2025 John Deere Golf & Sports Turf W48R 

• 48-inch (122-cm) floating mower deck
• Powerful 19 hp (14.2 kW) V-twin engine
• Self-propelled hydrostatic drive system
• Easy-to-use controls for operator comfort and convenience

Features May Include: 

• V-twin engine delivers smooth operation and plenty of power

Powered by an air-cooled, vertical-shaft engine:

• 15.5 hp (11.6 kW) FX481V - W36R 
• 19.0 hp (14.2 kW) FX600V - W48R, W52R
• 23.5 hp (17.5 kW) FX730V - W61R
• 36.8 cu in. (603 cc) - W36R, W48R, W52R
• 44.3 cu in. (726 cc) - W61R
• Electric start with a large 300 cold-cranking amp (CCA) battery for fast, convenient starts
• V-twin design for smooth operation and fast starts

               Consistently strong torque at low- or high-speed operation

• Aluminum engine block with cast-iron cylinder liners

               Effectively dissipates heat

• Lightweight and strong construction
• Overhead valve design
• More horsepower and torque per cubic inch of displacement
• • Better fuel efficiency
  • Less oil consumption
  • Cooler operating temperature
• 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

• Heavy-duty canister air cleaner for extended engine life and efficient operation
• Single-element air filter (W36R, W48R, W51R) or dual-element air filter (W61R)
•  Rotating grass chopper screen
• Cylinder-head cooling-fin cleanout ports to ease maintenance
•  Complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards

Large, 5.4-gal. (20.4-L) top draw fuel tank is easy to fill with large filler opening in an easy-to-reach location.

• Fuel pump for dependable, consistent operation
• Top-draw system to reduce the chance for fuel leakage
• A replaceable in-line fuel filter for trouble-free operation

A powerful, 300-CCA battery is secured and protected from damage in an easy-to-access location.

• A fabricated floating mower deck delivers high-quality cut

John Deere commercial mower decks have always demonstrated quality, performance, and durability. Each commercial walk-behind mower is equipped with a high-quality fabricated mower deck:

• 10-gauge, 0.135-in. (3.42-mm) fabricated steel deck top with added 10-gauge, 0.135-in. (3.42-mm) spindle mounting plate
• 7-gauge, 0.19-in. (4.8-mm) side skirts with reinforcement bar

The fabricated, floating mower deck delivers an extremely high-quality cut in diverse conditions:

• Floating suspension enables the best possible cut.
• Reinforced front and side lower edge provides strength and durability.
• Anti-scalp wheels are double-captured for durability and adjustable to three positions to suit the cut height.
• Deep-deck design for superior capacity.
• Side and center anti-scalp wheels promote a smooth mowing job.

• Hardened, high-lift steel blades extend cutting time and increase durability.
• High blade-tip speed of approximately 18,000 fpm (5,486 m/min).
• R Series mower decks include a center rear wheel for additional anti-scalp and curb climbing protection.
  • Adjustable to three height positions to suit the cut height

A high-quality polyethylene deflector gives an excellent finished appearance:              

• Wide, formed discharge deflector gives even clipping distribution.
• Large discharge deflector evenly disperses expelled clippings.  

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 close to the mower deck to reduce vehicle footprint and turning radius.
  • With the wheels less exposed, there is less chance they will get snagged by immovable obstacles, thus improving maneuverability and reducing chance of damage.

A floating mower deck has several advantages over a fixed mower deck design:

• Follows ground contour more effectively for a more even cut
• Travels smoothly above the ground with minimal chance of scalping
• Easier to adjust the cutting height

Mower cutting height can be set from 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) to 4.5 in. (11.4 cm) in 0.5-in. (1.3-cm) increments:

• The free-floating deck gives a smoother, more level cut.
• Height-of-cut changes can be made without tools.
• Large handles are provided to facilitate lifting the mower deck for setting the cut height.
• Cut-height adjustment pins have 90-degree bend for easy removal and reinstallation.

Mower deck shields are easily removed with hand knobs for access to the drive belt and other service points:

• Easy-attach belt shields allow quick access for service.
• Four hand knobs allow removal of both mower shields.
• Greaseable spindles with easy, top access for simplified servicing.
• Spindle grease fittings can be greased with shields in place.

The grass catcher is designed to work with 36-in. (91-cm), 48-in. (122-cm), and 52-in. (132-cm) Mower Decks on John Deere Commercial Walk-Behind Mowers:

• Large, 4.4-cu ft (3.5-bu) capacity allows for less stops to empty catcher.
• No mower faceplate is needed. The catcher connects directly to standard mower deck features.
• Stainless steel and aluminum construction is both durable for long life and lightweight for easy handing.
• Convenient sliding door latch enables easy emptying.
• Two large grab handles allows for easy handling.
• Catcher weighs about 30 lb (13.6 kg) empty.

• Optional mulching attachment for extra convenience

An optional mulching attachment and special mulching blades are available:

• The high-performance mulching attachment includes formed steel baffles to control the material for superior performance.
• Special mulching blades can also be used when side discharging, though overall cutting performance may be slightly less than with the standard blades.
• The mulching attachment allows for conversion of the mower deck so it can be used to perform the mulching function (grass or leaves).

Operating tips when mulching:

• Mow when grass is dry.
• Observe the one-third rule.
  • No more than one-third of the grass blade should be cut off at one time. This allows more efficient mulching and will promote the continued good health of the grass.
  • If the desired cut height cannot be achieved by cutting off one-third, or there is clumping of the clippings, it may be required to cut higher, wait a day, then lower the mower and make a second pass.
• Mow at proper intervals, approximately every four to five days.
• Always mow with sharp blades.
• Adjust ground speed to allow the mower deck to process the clippings effectively.

• Convenient controls for operator comfort and productivity

All of the controls are located within comfortable reach of the operator. Simplified operation of each control offers superior convenience, productivity, and safety:

• Color-coded and clearly marked levers, switches, and buttons enable simplified operation.
• Bilingual decals in English and Spanish are provided.
• The operator presence system requires that one of the bails must be depressed to operate the unit; the machine must be in neutral and the power take-off (PTO) must be disengaged to start.
  • Operator presence control levers are recessed into control handle when engaged, provides a smooth contour and comfortable handle to hold during operation.
• Separate choke and throttle – This takes the guesswork out of choke operation, with less chance of fowling the spark plugs.
• Electric PTO clutch on the engine powers the mower deck. The PTO switch on the dash is easy to see and use.

• Speed and steering controls are designed for ease of operation.
• Ergonomically designed control configuration on all units gives good operator comfort and leverage while driving.
• A speed-control lever is conveniently located in the center of the console and used to set maximum desired speed.

• Low actuation force is required for operator comfort.
• The neutral lock is spring-loaded for easy release.

A convenient and easy-to-operate switch is located on the console to operate the electric clutch, which powers the mower deck.

W36M and W48M parking brake control lever:

• Color coded and located above the console, within easy reach of the operator
• Actuates internal braking mechanism of the transmissions

W36R, W48R, W52R, and W61R parking brake control lever:

• Color coded and located above the console, within easy reach of the operator
• Actuates arm that creates a mechanical locking interference on both drive tires
• Brake pawl located near top of tire to eliminate contact with curbs