Man was that helpful. I got my first lawn tractor in July. I've been learning as much as I can with these RUclips videos. I sure wish the John Deere Dealerships had classes on maintenance.
For anyone having difficulty getting grease into the front axle center pivot, you might try lifting the tractor frame and letting the axle hang. This procedure really helps me get grease into my old 345.
Jim, that’s great the 45 probably gives you better access too. I suspect that it’s not because it’s a 45 that you are having better luck. Maybe your 45 has shorter threaded male section; therefore clearing a blockage? I’ll replace my fitting and hope I can eliminate the need to lift mine. Thanks for your comment!!!
On the first maintenance the pully spindle needs about 40 pumps (depending on the gun) to fill the void and overcome the bearings seal. If you don't fill the void you are wasting grease.
I have a D140 purchased in 2011. Still going strong, I think these are good machines. I took those black deck covers off a long time ago. All they do is trap grass and debris.
They're belt guides, keeping the belt in place should the belt slack off a bit. They also double as a safety feature in case a little kid gets too curious and wants to touch the happy spinning wheel.
I have the E180 purchased in 2019 with 54” deck. My question is when greasing my top has three grease points and some underneath. How do you recommend getting underneath?
Thanks! I have an S130 I bought last year. I did the maintenance kit this year. I tried greasing everything but could only get the wheels. Going to go at it again tomorrow and get the deck. Wasn't sure how to get at the grease points on it.
Why not just use a leaf blower to get all the grass and leaves out from under those covers each time? I clean mine after each mowing with both my leaf blower and pressure washer (all over not just the spindle covers). It's a little over kill but I want to keep grass and junk from building up under the deck and such. I've seen how much it can really clog things up without taking the time to keep it clean. Oh, and great idea about driving it up on car ramps to make it easier to "find" the grease fittings! Did you know there are fittings on the inside of the front wheels? Take a look and you'll see them there wanting their fair share of grease too.
note, each time you wash your mower or drive in the rain too often, water will get under the plastic foot mat. the water will also go through the holes below them by which the mats attach, and rust the underside.
I have an old LA100 that didn't have the nifty holes in the cover (only has one cover). So, I cut a nice wide hole in the only cover it has and use, as you do, a leaf blower to blow out crud. Also, I wipe the grease fitting off after each lube, preventing more crud getting caught up in the grease.
I couldn't find any either, so what I would do is take the wheels off the axle and apply grease to the front axles as well in the wheel between the 2 bearings to help (I believe the are sealed bearings) however this will certainly be better then nothing. I will be doing this partially thru the mowing season and before I put it away.
Just a heads up, the little cut outs in the base of the plastic covers on the deck are there to be able to reach in with the grease tip on your gun and get on the Zerk fitting, without having to remove the covers...
Good tip Charles. Just scoop out the grass clippings and you should be able to get the grease gun on the fitting. It does make it easier to unbolt the cover tho.
May want to include a video on lubing the center spindle on this E180 lawn mower. It’s a real challenge to get that one. Very bad spot thanks to John Deere. Let me know if you can figure this one out.
Hi, good video! So I just get a 120 model and is showing the service warning, according to the manual is time for the 8 hours service, after greasing the components, will the warning go away by itself? Thanks for any help.
The service light should go off between 9 and 10 hrs showing on the hour meter. So once you do the service the warning will only stay on for 1 to 2 hrs on the meter then will reset.
@@PovertyPointCustoms The info for my X304 state to use: John Deere Multi-Purpose SD Polyurea Grease John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease If not using any of the preferred greases, be sure to use a general all-purpose grease with an NLGI grade No.2 rating. Wet or high speed conditions may require use of a special-use grease. Contact your Servicing dealer for information. Hope that helps.
I do the same. Blow everything off good with a leaf blower after every mow. Didn’t know about the grease points under the black deck covers, so thanks. Have a e120
It is a standard grease gun tip that you would use on a truck, I use a multi purpose grease and I believe it is lithium based. However any standard grease that you would get from an automotive store would be fine. I get mine from princess auto and it's usually around $5 a tube.
My x304 states: John Deere Multi-Purpose SD Polyurea Grease John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease If not using any of the preferred greases, be sure to use a general all-purpose grease with an NLGI grade No.2 rating. Wet or high speed conditions may require use of a special-use grease. Contact your Servicing dealer for information.
I'm betting you didn't actually get any grease into the blade spindles. Too much of an angle. fwiw, I leave the plastic pully guards off. Had a D-140 / 48" deck and ran it this way for 13 years. No problem, and being able to blow the debries away from the spindles keeps that stuff from accumulating moisture and rusting the deck in that area.
@@ninemilliondollars What? I know it's a safety issue, but the covers are to prevent someone stupid from sticking their hands in over the covers while the belt is moving, as if one is in the seat and the other is doing something crazy with the deck.
@@GetRealBaby What's your point? Stupid things happen all the time, even to intelligent people. THAT'S why the covers are there. Do whatever you want, but it's still a safety issue to many others.
