1992–1996 John Deere 240, 245, 260, 265, 285, 320 Lawn and Garden Tractor Technical Repair Manual (P/N TM1426)

John Deere technical manual TM1426 covers the 1992–1996 240, 245, 260, 265, 285, and 320 lawn and garden tractors, including gear and hydrostatic drivetrain variants. This September 1996 edition replaces the September 1992 edition.

Text search and wiring detail: Main text is searchable, with embedded bookmarks for sections and subsections. Some wiring-diagram labels are not searchable; small labels on the wide electrical schematics require zooming.

• Engine repair: Engine removal, cylinder-head and valve work, piston and crankshaft inspection, cylinder reboring, and lubrication-system diagnosis for the Kawasaki engines.
• Fuel and cooling: Carburetor overhaul, vacuum fuel-pump tests, governor adjustment, fuel-injection diagnosis, and FD590V radiator, thermostat, and water-pump service.
• Powertrain service: Gear transaxle disassembly, hydrostatic transmission repair, differential inspection, brake adjustment, charge-pressure testing, and neutral-return or creep adjustment.
• Electrical troubleshooting: Starting, ignition, charging, PTO, and safety-interlock circuits, supported by component locations, wiring diagrams, diagnostic charts, and circuit voltage tests.
• Steering and implement lift: Steering-gear overhaul and adjustment, mechanical lift linkage service, and 320 hydraulic control-valve repair, pressure testing, and lift-cylinder diagnosis.
• Mower deck repair: Blade inspection, sharpening and balancing, belt replacement, and spindle disassembly across the documented 38-, 46-, 48-, and 50-inch decks.

John Deere wrote this manual for experienced technicians.

Kawasaki Engine Repair and Lubrication

Separate sections cover the FC420V, FC540V, and FD590V engines. Internal repair procedures extend to valve-seat refacing, crankshaft bearings, and crankshaft end-play adjustment, with component-specific torque tables and wear limits.

The “FC420V and FC540V Lubrication System” diagram traces oil delivery to engine components. Crankcase vacuum tests specify the JT05698 U-Tube Manometer, while compression and oil-pressure tests support mechanical fault diagnosis.

The FC420V camshaft procedure warns that incorrect timing-mark alignment during removal can damage the tappets.

Fuel Delivery and FD590V Cooling

Fuel-system chapters explain fuel flow, vacuum-pump operation, carburetor circuits, and governor action. The “Fuel Injection Fuel System” schematic and injector and pressure-regulator sections address the injected configuration, with separate electrical checks for its controls.

FD590V cooling coverage includes pressure testing, thermostat inspection, and water-pump removal and installation. Coolant-capacity specifications accompany the cooling-system procedures.

Electrical Circuits and No-Start Diagnosis

Magneto ignition for the FC420V and FC540V is treated separately from the FD590V battery-and-coil system. The “Cranking System” schematic traces the safe-start circuit through the PTO and transmission switches.

Circuit-specific tests help distinguish a starter-interlock fault from a no-spark fault before components are replaced.

Fuel-injection troubleshooting extends to sensor inputs, relays, injector operation, and control-module circuits. Electrical test specifications accompany the voltage checks and component tests.

Gear Transaxles and Hydrostatic Drive

Gear transaxle overhauls for the 240 and 260 cover shift keys, reduction gears, differential components, and shaft end play. Brake sections distinguish the earlier external drum-and-shoe arrangement from the later internal wet-disc brake.

Hydrostatic chapters for the 245, 265, 285, and 320 separate transmission configurations by model and serial break. The “Surge Relief Valve Operation” diagram explains engagement control; pump and motor inspection, charge-pressure checks, and linkage adjustments address loss of drive and creep.

Steering, Lift Hydraulics, and Mower Spindles

Steering-gear repair includes bearing preload and gear-mesh adjustment. The 320 hydraulic lift section covers control-valve operation and repair, relief-pressure testing, and cylinder leakage checks; the lift cylinder is nonserviceable and is replaced as an assembly.

The “48 Inch Spindle Cross Section” supports spindle inspection and assembly. Its repair notes warn that clamping the shaft’s hex end in a vise can damage it and interfere with blade operation.

Review the manual’s safety precautions for rotating blades and pressurized hydraulics before servicing these assemblies.

A Preview of Engine Torque and Clearance Data

These examples represent a small selection of the manual’s engine specifications. The FC420V flywheel-nut torque is 137 N·m (101 lb-ft).

Cold intake and exhaust valve clearance is 0.15 mm (0.006 in.) for the FC420V and FC540V, compared with 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) for the FD590V. The separate engine sections keep these settings tied to the correct engine.

For FC420V and FC540V ignition adjustment, the coil air-gap specification is 0.3 mm (0.012 in.).

PDF Contents and Wide Schematic Pages

The download contains one printable 562-page PDF in English. This total includes the cover, introduction, index, blank pages, and nine additional tiled pages reproducing the three wide electrical schematics.