John Deere’s x570 is one of the best Lawn Tractors around. It has large tires to traverse uneven terrain, reinforced transmission, and a limited-slip differential. It can travel faster than most other mowers and has more traction.
With that said, some significant problems with the machine seem to be recurring issues for users.
So today, we’ll take an in-depth look at the common problems with the x570 and discuss common solutions so you can fix them without visiting a mechanic. Then finally, we will talk about whether this mower is a worthy investment of your hard-earned money or not.
The most common problems with John Deere x570
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The x570 has a robust and smooth, easy start 24hp engine, convenient replacement starter magnets, and oil filters for streamlined maintenance and use of the machine even in cold weather.
This, combined with the Accel Deep cutting mower deck, which gives it tremendous mowing performance, has made it a popular choice. With overall user ratings sitting well above the 4.5-star mark, you can be sure you’re getting quality with this tractor.
Sounds ideal! However, there are some common and recurring issues with the machine. The good news is these are relatively common throughout the John Deere range, and you can troubleshoot many of these issues yourself without the help of an expensive mechanic.Â
So let’s take a deeper look at these issues and how you can fix them.
1. The engine struggles to start
A common complaint for users is often that engine doesn’t start at all, or it may struggle a lot when you try to start it.
The good news is this can often be fixed by yourself as it’s most frequently an issue with the battery or electrical connections.
Let’s start with the battery. Unfortunately, no battery lasts forever; over time, their ability to charge at a reasonable speed and hold a charge can diminish. In addition to that, sometimes the battery is OK, but it’s the cables/connectors which are experiencing issues.
Here are some standard checks/fixes you can perform:
- The first thing to do if you are experiencing a battery that drains too fast is to check all the cables/connections associated with the electrical system. You may need to clean the connections with a wire brush if you identify corrosion.
- If the battery doesn’t charge, but all the connections are OK, then the battery might need to be replaced.
- Check the starter solenoid; if this is not working, it will need to be replaced with a new one.
- Also, check if the fuses have blown and replace them as necessary.
Once you are sure that the battery and its connections are in good order, you should look at the fuel tanks next. First, check it has adequate gasoline and tops it up if it doesn’t. If the fuel is very old or low-grade, it’s probably best to discard it and use a new/clean fuel.
The last thing to check is that the fuel filters are not plugged up with debris, which can impede fuel flow to the engine.
2. The engine starts but doesn’t run smoothly
If you find that it seems to run poorly for the first few minutes after starting the engine, it’s usually due to some blockage restricting either air to fuel flow to the tractor.
The three main things to look at are the cooling fins which can quickly become clogged up with dirt and debris, the debris will need to be removed, and the fins cleaned up. This should be a part of your regular maintenance process if it’s not already.
The next thing to check is the fuel injectors’ air filter. This is meant to stop any material from going through the air intake and getting into the engine. However, over time it may become clogged and need cleaning; otherwise, the fuel-to-air ratio in the engine may be affected.
The final thing to check is the ignition coils and carburetor, which may also need cleaning.
3. The engine overheats
To ensure optimal operation of the tractor, we need to ensure it runs at an adequate temperature.Â
The first thing to check is that the oil level is correct. In addition, blocked cooling fins will again contribute to this problem.
The final thing to look out for is just the overall usage of the tractor. If the weather is exceptionally hot, or the tractor has been stored under direct sunlight. Then, combine that with excessive heavy workloads, and the machine can quickly overheat.
Try to be mindful of where you store it and how much workload you place upon the machine, not letting the engine get too hot.
4. The engine loses power
Many users have complained that the engine will suddenly lose power during use. This seems particularly prevalent when the engine is hot and moving over uneven terrain.
Assuming the heating issue had already been addressed, many other factors may contribute to this problem that will need addressing.
The first thing to check is the fuel tank. Low fuel is one of the primary factors in the engine struggling to deal with heavier workloads. Ensure it’s both top-up and using good-quality fuel.
Once again, the filters must be checked as air or fuel filters clogged up with debris will restrict the fuel/air flow into the combustion chamber, hampering the engine’s ability to operate at optimum efficiency.
The fuel pump should also be inspected, which is critical to ensuring the engine receives enough fuel and maintains that all-important air-to-fuel ratio. Unfortunately, if this is not working correctly, you may need to contact a mechanic to replace it.
Other things that may need checking are the carburetor and the transmission, which may wear down over extended periods. Once again, if these components need replacing, it’s probably best to have a professional install them.
5. Black smoke appears from the engine
If your engine starts to produce black smoke, it can, of course, be quite alarming. What this indicates is that the fuel-to-air ratio within the engine is incorrect. Don’t panic – but at the same time, we do need to address this as soon as possible.
The main thing to check here is that the air and fuel filters as blockages in either one of these will hinder their ability to supply the respective elements to the engine, thus creating a mixture imbalance.
On a side note, you may also encounter white smoke if your coolant level is low. Check that and top it up if you encounter any white smoke!
6. Strong vibration and non-smooth driving
Because one of the primary applications for the x570 is for lawn moving over more significant portions of terrain, it’s very easy to have the cutter fling up pebbles are larger bits of debris that can get stuck within the mower deck and affect the smooth operation of the machine.
Give the lawn mower deck a thorough inspection and check for any small chunks of dirt or pebbles, no matter how small, and remove them from the machine.
The other problem that may cause this strong vibration is the primary drive belt which can wear out over time. You may need to tighten the belt or replace it entirely, depending on the severity of its wear.
The final thing may be the lawn mower blades themselves. If they are not adequately tightened or are chipped, they may cause things to feel uneven and bumpy. These should be inspected and fixed accordingly.
7. The cut quality is poor
Generally speaking, the x570 series tractors provide an excellent cut even over the most uneven terrain. But as with all mowers that deal with larger plots of land, over time, the blades will dull and need to be inspected and replaced if they have become too dull to cut correctly, resulting in the mulching of the grass.Â
For optimum mowing, make sure these are sharpened/replaced as necessary.
Also, ensure the mower wheels have equal pressure in them, as one particularly squashy tire will make the lawn mower lean down at one angle, throwing off the cutting angle of the blades, and resulting in further mulching and uneven cutting.
8. The cutting height set on the mower deck doesn’t match the real-world outputÂ
You can manually set your desired cutting height from the mower deck. But some users are finding that no matter what they set this at, the lawn mower always seems to cut shorter – which is a real problem when you need to be specific with your cut height as cutting too low can easily make grass turn a not-so-pleasant yellowy brown color.
The main contributing factors could be insufficient tire pressure, causing the lawn mower to sink a little lower than what the dial has been calibrated for.
If you can’t immediately put more air in the mower wheels, you can compensate for this by setting your lawn mower deck cutting height a little higher than it should be for optimum mowing.
Conversely, soft soil or wet ground might cause the x570 to sink a little lower into the ground than desired, resulting in a lower cutting height than what you have set. As frustrating as it is not to be able just to set the cutting height and trust it, you can once again compensate for this by setting the cutting height a little higher.
John Deere x570 problems: Are they a deal-breaker?
The x570 series tractors by John Deere can experience some issues from time to time, requiring you to keep on top of maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly.
Providing this is not an issue for you, and you are willing to learn the machine’s quirks, this is a great and highly reliable purchase!
You only need to look at the reviews left by other owners to see how robust and capable the x570 is. And if you need a John Deere mower that can handle more demanding tasks than a simple flat lawn, this one should be a top consideration for you!
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
