John Deere has always been one of my favorite brands to go with whenever I am on the market for a new lawnmower. They have a huge catalog of amazing machines at different price ranges. And since I like to browse and weigh my options, I always have a soft spot for this brand.
And it’s not just me – the massive consumer base that the brand has created over the years speaks for itself. Whether you are on a budget or looking for a premium lawnmower for your garden, there’s a solid chance that you will end up with a John Deere lawnmower.
The X line of products by them is catered towards people who prioritize performance over price. And the X590, among them, is a very well-designed lawnmower in particular. Sure, it’s not an affordable option by any means, but the performance it delivers does not come cheap either.
Now, if you spend this much money on a lawnmower, there’s a good chance that you know what you are getting into. You should already know the proper maintenance procedures that a mower like the X590 demands. However, it will show several issues if you don’t know how to take care of the lawnmower.
In this article, I will talk about the common issues that may come up in the John Deere X590 from poor maintenance and help you figure out what you should do to fix them. So, without further delay, let’s get started.
Common John Deere X590 Lawnmower Issues and How to Fix Them
The truth is if you are looking for a lawnmower that demands zero maintenance and will serve you perfectly for a lifetime, your search will never end. Lawnmowers, by design, require regular servicing, and without proper maintenance, you will notice a lot of performance issues.
Even a high-end model like the X590 will start acting up without some care and attention. You might suddenly notice engine issues or weird cuts in the grass if you take a hands-off approach with your vehicle.
Here are some of the common issues that occur in the John Deer X590 lawnmower from lack of maintenance.
1. Overheating Engine
One of the most common issues in a hydrostatic lawnmower such as the John Deere X590 is frequently overheating in the engine. So, I decided that’s a good place to start.
Overheating engines is usually a result of a couple of different issues. Problems like low or high oil levels, clogged-up cooling fins, overworked engines, or even a dirty carburetor can cause your lawnmower engine to overheat. To fix this problem, you have to go through each of these problems one by one.
Start with checking the oil level, as that seems to be the easiest one to diagnose. You want to make sure that the oil level is optimal, which means too much oil is not good either.
If the oil level is low, you need to top it off; if the level is too high, drain some out. The quality of oil also matters here. You want to make sure you are using high-quality gasoline, as low-quality ones come with alcohol additives that can damage your engine.
You should also check the cooling fins and look for any blockages. And while you’re at it, also consider cleaning your carburetor if it is too dirty.
Finally, if none of the above solutions worked, consider lowering the load on your engine. Sometimes, the engine overheats simply because you are pushing it too hard.
2. Failure to Start
Apart from the engine getting excessively heated, John Deere X590 can also just fail to start. Now, if this is your first mower, and you have never faced this issue before, I understand how this can seem very scary. But there are a few ways to fix this problem. The first step, however, is figuring out what’s causing this.
You should start with the fuel tank. As I already said, this type of mower works best only with high-quality gasoline. If you were using cheap gas, there’s a chance that the gas turned stale and is causing your engine to fail. In that case, drain the tank and refill it with high-quality gas.
In fact, if you haven’t used the mower for 30 days or longer, even if there is fuel in the tank, drain and replace it. Old fuels can cause all sorts of issues in the engine. So, it’s always worth replacing it if it gets too old. While you’re at it, also check the fuel line and make sure nothing is damaged.
If the fuel system is fine, then there’s a chance that the electric starter is not working. Open up the foot panel and check the condition of the starter and the surrounding connections. Loose wirings can cause this issue. If the starter looks damaged, replace it.
After that, you need to inspect the safety switch at the bottom of the seat and the spark plugs. Both of them can get damaged with use, and if they prevent your mower from starting up, you need to replace them.
3. Rough Running
Sometimes, the engine will start up fine and will also not overheat. Instead, what you will notice is a sudden jerk or roughness when you operate it. This can be an annoying issue to deal with, but the solution is pretty similar to what you would do with an overheating or failing engine.
First of all, check the fuel lines and fuel quality. The quality of the fuel is the main culprit here in most cases. However, if you have already cleared old fuel and are still facing this issue, then the problem might lie with the carburetor. Sometimes, a dirty or clogged carburetor can cause the engine to run rough.
So, you need to switch off the mower, allow the engine to cool off, and then get to work with a clean rag. Make sure you wipe the carburetor clean and remove any dirt or debris stuck inside the mower. Once you are done, your mower should run without any rough edges.
4. Excessive Vibration and Noise
John Deere lawnmowers are designed for user comfort, and if you suddenly notice that the mower vibrates excessively while riding, there’s a problem that you need to solve. Don’t worry; you might only have a faulty or slipping belt drive that is causing this issue.
To fix this, you need to access the belt drive first. If the belt drive simply slipped off, you could tighten it to ensure it doesn’t do so in the future. However, if the belt looks damaged or worn, you should replace it.
5. Battery Failure
If the mower hasn’t been in use for a while, there’s always a chance that the battery is damaged. Typically, if the battery is not working in your mower, its electrical components, such as the starter, will stop functioning.
Check the battery terminals first and see if loose wirings are causing this issue. If the terminals seem damaged or corroded, it’s time to replace the entire battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a new John Deere X590 is a massive investment. So, it’s natural to have questions. In this section, I will address some of the common questions that people have asked me about this mower in the hope that it can help you in some capacity.
What engine comes in the John Deere X590 Lawnmower?
The John Deere X590 mower features a 25.5HP Kawasaki engine with a displacement rate of 726 ccs. It is a true powerhouse capable of handling any project you take on with it.
Is it worth buying the John Deere X590 Lawnmower?
If you are having second thoughts about buying the John Deere X590 after reading through all the issues, then you are making a big mistake. The John Deere X590 is an amazing machine.
And all the issues that it faces come up only if you don’t maintain it. Regular servicing can prevent at least 90 percent of the issues that I talked about in this article.
Final Thoughts
End of the day, the John Deere X590 is a superb utility tractor that can outlast any mower on the market, assuming you take care of it. Proper maintenance is the key here, and if you don’t service your mower properly, it will not be able to keep up its top performance for long.
If your mower starts poorly performing all of a sudden, you need to diagnose and fix it before things get too serious. After trying, if the problem seems above your paygrade, don’t hesitate to take it to a professional garage so that they can fix it for you.
I hope my guidelines on the different issues that can come up in your John Deere X590 can help you get the most out of your mower. Good luck!