In 2020, I posted a review of my then new John Deere E120 Lawn Tractor.
It has now been three years and I thought I would do an update.
After three seasons the lawn tractor is still running great. In addition to mowing, I use it to pull an aerator and de-thatcher and the 22 HP Briggs & Stratton have not had any problems pulling either along with my husky frame.
I purchased a second set of blades to run on while the others are being sharpened. Yes, I could have just removed, sharpened and reinstalled the original ones but with a second set, I am not rushed and can alternate blade sets between seasons.
One of the things to look out for is when you are blowing grass clippings of the deck. Be sure to lower the deck to the bottom most setting. Somehow grass gets under the spindle covers and if you do not lower the deck all the way, that grass does not get blown out and accumulates.
I continue to run strictly ethanol-free fuel which I think contributes to the reliability of the engine. At the end of each season, I give the mower a thorough cleaning before storing it. The engine and under deck are washed, the upper body and panels are washed and waxed and the seat gets a coat of marine grade vinyl protectant. (The protectant is also applied few times during the season). The battery is removed and put on maintainer until the next season.
The only issue I have had is with the so called "30-second oil change". According to the owners manual, this $50 oil filter is to be changed "Yearly or Every 50 Hours (Whichever Comes First)".
I am not sure what JD's objective was with the system. I have read statements whereby they claim the system was implemented because many owners find oil changes too challenging and messy and therefore do not do them. I do not see how changing only half a quart of oil in a $50 dollar oil filter solves this.
I am of the opinion that if you invest $2000+ on a lawn tractor and are to lazy and/or to cheap to keep up with relatively simple maintenance, you deserve whatever befalls you.
Despite John Deere's claim that this system still passes all stringent testing, I have had my concerns. These small engines run at high revolutions and get really hot. I could not see how changing about 1/2 quart of oil each year offsets the 1.5 quarts of used oil still in the crankcase. This fact has also been questioned by many small engine mechanics in online articles and YouTube videos.
This year I made the decision to switch the engine back to the conventional oil change system. Not only can I get a conventional filter and 2 quarts of oil for half the price of the 30-second one, I am assured the engine is being better lubricated with fresh oil each season.
The conversion is fairly simple and the kit is available online for about $25 and includes;
Oil Filter (AM125424) Drain Tube (AM131611) Adapter Fitting (MIU13767)
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If are considering the conversion, in addition to the parts, you will need:
8mm socket with 3" extension or nut driver to remove the side plastic covers
14mm socket to remove the existing drain plug.
15/16" socket to tighten the drain tube.
1 1/8 socket (or adjustable wrench) to remove the JD filter adaptor.
12mm hex to tighten the adapter fitting. (A 3/8" socket extension can be substituted)
Plumbing Teflon tape for the drain tube.
Threadlocker Red 271 for the adapter fitting
Drain pan small enough to fit under the engine.
I also suggest also putting down some plastic in case of spillage.
Plenty of shop towels.
Brake clean
Hand siphon pump (optional)
Installation was relatively simple. There are a number of detailed videos online that will take you through the process. To reduce spillage, I opted to siphon as much oil as possible out of the crankcase using a Pennzoil Multi-Use siphon pump. The brake clean I use for cleaning up the little oil that inevitably does spill.
Despite changing the filter per the owner's manual, the 1.5 quarts of oil that I removed from the crankcase was almost black which gave credence to my concerns about the inadequacy of the 30-second system.
The fact that JD offers a retro-conversion kit makes me wonder how much faith they have in their 30-second oil change. After all, if engine functionality, reliability and longevity are as good as with the conventional system as they claim, why offer the retro-conversion at all?
In summary, apart from the JD oil filter system, I am still pleased with the lawn tractor. My neighbor has a 13-year-old LA115 on which the mower deck has rusted through among other issues. He has been so impressed with my mower that he is giving serious consideration to replacing it with one like it.
I hope this was helpfull.
It has now been three years and I thought I would do an update.
After three seasons the lawn tractor is still running great. In addition to mowing, I use it to pull an aerator and de-thatcher and the 22 HP Briggs & Stratton have not had any problems pulling either along with my husky frame.
I purchased a second set of blades to run on while the others are being sharpened. Yes, I could have just removed, sharpened and reinstalled the original ones but with a second set, I am not rushed and can alternate blade sets between seasons.
One of the things to look out for is when you are blowing grass clippings of the deck. Be sure to lower the deck to the bottom most setting. Somehow grass gets under the spindle covers and if you do not lower the deck all the way, that grass does not get blown out and accumulates.
I continue to run strictly ethanol-free fuel which I think contributes to the reliability of the engine. At the end of each season, I give the mower a thorough cleaning before storing it. The engine and under deck are washed, the upper body and panels are washed and waxed and the seat gets a coat of marine grade vinyl protectant. (The protectant is also applied few times during the season). The battery is removed and put on maintainer until the next season.
The only issue I have had is with the so called "30-second oil change". According to the owners manual, this $50 oil filter is to be changed "Yearly or Every 50 Hours (Whichever Comes First)".
I am not sure what JD's objective was with the system. I have read statements whereby they claim the system was implemented because many owners find oil changes too challenging and messy and therefore do not do them. I do not see how changing only half a quart of oil in a $50 dollar oil filter solves this.
I am of the opinion that if you invest $2000+ on a lawn tractor and are to lazy and/or to cheap to keep up with relatively simple maintenance, you deserve whatever befalls you.
Despite John Deere's claim that this system still passes all stringent testing, I have had my concerns. These small engines run at high revolutions and get really hot. I could not see how changing about 1/2 quart of oil each year offsets the 1.5 quarts of used oil still in the crankcase. This fact has also been questioned by many small engine mechanics in online articles and YouTube videos.
This year I made the decision to switch the engine back to the conventional oil change system. Not only can I get a conventional filter and 2 quarts of oil for half the price of the 30-second one, I am assured the engine is being better lubricated with fresh oil each season.
The conversion is fairly simple and the kit is available online for about $25 and includes;
Oil Filter (AM125424) Drain Tube (AM131611) Adapter Fitting (MIU13767)
If are considering the conversion, in addition to the parts, you will need:
8mm socket with 3" extension or nut driver to remove the side plastic covers
14mm socket to remove the existing drain plug.
15/16" socket to tighten the drain tube.
1 1/8 socket (or adjustable wrench) to remove the JD filter adaptor.
12mm hex to tighten the adapter fitting. (A 3/8" socket extension can be substituted)
Plumbing Teflon tape for the drain tube.
Threadlocker Red 271 for the adapter fitting
Drain pan small enough to fit under the engine.
I also suggest also putting down some plastic in case of spillage.
Plenty of shop towels.
Brake clean
Hand siphon pump (optional)
Installation was relatively simple. There are a number of detailed videos online that will take you through the process. To reduce spillage, I opted to siphon as much oil as possible out of the crankcase using a Pennzoil Multi-Use siphon pump. The brake clean I use for cleaning up the little oil that inevitably does spill.
Despite changing the filter per the owner's manual, the 1.5 quarts of oil that I removed from the crankcase was almost black which gave credence to my concerns about the inadequacy of the 30-second system.
The fact that JD offers a retro-conversion kit makes me wonder how much faith they have in their 30-second oil change. After all, if engine functionality, reliability and longevity are as good as with the conventional system as they claim, why offer the retro-conversion at all?
In summary, apart from the JD oil filter system, I am still pleased with the lawn tractor. My neighbor has a 13-year-old LA115 on which the mower deck has rusted through among other issues. He has been so impressed with my mower that he is giving serious consideration to replacing it with one like it.
I hope this was helpfull.
