John Deere 261 Grooming Mower

Satohbill · May 14, 2018

I recently purchased a JD261 grooming mower. The engage spring was missing. I ordered a new one and put it on but I can not figure out how I disengage the blades. I can pull the lever back but it does not lock in disengage mode. makes it kinda hard to move with a red belly ford 8n. Need some help here.

JoeM(GA) · May 14, 2018

That spring is a belt tension spring, doesn't lock back. 261 mower doesn't have a "disconnect" any time drive shaft is turning, the blades are going to turn too, only way to stop it is to disconnect the drive shaft at the tractor so you can use the lift without blades turning. A disadvantage of tractors like 8n's

Satohbill · May 15, 2018

Well since you know about the JD 261 mower, Do I have to raise my lift every time I make a turn with it or will the wheels just swivel around in the turn.

JoeM(GA) · May 15, 2018

If your rear caster wheels are working right and everything is free, no you don't have to lift the mower, it was designed to be on the ground through turns, now after saying that,this is a "Grooming" mower, not a bushhog, if your ground isn't real smooth and there are ruts and holes to catch the casters, then if the turn is real sharp I'd raise the mower just free of the ground just to protect the casters from getting snapped off. It's a good heavy mower, with sharp blades they give a real nice cut. They're only downfall is the lack of front casters like most newer finish mowers have. At one time Deere offered a kit to add them, don't know if it's still available.

staylorcpl@yahoo.com · Sep 2, 2021

(quoted from post at 07:13:29 05/15/18) If your rear caster wheels are working right and everything is free, no you don't have to lift the mower, it was designed to be on the ground through turns, now after saying that,this is a "Grooming" mower, not a bushhog, if your ground isn't real smooth and there are ruts and holes to catch the casters, then if the turn is real sharp I'd raise the mower just free of the ground just to protect the casters from getting snapped off. It's a good heavy mower, with sharp blades they give a real nice cut. They're only downfall is the lack of front casters like most newer finish mowers have. At one time Deere offered a kit to add them, don't know if it's still available.

Has anyone tried to Remove and Replace the existing John Deere Spindle assembly with another brand since the old parts are VERY EXPENSIVE or not available? Any ideas of which available spindle assemblies might work? Scag, Kubota, Husqvarna???? Something that is affordable... Let me know.

John Deere 261 Grooming Mower

Satohbill

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JoeM(GA)

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Satohbill

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