All service components are easy to access:

• Servicing is simplified because of the open engine compartment.
• All service and maintenance points are within easy reach.

Canister-type heavy-duty air cleaner is easy to reach and easy to service:

• Air cleaner has two filter elements; a large outer filter and a smaller inner safety filter.
• Both filters are easy to access and easy to change.

Engine oil service points are grouped together in easy-to-reach locations:

• Reduces the time required to check and/or change the oil and filter.

Simply raising the leaning pad exposes the hydrostatic oil reservoir, control linkage and other service areas.

 

A periodic service chart is provided on the back of the leaning pad for convenience in keeping up on required service.

Four tow holes, two at the front and two at the rear, are provided for safely towing or anchoring the vehicle.

One large knob is used to remove service access shields on the mower deck, battery box, etc.:

• Panels are easy to remove and install.

Threaded ball and socket rod ends are used throughout the QuikTraks:

• Provide precise control over a long period of time
• Easily replaced when necessary

Access to check and service the hydrostatic pumps and motors is readily available at the rear of the machine.

 

Transmission tow valves are located on the hydrostatic pumps to enable moving the vehicle without the engine running.

Secure battery box is provided to protect the battery, for reliable operation:

• Cover is easily removed for servicing the battery.

A commercial-quality 24.6-hp* (18.3-kW) at 3600 rpm air-cooled engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) powers the QuikTrak™ Mower:

• Overhead valve design
  • More horsepower and torque per cubic inch of displacement
  • Better fuel efficiency
• Electronic fuel injection (EFI)
  • Closed loop system for improved control of air/fuel mixture
  • Immediate starting in hot or cold ambient temperatures or after long periods of seasonal storage
  • No choke linkage for the user to operate
  • No engine warmup required, so the mower can be engaged immediately after the engine starts
  • Greater horsepower and torque responsiveness
  • Higher reliability with the elimination of vapor locking, misfiring, run-on, and after-bang
  • Automatic altitude compensation
  • Delivers fuel precisely
  • Reduces the potential for plug fouling 
  • Standard dual-element, canister-type, dry replaceable heavy-duty air cleaner with secondary safety element
• V-twin design
  • Fast starts
  • Smooth operation
• Vertical shaft for efficient transfer of power to the transmission

• Fuel pump for consistent and reliable fuel supply to the carburetor
• 50-state compliant engine, which complies with strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resource Board emission standards, without loss of horsepower or torque

• Full-pressure lubrication with full-flow filter

  • Reduces engine wear by ensuring proper lubrication, even when operating on hillsides or uneven terrain
  • Helps keep oil clean for increased engine life
  • Oil cooler helps keep engine at optimum temperature
• Air-cooled engine design for minimum maintenance and maximum reliability
• Aluminum cylinder block
  • Effectively dissipates heat
  • Lightweight and strong construction
  • Extends engine life due to elimination of debilitating engine temperatures

Engine is equipped with a replaceable oil filter for longer engine life.

 

Engine oil filter and oil drain are located close together for easy and convenient service.

*The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer
to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less.
Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information.

 Controls are color coded and logically placed to make them easy for the operator to find and use:

• Ground speed and direction are easily controlled by moving the two hand-lever hydrostatic drive controls forward or reverse.
  • Speeds are infinitely variable up to 9.5 mph (15.3 km/h) forward and 5.5 mph (8.9 km/h) reverse.
  • A positive neutral-lock position for the levers provides added safety.
• Two stationary reference bars are provided for operator convenience and security.
  • Front reference bar is included to control speed and reduce fatigue from control lever operation.
  • Rear reference bar is included to make reverse operation easy while maintaining operator confidence.
• Control levers return to neutral automatically for safety and convenience.

• Separate choke is easy to locate and use.

  • It is obvious whether the choke is on or not.
  • Less adjustment is needed with the separate choke.

A tire brake is provided to give stability for parking the vehicle on hillsides and for transport; it should be engaged whenever the machine is not being used:

• Brake must be engaged to start the machine, for added safety.
• The tire brake is easily adjusted, if necessary, to maintain effective operation.

Mower deck height-of-cut adjustment (648R, 652R, 661R)

On the 648R, 652R, 652R EFI, 661R, and 661R EFI QuikTraks, an easy-to-use cutting height adjustment system allows the operator to adjust the mower deck cutting height with no tools and minimal effort:

• Pull the lift lever back to the full-raised position.
• Remove the tethered pin and place it at the desired cutting height.
• Lower the lift lever; the lift lever and mower will stop at the desired cutting height.

 

NOTE: Additional information on mower cutting height adjustment can be found in the mower deck section.

A well-designed mower deck can make the difference between just getting the job done and getting eye-catching results. The 7-gauge, 0.177-in. (4.6-mm) fabricated mower deck delivers a higher quality of cut in more diverse conditions to enhance mowing performance and the opportunity for profit for lawn-care businesses.

 

Key features of the fabricated mower deck include: 

• The mower deck is manufactured from 7-gauge, 0.177-in. (4.6-mm) steel to minimize the number of welds and provide a smooth underside, with fewer sharp corners, for reduced material buildup.
• A compact footprint delivers greater maneuverability when working in tight quarters.
• A deep-deck design delivers excellent airflow so material is processed quickly and efficiently.

• A powerful vacuum effect is created by the deck's unique air-flow design, which pulls more grass upright so that the blades can cut more evenly.

 

The wide-discharge opening and raised deflector provide even clipping dispersal for an excellent finished appearance in all conditions.

