The John Deere X320 is a popular ride-on mower for people with large lawns or properties that need to be mowed regularly. Although this lawn mower will make mowing your large yard easier, it has some problems you might face at some time during its operation.
Owners have identified common issues, including problems with the carburetor or the transmission. There have also been problems identified with the steering of the mower and drive belt issues. Lastly, starting problems have been identified, which can be attributed to fuel pump issues or PTO issues.
We’re going to discuss these common problems, one by one, and give you some solutions on how you can fix them.
Carburetor Problems
The carburetor is an essential component of your X320 engine. It aids in the internal combustion of fuel and helps to keep your mower engine running.
Common problems that can be attributed to the carburetor include a loss of power during operation or an inability to start the engine.
Solutions
- If you suspect that you might have a problem with the carburetor, you first want to check it to see that it’s clean and free from debris.
- You also want to check that there are no oil leaks. If there are, you want to fix these immediately.
- Inspect the adjustment screws for the mix and the idle. Generally, these may only need to be adjusted to get the mix and idle correct, but if they’re damaged or broken, they’ll need to be replaced.
- Check also the control cable to ensure that it’s functioning correctly.
Transmission Problems
Problems caused by a malfunctioning transmission include a loss of power or inability to start the mower engine at all. These problems could be caused by damaged or worn seals in the piston pump, a loose belt, or a damaged drive pulley.
Solutions
- Check the seals and replace any that are damaged or worn.
- Inspect the belt to make sure it’s securely in place. It might need to be replaced if it’s damaged or broken.
- Check the drive pulley for any possible damage. This, too can be replaced.
- Check the transmission oil level and top it up if necessary.
Steering Problems
If your mower has had hours and hours of use or you’ve accidentally hit a rock while out mowing, you may have caused some damage to the calibration of the steering. This is fairly easily fixed.
Solutions
- With the engine off, put all the gears into place. Then, realign the steering wheel to match the direction of the mower’s wheels.
- If the ball joint has popped out, loosen and tighten the nut that holds it in place.
Fuel Pump Problems
If your mower engine is not running smoothly, you might have a problem with the fuel pump. It might have sustained some damage, or hairline cracks may have developed in the outer casing.
Solutions
- Close off the fuel valve and disconnect the fuel hoses.
- Remove the pump and replace it if it’s damaged or broken.
Problems With Starting The Mower
Starting problems can be quite common with this John Deere mower, and the causes are usually easily fixed. A starting problem could be caused by worn spark plugs, a dirty fuel or air filter, or a dead battery.
Solutions
- Pull out the spark plugs and see whether they’re worn. Replace them with new ones.
- Replace both the air and fuel filter with new ones.
- Recharge the battery or replace it with a new one.
Problems With Engaging The Mower Blades
The mower blades are engaged using the PTO switch. Sometimes, this becomes jammed, which means that you’re unable to engage the blades or give them enough power to rotate correctly. This means that you may have a problem with the PTO clutch.
Solutions
- Check the wires connecting the PTO clutch with the switch to ensure they’re connected correctly.
- If you can’t see any problems with the wires, it might be time to replace the PTO clutch with a new one.
Engine Power Problems
If you find that your engine will only run on low revs, you might have some problems with the fuel filter, the coil, or the spark plugs. In essence, you could have some dirt in the fuel, stopping your mower from running as it should.
Solutions
- Check the coil to see if it is functioning correctly. It might have to be replaced.
- Inspect the fuel and air filters and replace them if they’re dirty or clogged.
- If you haven’t changed the oil for some time, conducting a full oil change might be a good idea.
- Take out the spark plugs and make sure they aren’t worn. If they are, replace them with new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What transmission does a John Deere X320 have?
The John Deere X320 lawn mower used the Tuff-Torq K58 transmission that has a life span of around 900 hours.
Does the John Deere X320 have an alternator?
The John Deere X320 is fitted with a flywheel alternator that charges the battery while the mower is running.
Why does my John Deere mower keep shutting off?
Most probably, this is caused by dirty fuel. This means you’ll have to drain the fuel tank, clean it and refill it with fresh fuel. You should also replace the fuel filter.
Final Thoughts
The John Deere X320 is a popular mower that can make light work of all of your heavy-duty mowing. However, like all mechanical machines, it might give you some problems from time to time.
Common problems include trouble with starting the mower or running it at high power, engaging the cutting blades, issues with the transmission or the steering, and problems with the carburetor. Luckily, all of these problems are fairly easily fixed and regular maintenance of your mower should avoid any problems in the future.
