INTRODUCTION Introduction Thank You for Purchasing a Scotts Product We appreciate having you as a customer and wish you many years of safe and satisfied use of your machine. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! This text is used to tell the operator of actions or conditions that might result in damage to the machine. NOTE: General information is given throughout the manual that may help the operator in the operation or service of the machine. Using Your Operator’s Manual This manual is an important part of your machine and should remain with the machine when you sell it. Reading your operator’s manual will help you and others avoid personal injury or damage to the machine.

Information given in this manual will provide the operator with the safest and most effective use of the machine. Knowing how to operate this machine safely and correctly will allow you to train others who may operate this machine. CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning W arning: g The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals kno w n to the State of California to cause cancer, bir t h defects or other reproductive harm . This manual and safety signs on your machine may also be available in other languages (see your John Deere dealer to order).

Sections in your operator’s manual are placed in a specific order to help you understand all the safety messages and learn the controls so you can operate this machine safely. You can also use this manual to answer any specific operating or servicing questions. A convenient index located at the end of this book will help you to find needed information quickly. The machine shown in this manual may differ slightly from your machine, but will be similar enough to help you understand our instructions. RIGHT-HAND and LEFT-HAND sides are determined by facing in the direction the machine will travel when going forward.

When you see a broken line arrow (------>), the item referred to is hidden from view. Before delivering this machine, your dealer performed a predelivery inspection to ensure best performance. Special Messages Your manual contains special messages to bring attention to potential safety concerns, machine damage as well as helpful operating and servicing information. Please read all the information carefully to avoid injury and machine damage. c CAUTION: Avoid injury! This symbol and text highlight potential hazards or death to the operator or bystanders that may occur if the hazards or procedures are ignored. Introduction

Page 2

Register Your Product and Warranty Online

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION Product Identification Record Identification Numbers Scotts Lawn Tractors L1742, L17.542, L2048 and L2548 PIN ( 010001- ) If you need to contact an Authorized Service Center for information on servicing, always provide the product model and identification numbers. You will need to locate the model and serial number for the machine and for the engine of your machine and record the information in the spaces provided below. DATE OF PURCHASE: _________________________________________ DEALER NAME: _________________________________________ DEALER PHONE: _________________________________________ B A C PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (A):

MX10531a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER (B): __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ MOWER DECK SERIAL NUMBER (C): __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Register Your Product and Warranty Online To register your product through the Internet, simply go to www.JohnDeereWarrantyRegistration.com. Completing the information, either online or with the product warranty card, will ensure the customer that their product receives all post sales service and important product information. Product Identification

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Safety .....................................................................................................................................................................................1 Operating................................................................................................................................................................................9 Replacement Parts...............................................................................................................................................................27 Service Intervals...................................................................................................................................................................28 Service Lubrication...............................................................................................................................................................30 Service Engine .....................................................................................................................................................................32 Service Transmission ...........................................................................................................................................................39 Service Mower......................................................................................................................................................................40 Service Electrical..................................................................................................................................................................47 Service Miscellaneous..........................................................................................................................................................50 Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................................................53 Storage.................................................................................................................................................................................57 Assembly ..............................................................................................................................................................................59 Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................................62 Warranty ...............................................................................................................................................................................64 Index.....................................................................................................................................................................................70 All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based on the latest information at the time of publication.

The right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice. COPYRIGHT© 2001 Deere & Co. John Deere Worldwide Commercial and Consumer Equipment Division All rights reserved Previous Editions COPYRIGHT© OMGX20928 I1 - English Table of Contents

Page 4