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Any John Deere 68 owners out there?

#1

O

oldyellr

I own a John Deere Model 68 rear engine riding mower. I think it's at least 30 years old and parts aren't available anymore, unless they're also on later models or later parts can be substituted. This has 2 blades with a total 34" cut, ideal for a 1/2 acre lot. Mowers this size are rare these days because there's virtually nothing between push mowers and 42" lawn tractors. Anyway, I'd like to hear from anyone familiar with this machine and any maintenance tips you may have.


#2

reynoldston

reynoldston

oldyellr said:
I own a John Deere Model 68 rear engine riding mower. I think it's at least 30 years old and parts aren't available anymore, unless they're also on later models or later parts can be substituted. This has 2 blades with a total 34" cut, ideal for a 1/2 acre lot. Mowers this size are rare these days because there's virtually nothing between push mowers and 42" lawn tractors. Anyway, I'd like to hear from anyone familiar with this machine and any maintenance tips you may have.
Click to expand...

Just what parts do you need? I have one that I have been running over 30 years. In that time I installed a short block, 8 HP Briggs because of oil burning. I have found that some parts aren't available but not all, just check with your John Deere dealer. This pass fall I had to reweld some brackets on the deck and installed a used carburetor which I bought at a salvage yard. I couldn't get a clutch idler pulley from the JD dealer but matched one up at a mower repair shop. I find I can get parts somehow. The old girl is getting a little loose jointed but still mows a haft acre of rough lawn with a lot of rocks every summer.


#3

K

KennyV

Drain and refil the transmission gear box... fun little mowers and will last almost forever...
The smaller JD RER's used a lot of common parts... there were many things from them in the Electric 90 .... that was also 32 inch deck, but everything was electric & looked like all the other RER's... :smile:KennyV


#4

O

oldyellr

reynoldston said:
Just what parts do you need? I have one that I have been running over 30 years. In that time I installed a short block, 8 HP Briggs because of oil burning. I have found that some parts aren't available but not all, just check with your John Deere dealer.
Click to expand...
I don't need any right now. I used to be able to check on-line through a JD website what parts my local dealer and others in the area had in stock, but that's changed now. I replaced a tie-rod and an idler pulley since I've had it. I also got a replacement Magnetron coil from a local repair shop when it died and I discovered it had no points. Only other problem was the right rear axle flange broke off because of a crappy weld, which I re-welded.

KennyV said:
Drain and refil the transmission gear box... fun little mowers and will last almost forever...
Click to expand...

Now that's one thing I hate on this machine, the transmission. It's extremely awkward to shift, feels like there's a lot of backleash and I can't feel any detents for all but 3rd and 4th gear. Do you suppose changing the transmission oil would help? Also, I can't set the parking brake because the notch in the brake pedal doesn't seem to line up, so can't be engaged.


#5

reynoldston

reynoldston

oldyellr said:
I don't need any right now. I used to be able to check on-line through a JD website what parts my local dealer and others in the area had in stock, but that's changed now. I replaced a tie-rod and an idler pulley since I've had it. I also got a replacement Magnetron coil from a local repair shop when it died and I discovered it had no points. Only other problem was the right rear axle flange broke off because of a crappy weld, which I re-welded.

Oh yes I have changed tie rods and the right axle years ago when they came out with a different style axle. As far as the transmission gos I have never had a problem The oil change does sound like a good idea. The only thing I have ever a problem with the transmission is when I am mowing it will be a little to get into reverse sometimes and it has been that way ever since I have had the mower. The detents works good in all gears on mine.
Click to expand...


#6

J

jenkinsph

My dad had a pair of 68 mowers years ago, spent a many an hour on those RER's. We had to keep about five acres of St. Augustine grass mowed and used these for several years. I thought we had a much narrower deck though and it took some time to cover that lawn.


#7

O

oldyellr

The Model 68 came came with either a single blade 30" deck or a double blade 34". Mine is the 34" and I allow about an hour to mow the back and front yards of my 1/2 acre lot. I use a 30" single blade Honda RER every other time and there really isn't much difference in the time it takes because the Honda turns tighter, requiring less back-and-forth.


#8

T

twinfords

i am supposed to get this one tonight. we will see.

johndeere68_2.jpg


#9

T

twinfords

i made the deal on the 68, cleaned her up a little last night. runs and cuts. fast little thing.


#10

O

oldyellr

Good stuff! They're great little machines and will last forever. What you can't replace you can fix with a hammer or welder. It looks like the shifter knob is missing. I don't see that you can buy that anymore, but you should replace it with something or you'll wear a hole in your hand. Those are awkward shifting gearboxes.


#11

T

twinfords

oldyellr said:
Good stuff! They're great little machines and will last forever. What you can't replace you can fix with a hammer or welder. It looks like the shifter knob is missing. I don't see that you can buy that anymore, but you should replace it with something or you'll wear a hole in your hand. Those are awkward shifting gearboxes.
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Yellr, does it look like the grass height adjustment knob? or something different?


#12

O

oldyellr

twinfords said:
Yellr, does it look like the grass height adjustment knob? or something different?
Click to expand...

The knob is like a ball about 2" in diameter, flat on the top and bottom and presses onto the handle. But any plastic knob or hand-grip that fits would be better than what you've got.


#13

J

jenkinsph

twinfords,
That mower appears to be in good shape, hope it all works out for you.:thumbsup:


#14

T

twinfords

jenkinsph said:
twinfords,
That mower appears to be in good shape, hope it all works out for you.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Yes i cleaned it up and checked everything out on it the other night, cut my backyard with it until it ran out of gas, it did a nice job actually.


