Part of the John Deere Repair Manuals.
Pull the seat pan, chase a dead PTO circuit, or set valve lash on a Kawasaki twin with John Deere Technical Manual TM2046, 446 pages written by Deere for the LX280, LX280AWS and LX289 garden tractors. Electrical takes a substantial block near the middle, with harness schematics that trace each wire from the key switch through the safety interlocks to the fuel solenoid. Power train coverage runs longer than any other system, walking the hydrostatic transaxle from diagnostics through tests, adjustments and full repair, and the back of the book handles mower decks, lift assist and the seat support. Gap the plug at 0.75 mm (0.030 in.) on the LX280 and LX280AWS, then torque the valve adjustment screw jam nut to 6.9 N•m (61 lb-in.). Interlock faults hide in three places at once. Bookmarked and text-searchable, this PDF sits on whatever screen you carry out to the barn.
What's Inside This John Deere LX280, LX280AWS, LX289 Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Fastener Torques | 13-14 | Metric Fastener Torque Values, Inch Fastener Torque Values |
| O-Ring Seal Service | 15-17 | Face Seal Fittings with Inch Stud Ends Torque, Face Seal Fittings with Metric Stud Ends Torque, O-Ring Face Seal Fittings, O-Ring Boss Fittings |
| General Information | 18-20 | Gasoline, Gasoline Storage, - Cycle Gasoline Engine Oil, Break-In Engine Oil - 4-Cycle Gasoline, Hydrostatic Transmission and Hydraulic Oil, Oil Filters, Alternative Lubricants |
| Coolant Specifications | 21-22 | Mixing of Lubricants, Gasoline Engine Coolant, Gasoline Engine Coolant Drain Interval |
| Engine - Kawasaki (Liquid-Cooled) | 23-84 | Specifications, Diagnostics, Tests and Adjustments, Repair, Component Location, Radiator, Coolant Pump, Thermostat |
| Engine - Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) | 85-138 | Specifications, Diagnostics, Tests and Adjustments, Repair, Component Location, Carburetor Disassembly and Assembly, Choke Plate Check and Adjustment, Oil Filter Manifold |
| Electrical | 139-246 | Schematics, Wiring Harnesses, Theory of Operation, Diagnostics, Tests and Adjustments |
| Power Train - Hydrostatic | 247-342 | Transaxle, Hydrostatic System, Diagnostics, Tests and Adjustments, Repair |
| Steering | 343-376 | 2WS Steering, AWS Steering, Diagnostics, Tests and Adjustments, Repair |
| Attachments and Miscellaneous | 377-446 | Mower Decks, Lift Assist, Seat and Support, Index |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| LX289 | ||
| Spark Plug Torque | 20 N•m (15 lb-ft) | p. 29 |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.7 mm (0.028 in.) | p. 25 |
| Slow Idle Speed | 1550 ± 150 rpm | p. 25 |
| Fast Idle Speed | 3550 ± 50 rpm | p. 25 |
| LX280 and LX280AWS | ||
| Spark Plug Torque | 22 N•m (195 lb-in.) | p. 87 |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.75 mm (0.030 in.) | p. 87 |
| Slow Idle Speed (Governed) | 1500 ± 100 rpm (1700 rpm) | p. 87 |
| All Models | ||
| Valve Adjustment Screw Jam Nut Torque | 6.9 N•m (61 lb-in.) | p. 88 |
| Electric PTO Clutch Resistance | 2.4 - 2.7 ohms | p. 235 |
| Electric PTO Clutch Air Gap | 1 mm (0.04 in.) | p. 235 |
| Swash Plate/Shift Block Clearance | 0.01 - 0.11 mm (0.0004 - 0.004 in.) | p. 324 |
| Swash Plate/Shift Block Wear Limit | 0.15 mm (0.006 in.) | p. 324 |
John Deere LX280, LX280AWS, LX289 Common Problems This Manual Covers
Engine bogs down in tall grass and loses power after running for a while
Drain the old fuel and pull the float bowl. Clean the pilot and main jets, then tighten the carburetor drain screw to 1.3 N•m (11 lb-in.) and the main jet to 2.3 N•m (20 lb-in.), both listed on page 90. Replace cracked fuel lines and the fuel filter.
Manual Section: Engine - Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) p. 90Engine develops a ticking or tapping noise once it warms up to operating temperature
Pull the rocker cover with the engine cold and set valve lash before you tear anything down. Torque the valve adjustment screw jam nut to 6.9 N•m (61 lb-in.) as given on page 88, then reinstall the rocker cover cap screws at that same 6.9 N•m (61 lb-in.).
Manual Section: Engine - Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) p. 88Engine cranks slowly or will not start after sitting through the winter
Charge the battery and load test it before you chase spark. On LX280 and LX280AWS, pull the plug, set the gap at 0.75 mm (0.030 in.) and torque it back to 22 N•m (195 lb-in.) per page 87. Fresh fuel and a clean air filter element come next.
Manual Section: Engine - Kawasaki (Air-Cooled) p. 87Frequently Asked Questions
What is the blade cap screw torque for the 42-Inch Mower Deck on the John Deere LX280?
The 42-Inch Mower Deck blade cap screw torques to 75 N•m (55 lb-ft), per the attachments repair specifications on page 379. p. 379
How do you fix a John Deere LX280 mower deck that vibrates violently when the PTO engages or a deck drive belt that slips?
Pull the deck and spin each spindle by hand before blaming the belt. Inspect the electric clutch pulley for cracked or split sheaves, then set the clutch air gap to the 1 mm (0.04 in.) listed on page 235 and torque the adjustment screws to 6 N•m (54 lb-in.). p. 377
How do you fix a John Deere LX280 deck that will not engage when the PTO switch is pulled?
Unplug the PTO clutch connector and put a meter across the coil terminals. Resistance should read 2.4 to 2.7 ohms as shown on page 235; anything open or shorted means a new clutch. If the coil checks good, work the seat switch, RIO switch and interlock wiring next. p. 235
How do you fix a John Deere LX280 that will not move forward or reverse with the engine running and the brake released?
Check the traction drive belt routing first, since a belt that jumped an idler pulley mimics a dead transaxle. Verify transaxle oil level against the 2.5 L (2.7 qt) capacity on page 249, then measure swash plate to shift block clearance against the 0.01 to 0.11 mm (0.0004 to 0.004 in.) spec on page 324. p. 249
What do I get after purchasing this John Deere LX280 manual?
A single searchable PDF file of 446 pages, downloadable right after payment. Nothing ships, nothing waits in the mail.
Are there any print restrictions on this John Deere LX280 manual?
Zero restrictions. The PDF is DRM-free. Print whatever sections you need to take out to the shop. Standard letter or A4 paper works.
Does this John Deere LX280 manual have electrical schematics?
Yes. The John Deere LX280, LX280AWS, LX289 Technical Manual includes wiring diagrams for the electrical system, starting with the LX280 (FH580V) main electrical schematic on page 149.
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