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John Deere 285 Tractor Troubleshooting

John Deere 285 Engine Problems

Engine not starting

Empty fuel tank - Fill gasoline up.
Wrong grade of gasoline - Change fuel.
Stale fuel - Drain gasoline and fill fresh up.
Clogged fuel system - Remove clogging.
Faulty spark plug wire - Inspect and replace if required.
Spark plug not working - Replace as required.
Fuel filter is dirty - Install new filter.
Defective safety switch - Replace if required.
Carburetor malfunction - Check and repair as required.
Inspect and adjust throttle cable. Check the Valves and Compression System.

Engine hard to start

Spark plug wear - Check the spark and change defective spark.
Carburetor components worn out - Repair or replace parts.
Clogged fuel pipes - Service required.
Worn throttle cable - Replace as required.
Stale or incorrect fuel - Drain and add quality fuel.
Electrical wiring worn out - Inspect and change wires if required.
Starter fault - Check the starter and replace defective components.

Engine runs unevenly

Cooling fins are clogged - Remove dirt from cooling fins.
Electrical connections damaged - Inspect and restore defective contacts.
Ignition system problems - Check ignition and adjust if necessary.
Choke cable sticking - Check and repair.
Air cleaner blocked - Clean or change air filter.

John Deere 285 Engine runs but misses

Spark plug failed - Change spark plug.
Carburetor problems - Test and repair.
Ignition coil air gap incorrect - Check and adjust ignition coil air gap.

Engine overheats

Excessive engine load - Reduce the load.
Cooling fins or air inlet plugged - Clean and wash dirty components.
Too little or too much oil - Check oil level. Test engine oil pressure.
Poor quality oil - Change engine oil.
Check internal bearing clearance.
Too Fast idle - Adjust carburetor idle mixture screw.

Engine will not idle

Spark plug is loose - Tighten the spark plug correctly.
Faulty spark plug - Check the spark and change defective spark.

JD 285 Engine knocks

Low octane gasoline - Use proper gasoline.
Engine overload - Reduce the load.
Oil level low - Check oil level and add if necessary.
Low engine speed - Adjust the required speed.
Cylinder bore and rings worn out - Replace defective components.
Check for engine overheating from plugged cooling fins.
Checking and adjusting valve clearance.
Check for loose or worn connecting rods.

Engine backfires

Checking spark plug.
Adjust or change the choke.
Test carburetor, adjust if necessary.
Check and adjust ignition coil air gap.
Check inlet and outlet valves.
Check and adjust valve clearance.
Check flywheel key.

Engine lacks power

Engine temperature too high - Clogged air filter element.
High engine oil - Remove excess oil.
Fuel pump is damage - Check fuel pump and replace if required.
Governor is damage - Checking and adjusting governor.
Check and overhaul carburetor.
Test engine compression.

Engine getting too much fuel

Insufficient throttle opening - Adjust choke cable.
Carburetor malfunction - Adjust or repair carburetor.

Black exhaust smoke

Air filter element plugged - Check and clean.
Throttle not fully engaged - Inspecting and adjusting choke.
Inspect carburetor needle valve and seat for wear or damage.

John Deere 285 Electrical Troubleshooting

Starter motor will not turn engine

Fuse is defective - Check and change.
Poor terminal connection - Clean terminals.
Low charging voltage - Charge the battery.
Ignition switch defective - Change the lock.
Damaged starter - Replace or repair.
Wiring damage - Replace wiring.

Battery doesn't charge

One or more battery cells dead - Fit new battery.
Battery terminals and cables are dirty - Change or clean cable.

No Lights work

Light plug not connected.
Check light bulbs.
Short-circuit in cable.

JD 285 Machine Troubleshooting

Excessive tractor vibration

Attachment drive belts worn or damaged - Inspect and replace damaged belt.
Traction drive belt worn - Install new belt.
Drive pulley is dirty - Installing a new pulley.
The mower deck blades are bent or unbalanced - Balance the blades or replace.

Tractor doesn't move when engine runs

Parking brake is applied - Release the park brake.
Bypass valve lever in the push position - Disengage the bypass valve lever.
Mower blade could be loose - Tighten mower blades.
Unbalance in one or both blades - Balance the mower blades correctly.
Too little transmission oil - Add oil to the transmission.

John Deere 285 Mower Deck Problems

Plugged discharge chute

Operating at a faster ground speed - Use slower speed.
Grass too long - Adjusting cutting height.
Grass too wet - Wait until later to cut.
Engine rpm reduced - Open throttle wide.
Loss of airflow - Set higher revs.
Mower cuts too low - Change cutting height.
Belt fitted improperly - Check belt installation.

Uncut grass during operation

Mower's cutting deck is clogged - Mower deck needs cleaning.
Damaged or worn blade - Inspect and fit new blade if required.
Mower deck low - Deck leveling required.
Grass bag overfilled - Empty bagger.
Speed is very fast - Use slower speed.

Belt slips

Dirt in the pulley - Pulley cleaning required.
Drive belt damage - Inspect and replace worn belt.
Belt tension is incorrect - Adjust belt tension.

The lawn mower vibrates excessively

Debris in pulleys or in mower deck - Clean mower deck and sheave from debris.
Worn sheaves or belt - Change worn components.
Belt or pulleys no adjustment - Inspect and align.
Incorrect blade balancing - Balance blades correctly.

Blades scalping grass

Cutting height incorrect - Set the correct cutting height.
Mower rollers height wrong - Adjust front or back wheel height.
Insufficient tire pressure - Inflate tires as required.
Higher blade speed - Blade speed required.
Bent mower blades - Install new blades.

Uneven cutting results

Mower deck low - Checking and adjust deck height.
Tire pressure uneven - Inflate tires as required.
Incorrect rollers height - Adjust wheel heights correctly.
Speed too high - Use slower speed.
Mower blades blunt - Install new blade.

JOHN DEERE TRACTORS ATTACHMENTS
420	430	455	790	990
X300	X320	X330	X350	X475
X485	X500	X540	X570	X590
X700	X720	X738	X758	1023E
2025R	2210	2520	3025E	3032E
3038E	3038R	3039R	3046R	3203
3320	3520	4052R	4066R	4100
4105	4115	4200	4310	4320
4400	4410	4520	4600	4720

JD TRACTORS TROUBLESHOOTING
2640	3040	3310	3650	4100
5050D	5090R	5410	6105R	7200R
E130	L111	LA110	LT155	X300R