#15

H

Helpmydad

Hi

I am still looking for gearbox parts for a John Deere 68.

Can anyone help?

Best regards


#16

J

Johnnypopper

I am looking for parts for our JD 68 and am having troubles even finding a salvage yard that has the rear differential still in tact. Looking for Part # M49004, AM101247 or AM134983. I know they aren't making these parts any longer, but this is is pride and joy and would appreciate any assistance andyone can provide me with.

Thank you!!


#17

J

Johnnypopper

reynoldston said:
Just what parts do you need? I have one that I have been running over 30 years. In that time I installed a short block, 8 HP Briggs because of oil burning. I have found that some parts aren't available but not all, just check with your John Deere dealer. This pass fall I had to reweld some brackets on the deck and installed a used carburetor which I bought at a salvage yard. I couldn't get a clutch idler pulley from the JD dealer but matched one up at a mower repair shop. I find I can get parts somehow. The old girl is getting a little loose jointed but still mows a haft acre of rough lawn with a lot of rocks every summer.
Click to expand...

I am looking for M49004, AM101247 or AM134983 and am struggling to find them because they are no longer available. even tried several salvage yards, would you have any advice?


#18

H

Helpmydad

reynoldston said:
Just what parts do you need? I have one that I have been running over 30 years. In that time I installed a short block, 8 HP Briggs because of oil burning. I have found that some parts aren't available but not all, just check with your John Deere dealer. This pass fall I had to reweld some brackets on the deck and installed a used carburetor which I bought at a salvage yard. I couldn't get a clutch idler pulley from the JD dealer but matched one up at a mower repair shop. I find I can get parts somehow. The old girl is getting a little loose jointed but still mows a haft acre of rough lawn with a lot of rocks every summer.
Click to expand...

Hi

Thought you might be able to offer some advice as you are managing to keep your one going. My Dad has a John Deere 68 & he is looking for gearbox parts. We have tried John Deere & some dismantle mower parts places without any luck.

My Dad is looking for parts AM36110 & AM36111, which are small plastic retainers
inside the gearbox. I have photo's if anyone needs to see what they are.


The gearbox that this mower has is a Foote gearbox, but I believe it is
interchangeable with a Peerless transmission which is numbered AM37434 for the
transmission ( sub for AM35523) or (sub AM38286) Foote

Also AM38286 Kit Peerless complete transmission, which includes parts to replace a
Foote to a Peerless transmission.

Ideally we would just like the retainers, as that is the only part that has failed, but we would consider a whole gearbox.

Please advise if know of any suitable substitute.


#19

B

billygoat86

i live up in saskatchewan canada and i just bought a good looking 68 recently. i just put an ad out on the local trading post and so far 3 people have contacted me since yesterday with old 68's they having all runners and look not bad. just a suggestion throw out some ads on your local internet buy and sell.
working great for me so far.
my wife is not overly excited with my little hobby lol


#20

O

oldyellr

Great! We'd like to see some pictures.


#21

B

billygoat86

Picking up one more next week ill upload some photos than.


#22

reynoldston

reynoldston

billygoat86 said:
Picking up one more next week ill upload some photos than.
Click to expand...

the model 68 were a great mower in there time. The main fault I find with mine is that it doesn't turn very sharp and you can't buy some parts for the model 68 anymore. I bought mine in 1980 and bought it used at it time, still going strong.


#23

O

oldyellr

Agree on the poor turning radius and parts. However, the 68 is a tough, simple machine to maintain with a hammer and a welder. :laughing:


#24

reynoldston

reynoldston

oldyellr said:
Agree on the poor turning radius and parts. However, the 68 is a tough, simple machine to maintain with a hammer and a welder. :laughing:
Click to expand...

I like the hammer and welder part, well true. :thumbsup:


#25

S

shovelhead

Does anyone have a photo of the drive belt installed? I think I may be missing some parts. How many idler pulleys on the drive belt.


#26

F

FieldMunky

Looks like this is an old thread but I am a new 68 owner. I just purchased mine last night. Everything seemed good when I watched the previous owner operate the machine but when I got home, there was an issue. Every time I try to engage the mower deck fully by pushing the lever all the way forward, the engine cuts out. If I sit and hold the lever "almost" all the way down, the mower will move and cut perfectly. I didn't have a lot of time to look at it last night, and I have already thought about checking to see if there are seat / weight sensors on these old beauties? Or maybe there is an issue with a reverse sensor? I contacted the previous owner and he said he thinks the belt is too tight? I have no idea so, any suggestions would be so appreciated!


#27

reynoldston

reynoldston

FieldMunky said:
Looks like this is an old thread but I am a new 68 owner. I just purchased mine last night. Everything seemed good when I watched the previous owner operate the machine but when I got home, there was an issue. Every time I try to engage the mower deck fully by pushing the lever all the way forward, the engine cuts out. If I sit and hold the lever "almost" all the way down, the mower will move and cut perfectly. I didn't have a lot of time to look at it last night, and I have already thought about checking to see if there are seat / weight sensors on these old beauties? Or maybe there is an issue with a reverse sensor? I contacted the previous owner and he said he thinks the belt is too tight? I have no idea so, any suggestions would be so appreciated!
Click to expand...

My memory isn't as good any more in my older years and it been some time since I have worked on one of these old model 68's. But as I recall I don't remember any safety switches on them. The seat was mounted on top of the outer engine cover. What I do remember about them is that the engine tends over heat on warn days. Maybe someone in the pass added a seat cutout?


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