John Deere Riding Mower Technical Manual – RX63, RX73, RX75, SX75, RX95, SX95, 1988–1990 (P/N TM1391)

John Deere Technical Manual P/N TM1391 covers 1988–1990 RX63, RX73, RX75, SX75, RX95, and SX95 riding mowers. The PDF pages carry the April 17, 1990 revision date. Ten sections cover component repair, operational checkout, and system diagnosis.

PDF Search, Bookmarks, and Wiring Detail

Search and diagram readability. Procedure text is searchable, and 102 embedded bookmarks link to sections and selected procedures. Wiring labels embedded in images are outside the text search. The larger wiring diagrams are easier to read with zoom. Some small labels in the starting and ignition schematics remain indistinct even when enlarged.

The ZIP contains one printable English PDF with 168 pages, including 123 pages of technical content, 11 contents pages, two introduction pages, one cover, one Service Information Bulletin index page, and 30 blank or divider pages. Bulletin coverage is limited to index entries.

Engine, Variator, and Electrical Troubleshooting

These selected topics show the range of repair and diagnostic coverage. The manual also covers engine shroud removal and installation.

• Engine and fuel systems: Engine removal and installation, cylinder compression and leakage checks, crankcase vacuum testing, governor and carburetor adjustments, and fuel pump testing and repair.
• Power train: Mechanical transaxle removal and assembly, variator bearing service, primary and secondary drive belt replacement, and standard and reduced-speed variator adjustments.
• Electrical diagnosis: Step-by-step starter and charging system tests, ignition coil and ignitor checks, and safety interlock tests for electric-start and recoil-start riders.
• Steering and brakes: Tie rod and sector gear disassembly, steering gear alignment, front axle and wheel bearing repair, brake pad inspection, and linkage adjustment.
• Mower deck and PTO: Spindle overhaul, deck and lift linkage removal and installation, PTO linkage adjustment, and blade stopping checks.
• Factory reference data: Component-specific torque tables, wear limits, electrical test specifications, diagnostic charts, exploded views, and assembly drawings.

John Deere wrote this manual for experienced technicians. The diagnostic sections assume familiarity with the mower and its systems.

Engine and Fuel-System Repair

Separate engine removal and installation procedures cover the 12.5 hp models and the 6 hp and 9 hp models. Fuel pump repair covers diaphragm and valve inspection, disassembly, and reassembly. Oil pressure testing is specific to the 12.5 hp models.

The operating tests connect symptoms such as surging, hard starting, and low power to the relevant checks. Named tools include the JDM-71 vibration tachometer, JDM-59 compression gauge, and JT05698 U-tube manometer. The mixture adjustment procedure warns that forcing the screw can damage the carburetor needle and seat.

Separate engine manual required. Internal engine repair and complete air cleaner, breather, and carburetor repair require the separately available CTM-5. Illustration M49073 is missing from the engine removal and installation pages, and part of the crankcase vacuum test text is cut off on PDF p. 124.

Mechanical Transaxle and Variator Service

The belt routing drawings show the primary and secondary belt paths. The transaxle assembly drawing identifies the forward and reverse gears, differential, axles, and early-unit shift detent.

The variator bearing is the only serviceable part of the variator assembly. The manual covers speed control adjustment after primary belt replacement and provides standard and reduced-speed settings. Illustration M48147 is missing from the shift-control linkage checks.

Electrical Tests and Serial-Specific Wiring

The starting, ignition, and charging diagrams accompany tests for no-crank, no-spark, and charging faults. The tests distinguish band-type and plunger-type seat switches and cover the SX indicator lamp circuits. Serial-specific key-switch connections and regulator changes help technicians match the circuit to the machine before tracing a fault.

RX95/SX95 wiring page. The page headed RX95/SX95 (240-15-3) contains a diagram labeled RX75/SX75.

Mower Spindles, Deck Linkage, and PTO

Spindle exploded views and assembly procedures distinguish the 26- and 30-inch decks from the 38-inch deck. The bearing installation notes identify which race to support to avoid damage. The manual covers deck and lift linkage removal and installation. It calls for leveling the deck without providing a dedicated leveling procedure.

Always prioritize workshop safety and consult a certified technician before performing major service procedures on this equipment, particularly around rotating blades and spring-loaded linkages.

Sample Starter and PTO Test Limits

The starter bench test specifies a maximum no-load draw of 60 amps for 9 hp models and 50 amps for 12.5 hp models. These limits help narrow down whether to inspect the starter or continue checking for engine-related causes of slow cranking.

In the PTO brake checkout at half throttle, the mower blades should stop within 7 seconds of PTO disengagement.