With the world advancing the way it is, there seems to be an influx of new lawnmower brands every other day. But despite the new arrivals, many, like me, seem to be flocking back to the classic brand, John Deere. And it’s really not surprising when you think about it.
John Deere, after all, is one of the OG brands that popularized commercial and residential lawnmowers. The sheer quantity and versatility of their lawnmowers speak volumes about the brand. If you are considering buying a John Deere lawnmower, then you are on the right track.
Now, the John Deere F525 is a bit of an oddball in the brand’s huge catalog of lawnmowers. Instead of featuring a central mower deck, the deck in the F525 is front-mounted. This makes it a fantastic choice for larger lawns that require a bit more power in the tank.
However, just like any other lawnmower out there, the F525 has a few issues that need to be talked about. It’s a great mower, there’s no doubt about it, but due to poor maintenance and natural wear and tear, things can start to act up in the mechanical section of the lawnmower.
In this article, I will talk about the probable problems you may face in your John Deere F525 and help you fix the issues with minimal hassle. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Common Issues with the John Deere F525 and How to Fix Them
Of all the mowers that John Deere makes, the F525 is always talked about in high regard. However, there are some occasional issues that crop up in the machine because of a lack of maintenance and care.
In this section, I will talk about the common issues that you might have to deal with in your John Deere F525 and give you some troubleshooting tips to fix the problems.
1. Engaging The Blade Stops The Engine
Let’s start with a weird one – many users of the John Deere F525 complain that when they engage the blade in their mower, the engine suddenly stops, and the mower loses power. Now, if you are a beginner, you would no doubt be completely lost on why this might be happening.
The first thing to do here is to check below the mower deck. Dirt or debris can often clog up the blade preventing its rotation, and the mower shuts down, detecting this problem as a safety measure. So, if there are any blockages in the blade, remove them.
Another possibility here is that the safety mechanism under the operator’s seat is malfunctioning. So, the next step in the troubleshooting process is to check the wiring around the safety witch. Loose connections or damaged wires might be responsible for this problem.
If the wirings seem intact and functional, the next likely suspect is the safety switch itself. There’s always a possibility that the switch is damaged. You need to replace the switch in that case.
The last thing to check here is the clutch bearings. If the clutch pully does not spin or feels scratchy after removing the belt, then you need to change the bearing. Of course, you can try repairing the bearings, but replacing them is usually the better approach.
2. Clutch PTO Issues
The John Deere F525 uses a clutch PTO to supply power to the mower deck. As you might know, the purpose of a clutch PTO is to transmit energy to auxiliary devices, such as the blades that cannot generate power on their own. So naturally, if the PTO malfunctions, a lot of issues can come up.
If you suddenly notice that the blades in your lawnmower are not spinning, then that’s a sign of PTO failure. The clutch PTO can get faulty because of problems in the coils, battery, switches, etc. But the first thing that I would recommend checking is the PTO switch.
Testing the PTO switch is pretty easy with a multimeter. If you don’t know how – there are plenty of guides out there that can show you the way. After checking the PTO switch, if it turns out faulty and non-functional, you need to replace it. However, if the switch is fine, then the problem lies elsewhere.
It’s a good idea to check the condition of the battery and the wirings around it. There’s a chance that because of loose or damaged wiring in the system, the battery cannot supply power to the switch. If the wirings seem fine, and the battery is charged and functional, then check the wheel in the motor.
However, sometimes PTO issues can be a bit too complicated for the user to diagnose. If you find that none of the fixes are working for you, you should take your lawnmower to a professional for a thorough checkup.
3. Mower Deck Feels Loose and Wobbly
The deck design in the John Deere F525 is pretty amazing. But still, there are a fair bit of complaints regarding the deck of this lawnmower. A common problem that many people face with this mower is that the deck belt falls off and loosens the entire pulley bolt. This, in turn, causes the blades to fall off.
Now, the most likely culprit here is the spindle bearings. The purpose of the bearings is to protect the belt and make sure the filter stays in place. So, when the bearings get damaged, it can lead to wobbling and can damage the pulley belts.
Of course, it might also be a simple matter of blade balancing. Broken components in the mower deck can make it impossible to use the vehicle. So, let’s look at how you can fix this issue.
Start with a quick inspection of the pulley belt. If the belt looks damaged, replace them immediately. Also, check the connections and positioning of the belt. There’s a chance that the belt just slipped off and resetting its position can fix the problem. Make sure you tighten the tension in the belt to prevent future occurrences.
4. Problem Starting the Mower
Another complaint that people often have with their John Deere is that the lawnmower refuses to start up. Now before you get all worked up, it’s a pretty common problem with many lawnmowers. The first thing you have to do is figure out exactly what’s causing this issue.
A filthy carburetor, for instance, can be the reason behind this issue. Another suspect in this problem may be a damaged sparkplug in the system. But before we get to those sections, I want to talk about the most likely culprit here – the fuel system.
You should start by checking the fuel and replacing it if the fuel turns out stale. Old, stale fuel can prevent engine start-up, which leads to the mower not starting problem. When refilling the tank, make sure you are using high-quality fuel, as they last longer and perform better.
If the fuel is fine, then you need to inspect the spark plug and clean up the carburetor. These few fixes should be good enough to get your engine up and running again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course, problems in your mower never feel good, but the good news here is that most of the issues are fixable.
If you found a good deal on a John Deere F525 lawnmower in your neighborhood, I would recommend getting one. This FAQ question should help you understand a bit more about the quality of this lawnmower.
1. What Are The Main Features Of The John Deere F525?
The John Deere F525 features a 1-cylinder, air-cooled Kawasaki engine with 17 HP and a displacement capacity of 534 ccs. It has an electric starter along with a hydrostatic transmission system that feels pretty smooth and easy to use. The unit features a front-mounted mower deck with 48 inches of cutting width.
2. Is The John Deere F525 A Dependable Lawnmower?
Yes, the John Deere F525 is widely considered a reliable and dependable mower. It’s rated for around 2000 hours of use and generally provides a precise and smooth cut. However, mowing in a straight line with this model can be a bit difficult for a new user. After a bit of practice, though, it should get easier.
Final Thoughts
The John Deere F525 became immediately popular when it first came out, and there are quite a few reasons behind it. It’s extremely easy to use and also packs a lot of power to help you mow through your lawn with minimal hassle.
The price tag, for the level of performance it delivers, is also really not that high. With regular maintenance and care, you can make this lawnmower last you quite a while. I would suggest taking it to the repair shop every once in a while, even when it is performing well, to give it a quick tune-up.
This will help you get the most out of this lawnmower. I hope my in-depth look into the John Deere F525 problems could help you resolve any issues you might be having with this lawnmower. Good luck!