Compact Tractor Owner's Guide: How to Install and Remove John Deere AutoConnect Mower Deck
One of the most common calls we get from customers is "Can you show me how to remove my mower deck again?". To help, we decided to lay out the steps in a very detailed step-by-step how-to video. In this video, Justin Goodrich, a 15+ year experienced Prairie State Tractor compact tractor sales professional, will walk you through how to remove and re-install an AutoConnect Drive Over Mower Deck with Mechanical Lift for your John Deere 1023E, 1025R, or 2025R Compact Utility Tractor. With the fastest two-click attachment and detachment mower deck system on the market, you'll be back to work in no time.
In this video, we explain:
- How to remove an AutoConnect mower deck
- How to re-attach an AutoConnect mower deck
- Tips and tricks to make the process easier
Mower Deck Removal Steps
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: In these instructions, we use a 2022 John Deere 60D 7-Iron AutoConnect Mower Deck (Code 701CLV) which is compatible with Model Year 2017 and newer 1023E, 1025R, and 2025R tractors. Also, these are steps for an AutoConnect Mower Deck with a Mechanical Mower Lift option. The standard mechanical mower lift system moves the mower in conjunction with the rear implement and is controlled using the rockshaft lever.
- Park the tractor on a level surface.
- PRO TIP: To prevent slipping on a smooth service, try using a rubber mat.
- Pull back 3-point rock shaft left (3-point lever) to raise the mower deck.
- Set height-of-cut to the install position.
- Release pin on all four gauge wheels making certain rear gauge wheels are in forward position.
- Lower mower to ground.
- Remove the two pins on the lift arms
- Flip both brackets forward until they come to a stop
- Put the tractor in 4WD, transmission into low, and give it a small amount of throttle.
- Back tractor over deck watching left-front tire next to rail as a guide
- Will hear brackets on lift arms rotate back to install position
- Raise mower deck arms
- Set height-of-cut to the highest position (to avoid damaging any components when using the tractor)
Mower Deck Installation Steps
- Make sure the deck is on a firm level surface and gauge wheels are in unlocked position.
- Set height-of-cut to the install position and lower rockshaft to the lowest position.
- Slowly drive tractor straight over deck making sure left-front wheel aligns with rail on left side of mower deck.
- Go forward until latches in rear of deck snap into place.
- Reinstall your pins on the lift arms.
- Raise mower deck and change height-of-cut setting from install to desired height of cut.
- Use quick-release pins to lock gauge wheels at desired mowing height.
- PRO-TIP: Set gauge wheels slightly above (approx. 1/8-1/2 of an inch) mower deck height to prevent scalping.
We hope this guide helped you easily remove and reattach your AutoConnect mower deck! If you have any suggestions for future how-to videos you'd like to see, click here to fill out our contact form with your idea(s).
About Prairie State Tractor
Prairie State Tractor is a leading full-service John Deere dealership in the northwest and central part of Illinois with eight locations in the cities of Dixon, Freeport, Geneseo, Lacon, Mendota, Pontiac, Princeton, and Streator. We have dedicated Small Tractor and Turf Sales Consultants at each store who are ready to assist you with all your John Deere equipment questions and needs. Give us a call today or click below to chat.