 

Caster wheels with flat-free tires contribute to a smooth, even cutting job:

• Large, flat-free caster wheels carry the mower deck smoothly over the lawn.
• Caster wheels are recessed to reduce the vehicle footprint and turning radius.
  • With the wheels less exposed, there is less chance they'll get snagged by immovable obstacles, thus improving maneuverability and reducing damage.

Anti-scalp rollers are double-captured for durability. They enable the deck to float over the ground and provide a smooth, level cut on even the most challenging terrain.

The QuikTrak is equipped with a floating mower deck that offers several advantages over a fixed mower deck:

• The lift lever allows the operator to raise the mower to the full-up position from the operator's station.
  • Convenient when transporting from one mowing area to another and when loading on a trailer or truck
  • Allows the operator to raise the mower over roots or other obstructions in the lawn on the fly
• Lift-assist springs reduce the effort required to raise the mower deck.

Cutting and discharging features

Mower cutting height can be set from 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) to 5 in. (12.7 cm) in 0.25-in. (0.64-cm) increments:

• Pull the lift lever back to the full-raised position.
• Remove the tethered pin and place it at the desired cutting height.
• Lower the lift lever; the lift lever and mower will stop at the desired cutting height.

 

Mower deck shields are easy to remove, with one knob, for access to the drive belt and other service points.

Optional mulching attachment

Optional mulching attachment and special mulching blades are available:

• This is a high-performance mulching attachment that includes formed steel baffles to control the material for superior performance.
• The special mulching blades can also be used for side discharging, though overall cutting performance may be slightly less than with the standard blades.

QuikTrak™ Mowers use a heavy-duty hydrostatic pump and wheel-motor drive system that gives reliable and consistent performance and long life:

• Heavy-duty components stand up to the rigors of commercial use.
• Individual pump and wheel motor design allows placement of these heavy components low in the vehicle for a low center of gravity and excellent hillside stability.

Two Hydro-Gear™ 0.73 cu in. (12-cc) axial piston, variable displacement pumps provide hydraulic power to the wheel motors:

• Pumps are linked to the hand-control levers to allow the operator to make speed and direction changes.
• Rugged construction is ideal for high-performance commercial use.
• Piston design gives efficient and consistent performance. 
• A replaceable hydraulic filter helps ensure long life of the pumps and wheel motors.

Two individual 15-cu in. (245.8-cc) piston wheel motors power the QuikTrak drive wheels. Their heavy-duty construction and super-efficient axial-piston design provides superior performance and seamless power to the wheels:

• Integrated high-pressure shaft seal gives greater reliability.
• Large bearings are designed with the capacity to carry heavier loads and give long life.

A spin-on type replaceable hydraulic oil filter is conveniently located:

• Extends life of transmission components by keeping oil clean
• Easy-to-reach for easy and fast service

 

A hydraulic fluid oil reservoir is located behind the leaning pad:

• Located in a cleaner environment
• Easy to access for inspection and service

 

Transmission tow valves are provided on each hydrostatic pump to permit moving the QuikTrak without the engine running.

Hydro-Gear is a U.S.-registered trademark of Hydro-Gear Company.

From the operator's platform to the mower deck, John Deere QuikTrak™ Mowers have a compact and functional design:

• The compact design allows the QuikTrak to operate in areas that a larger machine cannot. Often, this means the area can be mowed with a QuikTrak so it is not necessary to switch to a walk-behind mower.
• With the compact design of QuikTrak Mowers, less space is required on a truck or trailer - which can mean there is room for an extra mower, resulting in saved time and money.

Whether mowing hills or on the level, trimming or mowing straight-away, the operator of a John Deere QuikTrak is able to affect the performance of the machine with their body:

• The compact design of the QuikTrak allows the operator to use their body to help control the machine.
• The innovative QuikTrak design puts the center of gravity at the operator's feet where body weight can be used to keep traction on the higher wheels to mow across slopes at higher speeds with greater control.
• Faster ground speeds get work done quicker.
• Less polar motion means quicker turns.
• Better traction on slopes gives more control and increased productivity.
• Superior stability gives more control and confidence when mowing hillsides.
• Better visibility allows more-timely operator reaction to the terrain and obstructions.
• Standing area is designed for improved range of motion to allow the operator more room to move and avoid obstacles.
• Minimal operator-station obstruction allows safe and fast exits for clearing mower-path obstacles.
• Operator area is designed for more comfort and less fatigue.

John Deere QuikTraks are designed, tested, and manufactured to provide the best commercial mowing machines available:

• Bull-nosed shape of front edge of mower deck allows caster wheels to be set back further, closer to the blades, for more effective ground following.
• Compact design takes less space for mowing tighter areas and may allow room for an extra machine when hauling to the worksite.

Key safety features of QuikTraks include:

• Operator presence starting system

  • Operator on platform
  • Park brake engaged
  • Power take-off (PTO) disengaged
  • Control levers in neutral
  • Ignition key used to start the engine
• A high-quality polyethylene mower-discharge deflector
  • Deflects if it strikes a solid obstruction, causing less damage
  • Returns to its original shape and function
• Operator station designed to allow fast exit
• Two large curb wheels
• Easy to remove and replace shields
• Stationary handles on either side of the traction controls for operator security
• Control levers return to neutral when released

Mower deck safety certification

QuikTrak mower decks are evaluated by the manufacturer (John Deere Turf Care) and conform to ANSI B71.4 2004 safety certification specifications for commercial turf care equipment.