I'm still alive :)

Answer 2

How do I install a mulch cover on a 48inch desk (L-145)