Versatility has always been one of the strongest aspects of John Deere. And you can clearly see it in the wide variety of lawnmowers and garden tractors that the brand has manufactured over the years. This is one of the main reasons why many people consider it one of the best lawnmower brands out there.
Take the John Deere X485, for instance. This lawnmower came out in 2002 as part of their HDGT X Series Garden tractors. And the moment it set foot on the market, it became an instant favorite among professionals and homeowners alike. Its amazing set of features made it perfect for just about any sort of project.
However, like any other lawnmower out there, it suffered from a few issues here and there and cropped up because of poor maintenance and mismanagement. This doesn’t take anything away from the side of the mower but rather shows how important regular servicing is in the performance of a lawnmower.
The good news here is that the issues that do come up in this lawnmower can be fixed, albeit with some effort. But to do that, you need to know what you are doing. And if you don’t have the right know-how, you will have a hard time figuring out how to fix these issues.
That’s where I come in. In this article, I will talk about the common problems in the John Deere X485 and help you troubleshoot these issues the right way. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Common Issues With The John Deere X485 And How To Fix Them
Like any other lawnmower out there, the John Deere X485 mainly suffers from a couple of common issues in the engine, electrical, and deck sections. So I’ll go through each area, giving you some troubleshooting tips to sort everything out.
1. Engine Troubles
The John Deere X485 features a powerful Kawasaki engine, but poor maintenance can often lead to engine malfunctions. Here are some of the common ones.
Poor Engine Performance
Kawasaki engines are well-known for their reliable performance and powerful output. So, if the engine in your John Deere X485 starts underperforming, it becomes noticeable almost immediately.
It becomes even more apparent when you are pushing the engine with activities such as mowing uphill or putting it under load.
Now a couple of things can cause the engine to perform poorly. The first thing to check is the engine temperature. If the engine is overheating, it will struggle to perform as expected. In that case, you need to change the air filter and inspect the cooling fins replacing them as you see fit.
A damaged fuel pump and governor can also cause this problem. So, you need to inspect these components, too, while you’re at it. If the issue persists, check the engine compression, and adjust as needed. For the final step, inspect the carburetor and repair or replace it.
Engine Backfiring
I think it’s safe to assume you already know what an engine backfire sounds like. And you should also know that a backfiring engine can easily damage the exhaust or the fuel cylinder, which can, in turn, cause severe problems in the entire system.
So, if the Kawasaki engine in your John Deere X485 is backfiring, you need to fix it right away. The first thing to do here is to check the spark plug. If the plug is damaged, replace it.
You should also readjust the choke and check the carburetor. Also, make sure you test and inspect the ignition coil air gap and reset it if necessary. You might also need to adjust the valve clearance.
This sort of issue is usually caused by maladjustment, so you don’t need to worry about replacing any key components. Once you check and adjust the components that I talked about, the engine should stop backfiring.
2. Issues With The Electrical Sections
You might also notice some issues with the electric starter switch in your John Deere X485, along with the battery. Here’s how you can diagnose and fix these issues.
Starter Not Working
The electric starter in the John Deere X485 is designed to give you a smooth and efficient startup when you want to use the lawnmower. However, since it is a mechanical component, it can malfunction just like any other part.
You might suddenly notice that your mower won’t start up even when the engine cranks. To fix the issue, you need to figure out what’s causing it first. The switch might be damaged, in which case you need to replace it.
But before you do that, it’s a good idea to check the wirings around the switch. It might be a result of a faulty connection which you can fix simply by reattaching the wires. If that doesn’t work, then change the switch.
Battery Doesn’t Charge
A faulty or dead battery will not charge, or even if it does will drain continuously even when you charge it to full. In that case, your only option is to replace the battery with a new one that’s compatible with your lawnmower.
The fix is simple, but the cost of battery can be a bit much for many users. So, before you replace the battery, you should at least test your old battery with a different charger.
Also, make sure you inspect the wiring around the battery terminal. If the terminals look rusty, you should try removing some of the rust. However, in some situations, replacing the battery is your only option.
3. Problems In The Deck
Apart from the engine and the electrical section, the mower deck in your John Deere X485 might also show some issues. Thankfully, deck problems are pretty easy to sort out as long as you know the right way.
Excessive Vibration In The Deck
It’s natural for the mower deck to vibrate a bit when you are using it. But if it starts vibrating excessively, you will have a tough time using the lawnmower. Don’t worry – this is a pretty common issue, and it can be fixed without too much hassle on your end.
This usually indicates that the pulley belt in your John Deere X485 tractor slipped off. You can fix it simply by reseating the belt and readjusting the tension. Sometimes a worn drive belt can also cause the issue. In that situation, you need to replace the drive belt.
You should also check between the blades for any stuck dirt or debris. Sometimes, pebbles caught between the blade can lead to the deck vibrating excessively.
Uneven Cutting
Uneven cutting is another common deck-related problem that you will have to deal with when using the John Deere X485 lawnmower. This lawnmower, when it’s performing as expected, delivers a smooth and clean trim.
But if it suddenly starts cutting awkwardly, then that means either the blades are dull, or the deck height is not level. So, check the blades first, and if they are indeed dull, sharpen them. However, if the blades are beyond repair, you need to replace them with new blades.
On the other hand, if the deck height is causing this problem, then you need to reset the height. A quick look through the instruction manual should tell you how you can do that.
Frequently Asked Questions
People have often come to me with questions about the John Deere X485 lawnmower before picking one up for themselves. Since it’s a pretty big investment, I understand the doubts. To that end, let me address some of the questions here to make things easier for you.
1. What type of engine does the John Deere X485 come with?
The John Deere X485 features a 25 HP Kawasaki engine with two cylinders. It has a displacement capacity of 745 ccs and a hydrostatic transmission system.
There are three main variants of this model – the X485, the X485SE, and the X485AWS. The X485 is the base model, with the other two offering certain upgrades over the original.
2. Is the John Deere X485 an expensive lawnmower?
It depends on what sort of work you plan on doing with it. If you are planning to use it professionally, where you will use it to its fullest potential, I wouldn’t say it’s too expensive. However, for residential use, its 10000 dollar of price tag is a bit steep.
Final Thoughts
Apart from a few hiccups here and there, the John Deere X485 is a pretty amazing lawn tractor. And let’s be real here – the issues that I talked about only ever come up if you act recklessly with your lawnmower.
So once the problems start to appear, you will have only yourself to blame. However, if you just take the time to do some basic maintenance, your lawnmower should not show any worrying signs.
Simple tasks like cleaning up the components or changing the fuel regularly go a long way toward bringing out the best in your vehicle. I hope my in-depth guidelines on the different issues of the John Deere X485 could help you get good use out of your lawnmower. Good luck!