JD X500 mower deck

[Eric Barney]

Parsonbw.

Do you have a smooth surface to park your X500 to remove the deck? If so, First: Raise the deck to the top. Second: release the pins and move all the gauge wheels to the sideways position. Third: set the cut gauge knob to the lowest position. ( the unmarked space on the scale) Fourth: lower the deck to the bottom, and it should be sitting on the wheels. Fifth: release the belt tension lever, and take the belt off the front pulley. Sixth: Pull the two "J" hooks out at the rear lift levers to disengage them. Now raise the deck lever. (The deck should be still on the ground) Seventh: release the park brake on the tractor so you can roll it slightly to disengage the front lift rods. Once they are unhooked, roll the deck out from under the tractor.

Removing the deck is really easy, and is not strenuous if you are careful. Putting it back on is also just as easy. I remove my deck to clean it, and inspect it at the end of each mowing season. The only part that can be difficult is turning the deck over once it is removed. Even still, with a helper that should be easy too.

 

[parsonbw]

Parsonbw.

Do you have a smooth surface to park your X500 to remove the deck? If so, First: Raise the deck to the top. Second: release the pins and move all the gauge wheels to the sideways position. Third: set the cut gauge knob to the lowest position. ( the unmarked space on the scale) Fourth: lower the deck to the bottom, and it should be sitting on the wheels. Fifth: release the belt tension lever, and take the belt off the front pulley. Sixth: Pull the two "J" hooks out at the rear lift levers to disengage them. Now raise the deck lever. (The deck should be still on the ground) Seventh: release the park brake on the tractor so you can roll it slightly to disengage the front lift rods. Once they are unhooked, roll the deck out from under the tractor.

Removing the deck is really easy, and is not strenuous if you are careful. Putting it back on is also just as easy. I remove my deck to clean it, and inspect it at the end of each mowing season. The only part that can be difficult is turning the deck over once it is removed. Even still, with a helper that should be easy too.

Thanks so much, Eric. Exactly what I was looking for. Grateful

 

[wrager]

Makes life really easy!

 

[parsonbw]

Makes life really easy!

Thanks for the pic, wrager. My pro lift should be arriving the first of next week.

 

[Dashe]

Ok the pro lift is great but I am also 66 years old and I find removing the deck on my 54" deck on my x720 easy. I can do it in 3 minutes or less with no lifting. The hardest thing on removing my deck is disconnecting the drive shaft which the x500 deck doesn't have. First you raise the deck up and rotate the gauge wheels 90 degrees. There should be a slot for the pin to fit in to. Lower the deck on to a smooth surface. On my deck, there is a lever on the front of the tractor that you unlatch and it drops the front of the deck, push the deck back and remove the drive belt. Roll the deck out from under the mower. I have also purchase a inexpensive rope hoist from Amazon to lift my deck so I can get to the under side. I have also built a dolly that allows me to store and move my deck in the upright position. 4, 10 inch wheels from harbor freight, a 5/8" threaded rod and a few nuts and you have a dolly. I believe that even with a pro lift, at some time you will need to remove your deck. Hope this helps.

 

[wrager]

Oh, I agree, removing the deck is not bad on these Deere's. But I sharpen my blades (3 as you know) at least every 3 weeks. Not to mention cleaning the mulch away. I don't want to remove the deck every time. I will take the deck off a couple times a year to do cleaning and greasing.