How to Install a Rear Bumper onto a John Deere Z735M Zero-Turn Mower

Part Number: BUC10925

Ever backed into something while running your mower? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. Keep your mower safe from accidental mishaps by installing protective attachments like the John Deere Rear Bumper.

In this article, we’ll tell you how easy these bumpers are to install on your Z735M zero-turn mower and where you can snag one today.
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Mower Prep

Prior to installing the rear bumper, you will need to first remove the tow hitch. This is located on the bottom portion of the rear end of the mower, below the portion housing the engine, as shown. Note that if you are working on a different model, there may not be a tow hitch to remove. Brent is working on a Z735M for the purposes of this article.

Once you have located the tow hitch, use an impact and 13-mm socket to loosen and remove the nuts and bolts securing the tow hitch to the frame.

Next, find the two bolts located at the bottom right of the mower frame, just behind the rear tire, as shown. There are four bolts in total, two on either side of the machine in the same location. Remove all four bolts using a 13-mm socket and impact driver along with a wrench to hold the back nut in place during removal.Repeat on both sides and set the hardware aside for later use.

Installation

The hardware used for install will consist of the four nuts and bolts previously removed from the mower frame as well as the four carriage head bolts and lock nuts included in the rear bumper kit. The carriage head bolts (bolts with a round, circular head) will be used to secure the upper bar of the bumper on each side.

To begin install, position the bumper so the open end is facing the rear of the mower and the longer bar is on top, as shown. Slide the bumper onto the frame until the holes on the sides align with the holes on the bumper bars.

Once everything is aligned, thread the carriage head bolts through the holes on the upper bar and mower frame just under the fender on each side.

You can then begin placing the previously removed bolts at the bottom on each side just behind the tires. Follow that by placing the nuts on the back of those bolts and the lock nuts on the back of the carriage bolts. Use your 13-mm wrench, socket, and impact driver to tighten and secure the hardware to the frame.

If you decide after installation that you still want the tow hitch on your mower, simply secure it to the front of your new bumper using the two pre-drilled holes at the front of the bumper, as shown.

And that’s it! You have now successfully installed a Rear Bumper onto a John Deere Z735M Zero-Turn Mower! If you have questions about any of the steps outlined above or are just more of a visual learner, head over to our YouTube channel and watch our step-by-step video (also attached below)! Leave a comment or question and receive a personal reply from Brent, our resident John Deere expert. Be sure to subscribe!