Planning on treating yourself to a new riding lawnmower? Well, it’s not as easy as it used to be. There are a lot more options than there used to be when it comes to riding mowers, and with so many brands out there these days, it can quickly get pretty overwhelming for just about anyone.
Still, if you ask me, one brand stands far above the rest in my book – John Deere. With over a hundred years of experience in the field, this brand is still one of the finest out there. So, if you are having trouble picking out a lawnmower, take a look at their vast catalog. There’s a good chance you’ll find something that fits the bill.
For residential use, though, I would recommend going with the John Deere x360. Yes, the mower got discontinued a while back, but it holds up well to today’s standard. And since you can pick one up a lot cheaper than before, it can make a fine addition to your arsenal.
But just like any other lawnmower, you will need to take good care of it if you want to get the best performance from it. Lawnmowers, in general, require regular servicing. Otherwise, you will start noticing weird problems popping up in the internal components that can ruin your entire experience.
In this article, I will talk a bit about some of the common issues that you might face with the John Deere x360 lawnmower and help you figure out what to do to fix them. So, let’s dive in.

Common Issues With The John Deere X360 And How To Fix Them
The John Deere x360 is a highly well-designed lawnmower. And it doesn’t suffer from anything that you won’t see in other lawnmowers as well.
The truth is poor maintenance will cause your lawnmower to malfunction, and the only real way to prevent that is to service it regularly.
Here are some of the issues that you might face with your John Deere x360 lawnmower.
1. Engine Issues

Engine issues are pretty common with most lawnmowers when you don’t take care of them. The John Deere X360 is not an exception here. Let’s review some of the common engine problems that you might face with the lawnmower.
Engine Doesn’t Start
If you wake up one day and see that the engine in your John Deere X360 won’t crank, don’t be alarmed. As it turns out, this is extremely common with many lawnmowers out there. This probably has something to do with the fuel line, so fixing it should not be too difficult either.
Start with inspecting the condition of the fuel in the tank. If the fuel level is low or it’s stale, replace it with a fresh batch. You should also inspect the fuel filters for any blockages and give them a thorough cleaning. In addition, check the fuel injection nozzles and replace them if it looks damaged.
With the fuel system checked, your engine should start up without any trouble. If the problem still occurs, check the spark plug for any signs of damage. Replacing the damaged spark plug should fix things. If not, then adjust the float level in the carburetor.
Engine Stalls During Operation
Another common issue that comes up in the engine is that it stalls suddenly as you are using the lawnmower. This can happen for a number of reasons. And you need to go through each possibility one-by-one.
The first thing to do here is to inspect the cooling system. If the engine is overheating, that explains why it’s stalling when you are using the vehicle. Inspect the cooling fins for any signs of damage or blockage. After removing the blockage or replacing the fins, check the air filter and clean it thoroughly.
Damaged electrical connections can also cause this problem. So, check the wiring around the engine and replace any torn wires. A damaged throttle cable stick is another likely reason behind this issue. So, make sure you check and replace any damaged sticks.
Engine Won’t Go Into Idle
If the engine in your lawnmower won’t idle, then this is a problem related to the spark plugs. The most likely scenario here is that the plug came loose. Tightening the plug should fix the problem. However, if it’s damaged, make sure you replace it immediately.
2. Transmission Problems

The hydrostatic transmission system in the John Deere X360 can also show some issues from time to time. Here are a couple of common ones.
Noisy Transmission
Excessive noise from the transmission system is a pretty common issue with most lawnmowers. If your John Deere x360 faces this issue, you need to start by adjusting the backlash. In most cases, adjusting the backlash gets rid of the problem right away.
However, if that doesn’t work, then there’s a chance that the gears are damaged. In that case, you need to replace the defective gears. You should also check the bearings and the shift forks for signs of damage and replace them as needed.
Gears Won’t Shift
Another issue that often comes up in the transmission system is the gears stiffen up, making it hard for you to shift. If that happens, then check the gear shift linkage. If it’s rusty, that’s what’s causing this problem. You can use a bit of lubricant to remove the rust.
If that doesn’t do the trick, then replace the linkage. You should also check the clutch and readjust or replace it if needed. Finally, check the gearshift mechanism for any signs of damage. If it seems worn, replace it.
3. Trouble With The Mower Deck

The John Deere X360 is equipped with a 48-inch-wide mowing deck. And while it’s an amazing addition to the vehicle, it is often prone to some issues. Here are some common deck-related issues that you might see in your lawnmower.
Uneven Cutting Performance
An uneven cut from your lawnmower usually means two things – either the blades are dull, or the deck height is not level. Both of these issues are pretty easy to fix. Start by inspecting the deck height. If it’s not completely level, you need to reset the height following the guidelines in your instruction manual.
Of course, dull blades can also cause this problem. So, inspect the condition of the blades and resharpen them if they seem too dull. However, if the blades seem dented or chipped at the edges, you should replace them right away.
Discharge Chute Gets Plugged
If your John Deere x360 has a plugged discharge chute, you should clean it up before you use it further. However, if the chute keeps getting clogged, then that indicates a deeper problem.
To fix this issue, make sure you are not cutting wet grass. Wet grass can clog up the chute pretty easily. You should also readjust the cutting height to match the height of your lawn grass. Finally, adjust the engine rpm, and that should reduce the frequency of this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
After reading through the list of common problems, you might be questioning the quality of the John Deere x360 lawnmower. But the truth is, all of the problems I discussed only come up from poor maintenance.
You shouldn’t have to deal with these problems if you service your mower regularly. Here are a few common questions I often get asked about this lawnmower.
- Is the John Deere x360 a good lawnmower?
Yes, the John Deere x360 is a fantastic lawnmower, even when you pit it up against the lawn tractors that are currently in production. For residential use, the performance that this vehicle delivers is impeccable. In fact, even if you are using it professionally, you should find little worth complaining about with the machine.
- What type of engine does the John Deere x360 come with?
The John Deere X360 features a high-quality Kawasaki engine that promises unparalleled performance to the user. This engine can deliver up to 22 HP power output and has two cylinders. The total displacement capacity of the engine is 675 ccs.
Final Thoughts
The John Deere x360 first came out in 2008 as a part of their x300 series premium tractors and retailed for around 5000 dollars. But since its discontinuation in 2015, the price has gone down quite a bit. So, if you want a high-end lawnmower at a good price point, the John Deere x360 is a fantastic choice.
To ensure smooth performance, though, I would strongly recommend taking care of your vehicle. No, you don’t need to take it to the service shop every other month. Just a simple bit of maintenance every now and then is enough to keep it running in its optimal condition.
I hope my in-depth guideline on the John Deere x360 problems could help you resolve any issues you might be having with the machine. Good luck!