@@ninemilliondollars Did you read my post?: "I know it's a safety issue..." My point had more to do with the way most people learn the hard way why the covers are there, and I should have ask you how someone could be thrown forward and caught in the spindles. Do you have evidence of someone getting caught in the spindles after being "thrown forward"?
@@GetRealBaby Hey, how about you, do you have evidence of no one ever being caught in the spindles? I love you Socratic method of asking questions to everything that's posted in order to disparage what they state. Otherwise, you are entitled to your opinion and that's all. As far as has someone being thrown forward, yes, our org has evidence because an inexperienced person drove our John Deere into a low overhang and cracked the hood into several pieces. We don't know if the didn't get hurt by the spindles because we have covers on them. I hope this satisfies you.
Absolutely no need to grease the two center blade spindles as the bearings installed in the casing are sealed . All you are doing here is filling the hollow tube that holds the two sealed bearings.
Авто/Мото
watched aout 2 other videos before this one and you blew them outta the water. They talked while you showed what to do. great job, gave a thumbs up!
Thanks! Have alot of maintenance videos that I did on it a few months ago.
Man was that helpful. I got my first lawn tractor in July. I've been learning as much as I can with these RUclips videos. I sure wish the John Deere Dealerships had classes on maintenance.
Thanks!
For anyone having difficulty getting grease into the front axle center pivot, you might try lifting the tractor frame and letting the axle hang. This procedure really helps me get grease into my old 345.
Great tip
Do you use a floor jack for that?
Terry, I use a floor jack, a small one, with a small block of wood between jack and front of the frame. Just enough to get tires off the floor.
I changed my straight grease fitting with a 45 degree fitting on the front axle.
Works sooooo much easier now! Just like it was meant to.
😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃👍👍
Jim, that’s great the 45 probably gives you better access too.
I suspect that it’s not because it’s a 45 that you are having better luck. Maybe your 45 has shorter threaded male section; therefore clearing a blockage?
I’ll replace my fitting and hope I can eliminate the need to lift mine. Thanks for your comment!!!
My S140 has grease fittings on the front wheels too.
You forgot about to grease the center blade grease zerk, middle blade has one on top also
Great tutorial! My e140 is due for its yearly and i was sweating the lubing. Thanks for this!
Your very welcome
Me too…you made my day by making it sooo easy….now I can I impress my client!
On the first maintenance the pully spindle needs about 40 pumps (depending on the gun) to fill the void and overcome the bearings seal. If you don't fill the void you are wasting grease.
Great tip
Finally somebody who knows how to make a video!
Thanks!
Thank you, made it look easy
Very good info, will help me complete
Thanks!
Nice job! I just serviced my S170 and there are three spindles to grease. The center one is easy to reach from the front of the mower. G'day stew
Thanks!
I have a D140 purchased in 2011. Still going strong, I think these are good machines. I took those black deck covers off a long time ago. All they do is trap grass and debris.
I agree I'm cleaning mine out all the time.
They are for guiding the belt
They're belt guides, keeping the belt in place should the belt slack off a bit. They also double as a safety feature in case a little kid gets too curious and wants to touch the happy spinning wheel.
I have the E180 purchased in 2019 with 54” deck. My question is when greasing my top has three grease points and some underneath. How do you recommend getting underneath?
Thanks! I have an S130 I bought last year. I did the maintenance kit this year. I tried greasing everything but could only get the wheels. Going to go at it again tomorrow and get the deck. Wasn't sure how to get at the grease points on it.
Glad it helped
Wow this helps! I have an e120 23 hours on it and the service light pops up... did yours do the same?
Why not just use a leaf blower to get all the grass and leaves out from under those covers each time? I clean mine after each mowing with both my leaf blower and pressure washer (all over not just the spindle covers). It's a little over kill but I want to keep grass and junk from building up under the deck and such. I've seen how much it can really clog things up without taking the time to keep it clean.
Oh, and great idea about driving it up on car ramps to make it easier to "find" the grease fittings! Did you know there are fittings on the inside of the front wheels? Take a look and you'll see them there wanting their fair share of grease too.
note, each time you wash your mower or drive in the rain too often, water will get under the plastic foot mat. the water will also go through the holes below them by which the mats attach, and rust the underside.
I have an old LA100 that didn't have the nifty holes in the cover (only has one cover). So, I cut a nice wide hole in the only cover it has and use, as you do, a leaf blower to blow out crud. Also, I wipe the grease fitting off after each lube, preventing more crud getting caught up in the grease.
Don't forget the third deck spindle grease fitting on the center spindle
There is a third spindle on the deck to grease
The manual says there is a grease fitting on the front wheel hubs but I do t see it on e180. What you think to do?
I couldn't find any either, so what I would do is take the wheels off the axle and apply grease to the front axles as well in the wheel between the 2 bearings to help (I believe the are sealed bearings) however this will certainly be better then nothing. I will be doing this partially thru the mowing season and before I put it away.
Just a heads up, the little cut outs in the base of the plastic covers on the deck are there to be able to reach in with the grease tip on your gun and get on the Zerk fitting, without having to remove the covers...
