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Part of the John Deere Repair Manuals.
All 615 pages of this John Deere LX255 Technical Manual (OEM #TM1754) focus on one machine family: the LX255, LX266, LX277, LX277AWS, LX279, and LX288 Lawn Tractors, covering every engine variant from Kohler and Kawasaki to Briggs and Stratton. You get complete wiring diagrams with full circuit operation for power, cranking, ignition, charging, and PTO systems, plus hydraulic schematics for the hydrostatic transaxle and hydrostatic system operation. Packed into this manual are troubleshooting charts for mower decks, step-by-step procedures for transaxle disassembly, and a full torque table starting at the fastener specs section. Torque the 38-inch deck spindle mounting nut to 25 N•m (220 lb-in.), and set the sheave nut to 140 N•m (103 lb-ft) before reinstalling the deck. Your tractor is sitting idle while you chase specs across forum threads. Bookmarked and searchable, jump to any section by keyword and get back to work.
What's Inside This John Deere LX255-LX288 Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 2-3 | Manual Description, Specifications and Information, Identification Numbers, Tools and Materials, Component Location, Schematics and Harnesses |
| Safety | 4-9 | - |
| Specifications & Information | 10-23 | Fastener Torques, O-Ring Seal Service Recommendations, General Information, Coolant Specifications, Serial Number Locations |
| Engine - Kohler | 24-71 | Oil Pickup Inspection, Oil Pump Relief Valve Inspection, Camshaft Removal and Installation, Hydraulic Valve Lifters Removal and Installation |
| Engine - Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) | 72-127 | Blower Housing Removal and Installation, Flywheel Removal and Installation, Breather Removal and Installation, Rocker Arm Removal and Installation |
| Engine - Kawasaki (Liquid-Cooled) | 128-191 | Engine Removal and Installation, Carburetor Removal and Installation, Radiator Removal and Installation, Cylinder Head and Valves, Piston and Connecting Rod, Oil Pump |
| Engine - Briggs and Stratton | 192-239 | Upper Blower Housing Removal and Installation, Air Cleaner Removal and Installation, Carburetor Removal and Installation, Intake Manifold Removal and Installation |
| Electrical | 240-363 | Power Circuit Operation, Cranking Circuit Operation, Ignition Circuit Operation, Charging Circuit Operation, PTO Circuit Operation, Fuel Shutoff Solenoid Circuit Operation |
| Power Train - Hydrostatic | 364-459 | Hydrostatic System Operation, Gear Power Flow, Transaxle Brake, Controls and Linkage Operation, Transaxle Disassembly, Pump Shaft Removal |
| Steering | 460-501 | Steering System - 2WS, Steering System - Aws, Steering Gear Removal, Front Axle Removal, Disassembly, And Inspection, Rear Wheel Alignment - Aws, Front Wheel Spindle Lubrication |
| Attachments | 502-589 | Mower Decks Troubleshooting Chart, Mower Level Side-To-Side, Timing Belt Adjustment, Mower Blades, Spindle and Bearing Replacement, Drive Belt |
| Miscellaneous | 590-605 | Lift Assist and Depth Stop, Hood Latch Adjustment, Lift Assist Spring Adjustment, Hood Removal and Installation, Fuel Tank Removal and Installation |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| 38-Inch Mower Deck | ||
| Spindle Mounting Nut Torque | 25 N•m (220 lb-in.) | p. 504 |
| 42-Inch Convertible Mower Deck | ||
| Spindle Mounting Nut Torque | 27 N•m (20 lb-ft) | p. 504 |
| LX255 | ||
| Spark Plug Type | Champion RC12YC | p. 245 |
| Spark Plug Gap | 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) | p. 245 |
| LX279 | ||
| Radiator Cap Relief Pressure | 73 - 103 kPa (10.6 - 14.9 psi) | p. 131 |
| Vacuum Valve | 4.9 kPa (0.71 psi) | p. 131 |
| Coolant Temperature Switch Closing Temperature | 111° C (232° F) | p. 247 |
| Kawasaki (Liquid-Cooled) Spark Plug Torque | 20 N•m (15 lb-ft) | p. 130 |
| All Models | ||
| Metric Fastener Torque (M6, Class 8.8, Lubricated) | 9 N•m (6.5 lb-ft) | p. 12 |
| Inch Fastener Torque (1/4", Grade 5, Lubricated) | 9.5 N•m (7 lb-ft) | p. 13 |
| LX255, LX266, LX277, LX277AWS, LX279, LX288 | ||
| Kohler Engine Oil Capacity w/ Oil Filter | 1.8 L (1.9 qt) | p. 26 |
| LX277 | ||
| Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) Engine Oil Capacity With Filter | 1.7 L (1.8 US qt) | p. 74 |
John Deere LX255-LX288 Common Problems This Manual Covers
John Deere LX255 engine hard to start, runs erratically, and will not idle properly
Inspect the ignition circuit components and wiring harness. Remove the spark plug and check for fouling or wear. Measure the spark plug gap and adjust to 1.0 mm (0.040 in.). Torque the replacement Champion RC12YC spark plug to 41 N•m (30 lb-ft) upon installation.
