Learning about some of the most frequent John Deere L130 problems and how to fix them is essential. However, it is straightforward if you have basic skills in fixing a lawntractor. Although the John Deere L130 is a superb machine, you should know some potential issues and drawbacks.
Problems with the transmission hydraulic fluid, clutch, steering, and rear end are some of the most troublesome parts of this tractor. This article is for you whether you are considering buying one or just looking to resolve one of the issues you already have with your tractor.
5 John Deere L130 Problems (John Deere L130 Troubleshooting Guide)
John Deere L130 Transmission Problems
Old Hydraulic Fluid
A John Deere L130 is a hydrostatic tractor that draws power from its hydraulic fluid and transmission. If the hydraulic fluid degrades and leaves residues & properties to sit idle for a prolonged period, it will break down your lawntractor transmission.
It is essential to keep your hydraulic fluid replaced once or twice a year at least. If you notice your John Deere L130 stops working suddenly, the issue could be as simple as the wrong hydraulic fuel fluid.
If you have experience changing the juice, you can quickly fix it. Here is how to improve and clean the system just before you store your lawntractor for the next mowing session
Solution
If you need more knowledge on cleaning and changing the old hydraulic fluid, you should take your unit to an authorized service center or expert to get help. You can also contact your relative who knows how to clean the pipes and change the hydraulic fluid if they have expertise.
However, if you want to avoid some costs, you can learn to do it independently with some essential skills and knowledge. Firstly, make sure the hydraulic fluid is drained correctly. During the process, look for any obstruction in the hydraulic system or nearby.
It may take a few days to drain all the fuel and give your John Deere L130 engine some fresh oil. Make sure you pour the fat designed for your John Deere L130-specific model. In many cases, people need to run the right fuel. Do consult the user guide for proper assistance and to determine what is the appropriate mixture.
Leaking Hydraulic Fluid
If your hydraulic fluid is leaking, the movement of your John Deere L130 will also be halted. Therefore if there is any leak in the hydraulic fluid or loose gasket seal, you might have found the culprit. If you find the gasket seal less effective, replace it with the new one.
There might be a few cracks that contributed to the oil leakage. If there is any potential crack in the Hydraulic oil pipeline that may escalate the oil leakage, repair / replace it.
Due to persistent pressure, the mower crankcase gasket is prone to developing cracks and rupturing. You first need to identify the exact leakage spot to fix the problem.
Solution
In most cases, faulty basket seals are the primary cause of Hydraulic oil leakage. Due to the rubber composition, the gasket seals are prone to breakage and wear. If this is the problem, get a new one. Other than this, if you cannot identify the leak origin, contact and get your unit to a nearby automobile shop.
Too Hot or Too Cold Hydraulic System
If the hydraulic system is too cold or too hot, there will also be a problem with the transmission system. It is essential to keep your mower in a cold area in the summertime.
If you keep your mower left in a hot room during summer and a hard place during winter, transmission problems will arise.
A boiling system can cause fluid leakage and lubrication issues. Hydraulic systems due to cold may also hinder your John Deere L130’s other components and systems. To fix the problem, here is what you need to do.
Solution
It is essential to keep your mower in a hot place during the winter season and warm up your John Deere L130 before starting it.
Besides this, consider supporting your mower in a cold area during summer to prevent fluid leakage and lubrication issues that may interfere with your lawntractor transmission problem system. It is best to keep the John Deere L130 in your garage.
John Deere L130 Clutch Problems
Cause
It may become sluggish if you mow your lawn while keeping your John Deere L130 in high gear. Besides this, a kit may respond very slowly, making the lawntractor stall in the highest equipment. This can cause clutch issues in John Deere L130.
Other than this, there may be low pressure on the forward clutch. Users have also reported their John Deere L130 drum of the forward clutch having worn-out sealing rings. Therefore you should also check both your lawntractor clutches and replace all the seals one by one twice a year.
Solution
Regardless of where the actual issue lies, you should check all your John Deere L130 clutches and replace their seals one by one. Contact your authorized dealer or service center if this doesn’t resolve the issue.