Good tip Charles. Just scoop out the grass clippings and you should be able to get the grease gun on the fitting. It does make it easier to unbolt the cover tho.
If you have a straight shaft cheap grease gun like I bought, you will have to take deck off smh
I use a shop vac to remove the leaves and grass around the spindles.
Great idea, they can be a bugger to get out of those areas!
You forgot the ones on the front wheel hub also, will be a good idea to clean your mess, it won't hurt.
May want to include a video on lubing the center spindle on this E180 lawn mower. It’s a real challenge to get that one. Very bad spot thanks to John Deere. Let me know if you can figure this one out.
Will do
Hi, good video! So I just get a 120 model and is showing the service warning, according to the manual is time for the 8 hours service, after greasing the components, will the warning go away by itself? Thanks for any help.
The service light should go off between 9 and 10 hrs showing on the hour meter. So once you do the service the warning will only stay on for 1 to 2 hrs on the meter then will reset.
Can you use the same all purpose grease used on grease fittings for cars? I see john deere has its own branded grease.. Wondering if it matters.
Yes you can!
@@PovertyPointCustoms The info for my X304 state to use:
John Deere Multi-Purpose SD Polyurea Grease
John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease
If not using any of the preferred greases, be sure to use a general all-purpose grease with an NLGI grade No.2 rating.
Wet or high speed conditions may require use of a special-use grease. Contact your Servicing dealer for information.
Hope that helps.
I do the same. Blow everything off good with a leaf blower after every mow. Didn’t know about the grease points under the black deck covers, so thanks. Have a e120
What about the center spindle?
How is it holding up? I'm getting the E170 this month. Time for an update video 😉
It is working great so far, no issues at all. I'll do an updated video in the next few days
Is there a place to grease the middle blade spindle? Also I have e180 and does yours go 5.5 mph with the blades engaged? Mine will only go 3.8 mph.
Mine will be out of winter storage in a few weeks and I'll let you know
Thank you
Your welcome
You missed two on the insides of the front wheels themselves friend.
Thanks
Your very welcome
Why are you taking the covers off? There is an opening in the cover right where the grease fitting is located on each side.
More room and easier to show the fittings on video
If you have tree blades you have another grease fitting on blade in middle
I added that in the comments (for some reason when I edited the video it didn't save as a point during the video).
Thanks. Any special tip needed for the grease gun? Any special type of grease?
It is a standard grease gun tip that you would use on a truck, I use a multi purpose grease and I believe it is lithium based. However any standard grease that you would get from an automotive store would be fine. I get mine from princess auto and it's usually around $5 a tube.
I don't believe the grease actually gets in there with standard straight grease tip. Too much of an angle.
My x304 states:
John Deere Multi-Purpose SD Polyurea Grease
John Deere Multi-Purpose HD Lithium Complex Grease
If not using any of the preferred greases, be sure to use a general all-purpose grease with an NLGI grade No.2 rating.
Wet or high speed conditions may require use of a special-use grease. Contact your Servicing dealer for information.
I have one on each front wheel.
My old one did also, surprisingly this doesnt
The spindles are sealed bearings
You missed the center spindle lube point. This is the hardest point to lube.
3 blade deck??? Don’t forget the center spindle hub
Is the turbo fuelled by meth?
Lol
Please don’t forget about the ladies that have to do this there’re self so pointing is good so we know what you mean
True :) 👉
Clean off the excess grease your leaving all over the place.
Done :)
I'm betting you didn't actually get any grease into the blade spindles. Too much of an angle. fwiw, I leave the plastic pully guards off. Had a D-140 / 48" deck and ran it this way for 13 years. No problem, and being able to blow the debries away from the spindles keeps that stuff from accumulating moisture and rusting the deck in that area.
Doesn't that create a safety issue? If someone were to hit an obstacle and be thrown forward they could be caught in the spindles. Just wondering.
@@ninemilliondollars What? I know it's a safety issue, but the covers are to prevent someone stupid from sticking their hands in over the covers while the belt is moving, as if one is in the seat and the other is doing something crazy with the deck.
@@GetRealBaby What's your point? Stupid things happen all the time, even to intelligent people. THAT'S why the covers are there. Do whatever you want, but it's still a safety issue to many others.
@@ninemilliondollars Did you read my post?: "I know it's a safety issue..." My point had more to do with the way most people learn the hard way why the covers are there, and I should have ask you how someone could be thrown forward and caught in the spindles. Do you have evidence of someone getting caught in the spindles after being "thrown forward"?
@@GetRealBaby Hey, how about you, do you have evidence of no one ever being caught in the spindles? I love you Socratic method of asking questions to everything that's posted in order to disparage what they state. Otherwise, you are entitled to your opinion and that's all. As far as has someone being thrown forward, yes, our org has evidence because an inexperienced person drove our John Deere into a low overhang and cracked the hood into several pieces. We don't know if the didn't get hurt by the spindles because we have covers on them. I hope this satisfies you.
Absolutely no need to grease the two center blade spindles as the bearings installed in the casing are sealed . All you are doing here is filling the hollow tube that holds the two sealed bearings.