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Now that I've had my new X500 for a week

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jbmaine

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a couple of questions maybe some one can help me with.

I got some seat time today to bag this weeks crop of leaves and when I started it, I let it run 15 sec or so, set the throttle around 1/2, and engaged the mower+ power flow. The engine died.
Started it again at full throttle, engaged the mower+power flow. The engine died again.

I had to start the engine and let it warm up for a good two minutes until engaging the mower + power flow before it would keep running.

Everything ran well after that, but I did notice that every time I engaged the mower+power flow ( like after dumping a pile of leaves) the engine speed would drop alot ( for a sec or so) until everything got up to speed.

Is this normal? the tractor is stored outside and the temp today was around 45 degrees.

Also I'll be doing the 8hr oil change soon and was wondering, is there something in the JD brand oil that makes it better for the engine, or will any brand do?

What type/ kind/brand of engine oil do you put in your tractors.

Thanks for the help
Jim
 
#2 ·
my honda lawn tractor has a honda engine, which IMO, is as good as a lawn tractor or garden tractor engine gets.. exception being my onan. it needs to run at choke for a minute and warm up 2 mins or so before i engage the deck. cold, new engine, i should think its normal
 
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#3 ·
At that temp it shouldnt have that much problem,unless the temp at night droped below what u said.Its still not evan broke in yet so more hrs might help.If it gets worse or keeps doing after awhile id talk to ur dealer.
As for oil goes,well everyone has there opion.Just keep the weight of the oil the same as your manual states.The way id goes is like this,at the 25hr mark id change oil again with new filter and go to a full synthetic.It really does make a diff with wear inside and added bonus easier starts in cold weath.If a motor is new and has full synthetic in it the rings will take longer to seat properly.wich will lack power some till they seat and use a little oil till they do.
Again this is just my opion.
steve
 
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#4 ·
Hello jbmaine

I have a X540 and it does the same as you explain, i haf to worm it up on half trottle for a couple off minutes, orelse it will die.
But this is only when i have the power flow installed.
The X540 have done this since new, and i have now 116 hours on it now.
 
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#5 ·
Let it warm up for a minute or two before engaging the PTO. What did your manual say? On the 2 Kawasaki engines I had they PTO needed to be engaged at minimum 3/4 throttle. slkpk
 
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#6 ·
Using Mower Engagement Lever
NOTE: Mower engagement operation will stop if reverse pedal is depressed. Understand the Reverse Implement Option (RIO) system before operating the mower.

1. Start the engine. If necessary, allow engine to warm up before operating mower.

NOTE: Always operate at maximum throttle speed when mower is engaged.

2. Move throttle lever to fast position.

3. Move mower engagement lever to desired position:

• Engage mower - Lift up on mower engagement lever to “l” position.

• Disengage mower - Push down on mower engagement lever to “O” position.

This is what the manual say....:fing32:
 
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#7 ·
It will handle engaging the PTO better after some more run time for a couple reasons:

- everything will loosen up a bit (bearings in deck, PF, etc)

- the engine will break-in, meaning the piston rings will seat (wear-fit) to the cylinders and will seal better. This will equal more power and torque. A brand new engine will not produce it's max power right out the box.

All of this might take a season to really see. Since you are loading the engine it pretty good picking up the leaves, that should speed the break-in process (which is a good thing). The best thing you can do on a new engine is work the snot out of it!

Use JD oil until 50 hours, then change to 10w-30 sythetic after that. Syn lowers the oil temp quite a bit over regular oil.
 
#8 ·
Engine_Tech said:
It will handle engaging the PTO better after some more run time for a couple reasons:

- everything will loosen up a bit (bearings in deck, PF, etc)

- the engine will break-in, meaning the piston rings will seat (wear-fit) to the cylinders and will seal better. This will equal more power and torque. A brand new engine will not produce it's max power right out the box.

All of this might take a season to really see. Since you are loading the engine it pretty good picking up the leaves, that should speed the break-in process (which is a good thing). The best thing you can do on a new engine is work the snot out of it!

Use JD oil until 50 hours, then change to 10w-30 sythetic after that. Syn lowers the oil temp quite a bit over regular oil.
Click to expand...
ALL :ditto:'S
Even my LX279 wanted full throttle to engage the mower even after 10 year. I believe they know what they need!!
 
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#10 ·
That sounds normal to me. Big fall clean up day for me with my GT225 and 15HP Kohler. It was definitely the coldest day this fall I've run it, about 44F when I started. In warmer weather I start at idle, let it run for a few minutes and engage the deck at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle and it will not stall with either my 42M or 48" I use with my cyclone rake. Went through the same drill today though and it stalled out due to the cold. I re-started, gave her another minute or so, bumped the throttle to 3/4+ and no problems. I thought I read somewhere in the JD manual that you shouldn't engage at full throttle, the reason I always let it run for a couple minutes even in the summer so I engage at only 1/2 to 3/4.

15 sec and engage at 1/2 throttle today, no question I would have stalled. Two minutes of warm up time seems more than legit when temps are in the 40's. I run 10W-30 Mobil1 synthetic.
 
#11 ·
It depends on the temp for my X500. If it is cooler it has to warm up for a minute. Every time I engage the deck with or without the powerflow the rpms dip down and then come back up. I only engage the deck at WOT.
I also use the JD oil that the dealer specs for me.
Good luck!
 
#12 ·
My RPM's dip momentarily also whe engaging the deck, I engage at slightly above 3/4 throttle. Thats the lowest RPM I can get away with the 54" deck.
 
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#13 ·
did you read the owners mamanual?

Always operate at maximum throttle speed when mower is engaged.
 
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#14 ·
As far as oil for the engine goes, I have been using Castrol GTX 10W-30 in the summer and John Deere Torq-Guard Supreme 5W-30 in the winter. I have an existing supply of the Castrol which I will use until it is gone. At least here in Northern Maine, Oil is less expensive by the quart at the John Deere dealer than at any of the local auto parts stores (including Wal-Mart and VIP) . Also this fall I received an E-Mail coupon from John Deere for a discount if I bought 2 quarts of oil and a filter (or a Home Maintenance Kit) so it was even less expensive.

Mark
 
#15 ·
Bossgobbler said:
did you read the owners mamanual?

Always operate at maximum throttle speed when mower is engaged.
Click to expand...
Was that directed at me or one of the other post? I read my manual. I only stated I engaged the deck at less than full throttle.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
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