John Deere S240 Lawn Tractor with 42-in. Deck

Engine is powerful and smooth-running premium V-twin design

The engine speed lever and choke control lever are separate controls:

• The engine speed lever is easy to use - there is no need to worry about pushing too far and engaging the choke as on single throttle/choke lever systems.
• The choke lever is spring loaded so the operator cannot accidentally operate the tractor with the choke on.

 Engine hood opens wide for easy access to service points:

• It is easy to inspect and clean the engine area.
• Important service points are exposed.
• Cleanout ports designed into the engine shroud make cleaning the engine cooling fins easy.
• The high-quality engine used in the S240 does not require an 8-hour oil and filter change because improvements in the manufacturing process and quality of parts, components, and oils have eliminated the need for the short interval oil change requirement.

The fuel tank gauge shows how much fuel is in the tank, and can be seen without leaving the operator's seat:

• Easy to check the fuel level
• Convenient location

Fuel tank:

• Capacity is 2.4 U.S. gal. (9.08 L).
• Fuel-filler opening is conveniently located under the seat.
  • Filling the tank without spilling is easy.
  • The tethered fuel tank cap is more convenient.
  • The sealed fuel cap helps keep vapors inside the tank.
  • The tractor has a California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine for reduced air pollution.

    42-in. (107-cm) Accel Deep™ (42A) Mower Deck cuts clean and is versatile

    S240 with Accel Deep 42A Mower Deck

     

    S220 with Accel Deep 42A Mower Deck

    The 42-in. (107-cm) Accel Deep Mower Deck is a stamped-steel, deep, flat-top design that delivers excellent cut quality, productivity, cleanliness, durability, and versatility. Optimal performance and dispersion of clippings is provided, even at faster mowing speeds or in tall grass:

  • 4.97-in. (12.6-cm) depth throughout the entire deck shell for optimum mowing, mulching, and bagging performance
    • Optional MulchControl™ system provides superior mulching performance and versatility
  • Stamped-steel design eliminates sharp edges and corners where material can build up and diminish mowing performance
  • Mower deck suspended from the vehicle for a smooth and level cut
    • Adjustable mower wheels, positioned just above ground level, help reduce scalping
  • 0.25-in. (6.4-mm) cut-height increments allow the mower to be set at the desired cut height
  • Compatible with efficient 6.5-bu (229-L) two-bag material collection system

  • EXCELLENT CUT QUALITY

    42A Mower Deck top (shown with optional MulchControl™)

     

    42A Mower Deck underside (shown with optional MulchControl)

    Deep mower-deck stamping gives excellent cut quality. It allows the cut and suspended material room to exit the deck without getting recut:

  • Reducing the amount of recutting enables more power to be used to cut incoming grass, which greatly improves mower capacity.
    • Helps maintain excellent cut quality at faster mowing speeds
  • Clean flow of material out of discharge area prevents cut material from interfering with cutting the incoming grass, making it possible for the blades to cut incoming material cleanly.
  • Even in mulching mode, cut evenness is improved compared to other designs because the additional depth allows for continuous circulation, optimal recutting, and an even distribution of clippings.

  • PRODUCTIVITY - GETS THE JOB DONE FAST

    Deep mower-deck stamping gives high productivity, which gets the job done fast. It allows the cut and suspended material room to exit the deck quickly, reducing the amount of recutting so more power is available to process incoming grass:

  • Greatly improves mowers capacity to maintain excellent mowing performance in difficult mowing conditions and at higher speeds

  • Large discharge opening is both high and wide to handle more material:

  • Gives a smooth, even discharge of clippings at all mowing speeds
  • Reduces the chance of plugging, especially important when operating in wet, thick, or dense grass and when bagging
  • Cut-and-throw chute has a large, optimized inlet which aids in collecting material by using airflow from the large deck opening

  • CLEANLINESS - FOR THE MOWER AND THE OPERATOR

    Accel Deep 42A Mower Deck

    The flat-top shape of the deck stamping is optimal for keeping itself and the operator clean:

  • There are few places to catch and hold material on top and underneath the deck.
    • Top of deck stays cleaner, reducing time and effort needed for cleaning and service
    • Underside of deck is self-cleaning to maintain optimum performance without buildup of material to interfere with the flow of air and clippings
    • Less need to clean and remove buildup of material from underside deck
  • The depth of the Accel Deep mower deck minimizes the amount of material that escapes from the front of the deck
    • Limited amount of material to drift onto the operator and mower deck
    • Even flow of material discharged out the chute, less recutting results in larger pieces that are less likely to end up on the operator
    • Mulching prevents the discharge of material completely and MulchControl makes mulching a practical solution for most mowing situations.

  • Cleaning a mower deck, both top and bottom, is one of the most frequent maintenance activities:

  • The flat-top design reduces places for material to build up and makes material that does collect easy to remove.

Mower wash port

A wash port is provided to make cleaning the underside of the mower deck easy:

• A hose connector is included with mower deck.

StarLock™ blade design

The StarLock blade design keeps the blade bolt at the correct torque for easy removal.

Optional blades for difficult mulching or bagging conditions are available.

Mower deck height adjustment

The spring-assisted, low-effort lift lever simplifies setting and adjusting the mower cut height:

• Increments of 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) allow the operator to fine-tune the cut height.