Manual Section: ElectricalLiquid-cooled engine overheats rapidly and shows low coolant level with engine shutoff p. 131
Check the radiator cap and cooling system pressure. Test the cap using a pressure tester as detailed on page 131. Replace the cap if the relief pressure falls outside the 73 - 103 kPa (10.6 - 14.9 psi) range. Verify the vacuum valve opens at 4.9 kPa (0.71 psi).
Manual Section: Engine - Kawasaki (Liquid-Cooled)38-inch mower deck vibrates violently and makes grinding noises during PTO engagement p. 504
Inspect the mower deck components for worn spindle bearings or unbalanced blades. Level the deck side-to-side on page 504, ensuring the height difference is within 3 mm (0.125 in.). Torque the 38-inch mower deck spindle mounting nuts to 25 N•m (220 lb-in.) to secure the assembly.
Manual Section: AttachmentsDashboard battery warning indicator light flashes intermittently or stays illuminated while driving p. 245
Test the charging circuit and wiring connections for loose terminals or poor grounds. Measure the electrical battery voltage to ensure it maintains a steady 12 VDC under load. Refer to the electrical specifications on page 245 to verify alternator output and clean all battery posts thoroughly.
Manual Section: ElectricalFrequently Asked Questions
What are the torque specs for the blade bolt on John Deere LX288?
The torque specifications for blade cap screws on the John Deere LX288 vary by mower deck size. For 38-Inch Mower Decks, the blade cap screw torque is 75 N•m (55 lb-ft). For 42-Inch Convertible Mower Decks, it is 62 N•m (46 lb-ft). For 44-Inch Piranha™ Mower Decks, it is 68 N•m (50 lb-ft), and for 48-Inch Convertible and 54-Inch Mower Decks, it is also 68 N•m (50 lb-ft).
What is the torque specification for the engine mounting bolt on John Deere LX255?
For the John Deere LX255, which uses a Kohler engine, the engine mounting cap screws should be tightened to a torque of 32 N•m (24 lb-ft). This specification is found in the alphabetical torque specifications for the Kohler engine.
What are the replacement specifications for Mower deck spindle?
Replacement specifications for mower deck spindles include torque values for mounting nuts and sheave nuts, as well as the lower seal installation position. For 38-Inch Mower Decks, the spindle mounting nut torque is 25 N•m (220 lb-in.) and the sheave nut torque is 140 N•m (103 lb-ft). For 42-Inch Convertible Mower Decks, the spindle mounting nut torque is 27 N•m (20 lb-ft), the sheave nut torque is 162 N•m (120 lb-ft), and the lower seal installation position is 7.3 mm (0.29 in.) below the hub flange. For 44-Inch Piranha™ Mower Decks, the spindle mounting nut torque is 27 N•m (20 lb-ft), the sheave nut torque is 162 N•m (120 lb-ft), and the lower seal installation position is 7.3 mm (0.29 in.) below the hub flange. For 48-Inch Convertible and 54-Inch Mower Decks, the spindle mounting nut torque is 27 N•m (20 lb-ft), the sheave nut torque is 145 N•m (106 lb-ft), and the lower seal installation position is 7.3 mm (0.29 in.) below the hub flange.
How do you fix john Deere LX255 engine hard to start, runs erratically, and will not idle properly?
Inspect the ignition circuit components and wiring harness. Remove the spark plug and check for fouling or wear. Measure the spark plug gap and adjust to 1.0 mm (0.040 in.). Torque the replacement Champion RC12YC spark plug to 41 N•m (30 lb-ft) upon installation.
How will I receive this John Deere LX255–LX288 Series Technical Manual?
Instant PDF download. You get the full 615-page searchable Technical Manual immediately after payment. Open it on your laptop, tablet, or phone right in the shop.
Are there any print restrictions on this manual?
Absolutely. No DRM or copy protection. Print the whole manual or just the pages you need. Any home or office printer works.
Does this manual have electrical diagrams?
Yes, this John Deere LX255–LX288 Series Technical Manual includes a wiring diagram for the electrical system.
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