Any John Deere 68 owners out there?

[billygoat86]

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

 

[reynoldston]

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

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.

 

[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:

 

[reynoldston]

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:

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

 

[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.

 

[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!

 

[reynoldston]

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!

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?