The optional MulchControl system makes mulching more practical for many mowing situations because it not only does an excellent job of mulching, but it also allows the mower to be easily converted for times when it is more desirable to side discharge or collect the lawn material. Advantages of mulching grass clippings include:

• Creates a beautiful looking lawn
• Smaller grass clippings disappear into the lawn canopy
• Reduces fertilizer needs
• Grass clippings are not blown onto the operator, driveways, or flower beds
• No need to dispose of bags of clippings

HOW MULCHCONTROL WORKS

MulchControl baffle closed (shown on Z300 42A mower deck)

MulchControl baffle open (shown on Z300 42A mower deck)

MulchControl is an innovative, simple design that is easy to use and maintain:

• The MulchControl system includes an adjustable MulchControl baffle near the discharge chute and fixed baffles to control the flow of material under the deck.
• The MulchControl handle is on top of the mower deck and is used to open and close the MulchControl baffle.
• When the MulchControl baffle is open, most of the material flows freely out the discharge deflector or into a material collection system.
• When the MulchControl baffle is closed, material stays within the deck and gets chopped into mulch and deposited in the turf.

MulchControl is well-suited to the following mowing situations:

• For operators who usually mulch, but side discharge when grass gets too long
• For operators who usually side discharge, but would like to close the chute to control clippings in some areas
• For operators who always mulch a main lawn, but often side discharge secondary lawns
• For operators who collect clippings but want to go farther before emptying the material collection system

MulchControl puts the operator in control of the clippings.

MULCHCONTROL LIMITATIONS

While in the side-discharge mode, MulchControl still mulches about one third of the material. Therefore, the side-discharge mode is essentially a partial-mulch mode. This can be an advantage when side discharging or bagging, as it helps to reduce the amount of material being discharged. Other times this could work as a disadvantage:

• When cutting strong southern grasses, such as Zoysia and Bermuda
• When cutting in wet, high-growth conditions, such as those found in the Pacific Northwest United States
• When optimum bagging and lawn cleanup is desired

When bagging with MulchControl on a 48A mower deck, the MulchControl baffle can be opened or closed with the Power Flow™ blower installed. The Power Flow blower runs without material when the baffle is closed.

Rear baffle (A) must be removed for bagging with MulchControl with 42A mower decks

When bagging with MulchControl on a 42A mower deck, the cut-and-throw rear bagger can be used with the MulchControl blades. However, the rear MulchControl baffle (A) needs to be removed to install the bagger chute. The baffle is held in place with two carriage bolts. To return to mulching, the chute needs to be removed and the baffle replaced.

MULCHCONTROL COMPATIBILITY

Each MulchControl system is an optional field-installed attachment and includes everything needed for handle actuation: baffles, handle, and mulch blades.

Optional rear grass bagger

The hopper design provides efficient bagging performance, clean operation, and easy-to-empty bags:

• Two durable bags with a generous, 6.5-bu (229-L) capacity lift out for emptying and are easy to reinstall.
• An efficient lower chute provides smooth flow of material to reduce chance of plugging.
• Standard mower blades can be used for bagging, and high-lift blades are available for very difficult bagging conditions.

Hydro/automatic drive gives an infinite choice of ground speeds

A Kanzaki® Tuff Torq® hydro/automatic transmission gives an infinite choice of speeds and makes changing the direction of travel easy.

Side-by-side foot pedals control the speed and direction of travel:

• The automotive-type accelerator controls ensure easy operation.
• The operator can change direction without lifting foot off the platform.
• A large pedal surface gives superior operator comfort.

Appropriate transmissions are used in each model, depending on rear tire size and tractor performance requirements to ensure excellent performance and reliability:

• The S240 Tractor has a Tuff Torq K46DP transaxle with an internal wet-disk brake for reliability and long life:
  • Rated for 30 percent more torque than the transaxle used in many lawn tractors
  • Uses Hy-Gard™ fluid like Select Series™ X300 Tractors

Easy-to-use cruise control option maintains the tractor's speed for mowing larger areas.

• To engage, lift up on the cruise lever and hold it until foot is removed from the forward pedal.
• To disengage, lightly press and then release the forward pedal.
• For emergency stops, cruise can be released by pushing on the brake pedal or pushing down on the cruise control lever.

Kanzaki and Tuff Torq are trademarks of Kanzaki Kokyukoki Manufacturing Company.

Snow removal is a strength of lawn tractors

An advantage of lawn tractors is their ability to use equipment for snow removal. Lawn tractor owners can add a John Deere snow blower or front blade to make quick work of moving snow whenever the need arises. Weather enclosure and tire-chain attachments add comfort and performance.

Equipment available for snow removal includes:

• 44-in. (112-cm) Snow Blower
• 46-in. (117-cm) Front Blade
• Tire chains or TerraGrip traction belts
• Weather enclosure
• Weights

Full-length, welded-steel frame and cast-iron front axle for reliability

Enhanced styling for the S240 Tractor includes a unique hood top:

• Close-out panels at the lower back of the hood are included for better looks and reduced engine sound level.
• Top louvers improve engine cooling.

The solid one-piece frame is constructed of 12-gauge, 0.105-in. (2.7-mm) steel:

• Full-length robotically welded frame design has high-strength steel rails for added strength and long life.
• One-piece fender deck is bolted to the frame.
• Two-bar front bumper is included as standard equipment to add style and protection.

Cast-iron front axle will not bend

The front axle is constructed of solid cast iron that will not bend:

• Automotive-like steering system with sector-and-pinion steering gears and single drag link and tie rod provides a very strong, low-effort, and tight-turning system.
• Grease fittings allow regular lubrication to help maintain easy steering and minimize wear.
• Large, 0.75-in. (19-mm) diameter wheel spindles provide excellent durability.
  • Front wheels turn on ball bearings for increased reliability and life over other lawn tractors that have bushing for the front wheels.

CargO Mount™ system makes installation of rear bagger and other attachments easy

The CargO Mount system is a combination of front and rear mounting points that provide convenient and easy installation of the rear bagger and other attachments.