John Deere is one of the most well-known and respected brand names in outdoor equipment. The company got its start in the 1830s when founder John Deere created a cast iron plow that was superior to other plows of the age and that helped cultivate the Great Plains. In 1912, the company moved into the tractor manufacturing business, and by the latter part of the middle 20th century it had begun to make lawnmowers for consumers. Older John Deere lawnmowers are considered classics by collectors because of their history and lineage. Restoring an old John Deere lawnmower takes a lot of work, depending on what shape the mower is already in, but the results are worth it for John Deere enthusiasts. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Drain the oil, gas and any other fluids from the mower if it has any left in it. Wear protective gloves and clothing and work in a well-ventilated area away from any open flames.
2. Dismantle the mower one piece at a time. Apply lubricating oil to corroded parts or bolts that aren't coming undone. Take pictures of every component and how it fits into the mower, using a digital camera. This allows you to evaluate each component individually. You'll need a wrench and a screwdriver during the disassembly process.
3. Examine each component of the mower. Remove rust with fine sandpaper and clean each component with engine cleaner. Write down the serial numbers of each part as you clean it. As you reassemble the lawnmower, you'll decide which parts need replacing; the serial number is good to have when replacing old John Deere parts.
4. Visit a local John Deere dealer with the serial numbers of the parts that are broken and need replacement. Even if the part is old and isn't made anymore, a John Deere representative should be able to help you find an equivalent that gets your mower working again. Bring in the old parts if you can so you can compare the size and shape of the old parts with the new ones. Always change the spark plugs in the motor when restoring a mower, to help it run properly.
5. Apply two coats of primer, one undercoat of paint and then two topcoats of paint to the exterior pieces of the mower to restore the mower's appearance. Use a paintbrush and keep the coats as thin as possible. Painting the shell before putting the mower back together helps prevent wet paint from seeping onto engine parts. Let each coat dry fully before applying the next one. Talk to the John Deere dealer about the original colors for your lawnmower model if you want it to look like it did when first constructed.
6. Reassemble the mower using the photos and notes you took earlier. If you get stuck, seek help from the John Deere dealer.
7. Refill the mower with the appropriate fluids such as oil and gas. Replace the tires with fresh ones, and fill them with air using an air pump.
Tags: John Deere, Deere dealer, each component, John Deere dealer, mower using, serial numbers