John Deere L130 Steering Problems
There can be many problems with your John Deere L130, including steering problems. The issues that could occur with your lawntractor steering include misaligned steering arms, loose Steering wheel, and more.
Hard to turn.
You must lubricate the shaft if your Steering Wheel is hard to turn. Apart from that, any worn-out Steering Wheel component may also be very stiff. So, do close attention to them also and check on regular maintenance. Other than this, if there is any grass or dirt accumulated, remove it. Remove the steering bushing.
Loose Steering wheel.
If your John Deere L130’s Steering Wheel is loose, examine its connection. If you find any dirt or grass, clean it. Other than this, consider tightening the steering gear.
Misaligned Steering Gears.
You must first turn off your John Deere L130 engine and unscrew the bolts to adjust each arm. After that, consider tightening the bolts.
Power Steering Problem.
This issue may arise if you operate your John Deere L130 at low fluid. Apart from this, if there is any fluid leakage, repair it to solve the issue.
Vibration In The Steering.
If any vibration in the steering seems unusual, check the rims and wheel alignment. If you find any bent rims, replace them.
John Deere L130 Starting Problems
John Deere L130 users often complain about having problems with starting their tractor. If you have also encountered engine starting difficulty, hard start, or no start issues with your car, here is what you need to know.
Engine hard start or no start problems are usually caused by operating your John Deere L130 with the wrong starting procedure. Other than this, if your lawntractor engine has insufficient fuel in its tanks, the John Deere L130 engine will not start.
Air clogging into the fuel system will also halt your John Deere L130 starting function. You should also check for any heavy crankcase oil or wrong fuel type that might be causing the John Deere L130 not to start.
Sometimes you accidentally raise the head primer, which can cause problems. Damage pumps in the fuel system, faulty injection pump on-off setting or clogged filters are a few culprits of lawntractor starting problems. Here is what you need to do to find the root cause and resolve the issue.
What To Do?
Firstly, you must check your John Deere L130 tank for enough fuel and the correct fuel type. Other than this, there should be no presence of advantages in the fuel system of your tractor.
After confirming the fuel tank and fuel type, you need to check the crankcase oil type and viscosity. If found wrong, correct it.
After doing that, your tractor should get started. If it doesn’t, consider inspecting the condition of the fuel filter, head primer, and injection pump. It is necessary to take immediate action if there is any defect or fault.
John Deere L130 Rear End Problems
Most rear-end problems encountered by John Deere L130 users referred to issues with the transaxle on your tractor’s rear end between the back wheels.
If you are facing any rear-end problem, there is a reasonable charge that it’s happening because of the issue with the rear transaxle. If your transmission gets weak over the last few weeks or months, the axle might be worn out and need replacement.
It would help if you also looked for any debris that might be stuck with the transaxle and causing rear-end problems. John Deere L130 rear-end issues can also occur if there is a sudden loss of the drive pulley.
It is suggested to replace the pulley with a new one, which may cost you around a hundred dollars. After replacing the transaxle or pulley as required, you will be back in business in no time.
Final Thoughts
Many problems may arise with your John Deere L130, but the ones I have covered in this article are the most common. The good news is most of its common issues are easy to resolve if you have basic skills in fixing tractors.
Call your authorized technician or service center if you lack enough knowledge or don’t feel confident about fixing any problem with your lawntractor tractor. You can also take the help of the manuals or instructions I have provided above. Do check our other articles on other tractors, till then take care and goodbye.
A variety of additional issues might arise with your John Deere 5300 tractors, but the ones I have covered are the most typical.
The good news is that the tractor’s most common issues are simple to resolve. Call a professional or read the instructions above if you’re having trouble. Also read, ‘3 Serious’ John Deere Gt235 Problems
I’m David man behind Lawn Mowerly; I’ve been dealing with lawnmowers and Tractors with my father since I was a kid. I know every make and model and what each one is capable of and love helping people find the perfect lawn mower for their needs.
