John Deere Bumper Attachment: When You Need It for Your Cyclone Rake

When connecting your Cyclone Rake to certain John Deere zero turn models, you may need a specific bumper attachment manufactured by John Deere. This article will help you understand which models require this component and why it's important.

Which John Deere Models Need the Bumper Attachment?

Not all John Deere zero turns require this additional attachment. The requirement depends on the specific model and year of your John Deere equipment:

• Many newer John Deere zero turns come with a suitable rear plate or mounting area

• Select models, particularly newer versions, require the additional bumper attachment

• Some zero-turn John Deere models have different mounting requirements

If you've purchased a Cyclone Rake to use with your John Deere mower, our customer service team will let you know if your specific model requires this attachment after reviewing your order information.

What is the Bumper Attachment?

For models that do require it, the John Deere bumper attachment is a metal bracket that mounts to the rear of your John Deere mower. It serves several important functions:

• Creates a sturdy mounting platform for your Cyclone Rake hitch

• Provides the necessary attachment points for our dual-pin system

• Ensures a secure connection between your mower and the Cyclone Rake

How the Hitch Connects

Once the bumper attachment is properly installed on your John Deere mower (if required), our dual-pin hitch can be securely mounted to it. The hitch connects at two points on the bumper attachment, creating the rigid mount that prevents jackknifing and ensures optimal performance.

Below in figure 1 you will see the bumper attachment we are referring to. In figure 2, you will see how our hitch attaches.

Obtaining the Bumper Attachment

If your John Deere mower model requires this bumper attachment and doesn't already have it installed, you'll need to purchase it separately. This part is manufactured by John Deere and can be obtained through:

• Your local John Deere dealer

• John Deere's online parts store

• Authorized John Deere parts retailers

The bumper attachment is not included with your Cyclone Rake purchase as it's a John Deere-specific component.

Important Safety Note: Exhaust Direction

When setting up your Cyclone Rake with any mower, including John Deere models, always check where the engine exhaust is directed. If the exhaust blows directly toward the Cyclone Rake's deck hose, you must redirect it.

Hot exhaust combined with the vacuum pressure created when the Cyclone Rake is operating can cause the hose to heat up, soften, and collapse on itself. This can damage your equipment and impact performance.

If your mower's exhaust points toward the hose, consider:

• Installing an exhaust deflector (available from most mower manufacturers)

• Repositioning the hose route if possible

• Adding heat-resistant shielding between the exhaust and the hose