4 Most Common John Deere Z655 Problems And Troubleshooting Guide
Whether you are a homeowner looking to mow your lawn on a weekend morning or a professional landscaper in need of an upgrade, John Deere is an amazing brand to invest in. Their wide range of lawnmowers and garden vehicles has proved their capability time and time again.
And it’s really not surprising when you look at their century-long years of experience in the field. To this day, John Deere is arguably one of the best lawnmower brands out there and has garnered widespread popularity among professionals and enthusiasts alike.
When it comes to zero-turn mowers, their Z600 series stands out among the rest. However, if I had to narrow it down to a single model, I would always recommend giving the John Deere Z655 a fair shot. It sits at a nice price range and offers excellent performance for the money.
Of course, like any lawnmower out there, the Z655 requires a fair bit of maintenance from time to time. Basic maintenance, such as cleaning up the insides and replacing the fuel and filters in due time, should never be ignored if you decide to get this lawnmower. Failing to do so can result in various problems in your vehicle.
In this article, I will talk about some of the common problems that people have complained about with their John Deere Z655 and help you figure out how you can fix them. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Common Issues With The John Deere Z655 And How To Fix Them
The John Deere Z655 is a pretty sturdy lawnmower. But it needs regular maintenance and servicing if you want it to last. Poor maintenance is the only reason behind any issues cropping up in the lawnmower.
With that said, here are some of the issues that you will have to contend with if you don’t take care of the John Deere Z655 well enough. Don’t worry; I will also share my two cents on how to fix these problems.
1. Hydrostatic Transmission Problems:
The John Deere Z655 is equipped with the Hydro-Gear hydrostatic transmission system, which uses liquid pressure in the hydraulic pump to move the tire and gears in the vehicle. This mechanism also transfers power from the engine and makes shifting gears extremely smooth and efficient.
However, with poor maintenance, this is typically the first component to start acting up. And to make matters worse, fixing up a hydrostatic transmission system that’s underperforming can be pretty complicated.
Since there are a lot of small sections in the system, you need to check what’s causing the problem. Typical reasons behind hydrostatic transmission problems include broken lines, defective transmission filters, improper fluid levels, etc. So how do you fix the problem?
Well, the first thing to do is set the mower to park and access the transmission system. You want to do a thorough visual inspection of the transmission hoses and make sure there are no leaks. Any leaks in the line need to be repaired. And if the hoses are damaged, you might need to replace them.
Next, you want to take a look at the filters and remove any blockages that might be preventing fluid flow. If the blockages are not causing the issue, then check the fluid level in the transmission gearbox. Topping off the fluid to its optimal level should fix the problem.
2. Engine Troubles
I don’t think there’s a single lawnmower out there that won’t suffer from engine trouble if you don’t take care of it. So, expecting your John Deere Z655 to deliver peak engine performance while not maintaining it from time to time is quite unrealistic.
But, like all things, engine issues can also be fixed with a bit of elbow grease. Typical signs of engine troubles include engine overheating, engine not cranking, engine shutting down abruptly, etc.
In most cases, problems in the engine are related to the fuel condition. So that’s what you want to start with before anything else. Open up the fuel tank of your lawnmower and inspect the condition of the fuel. If the fuel is old, replace it with fresh fuel. And make sure you top it off to manufacturer recommended levels.
You also need to check the fuel filters and make sure it is not clogged up. A blocked fuel filter prevents fuel transfer to the engine, which can result in poor performance. Your riding mower will start to underperform when you stress the engine in that case. However, cleaning or replacing the filter should fix the issue.
If your engine is overheating, on the other hand, then you need to inspect the cooling section of the vehicle. Make sure the cooling fins are working well, and the engine oil level is optimal. If the fins are damaged, you need to replace them. And you also need to apply fresh engine oil if the old batch turns stale.
3. Issues With The Drive Belt
If you have used your lawnmower for a while now, you might start noticing a couple of weird issues with its performance. For example, you might find that the mower is vibrating excessively when you are riding, to the point that it gets uncomfortable for the operator.
You might also notice weird noises or the deck not responding to your commands properly. All of these problems are signs that the drive belt in your lawnmower has a problem. Open up the deck of your lawnmower and access the drive pulley belt.
Clean the belt and reseat it while making sure that there is no dirt or rubble stuck underneath it. You might also want to tighten the tension to prevent it from slipping off in the future. If the belt is worn out, though, you need to replace it.
4. PTO Clutch Problems:
The John Deere Z655 utilizes an electric PTO to move the cutting blades. It runs on 12 volts of power and is usually located under the deck of the lawnmower. For those that don’t know, PTO stands for Power Take Off.
Now, the PTO is engaged with a switch on the dashboard of the lawnmower. If the PTO is working right, as soon as you press the switch, the blades will engage and start to move. However, if you notice that the blades are not moving despite pressing the switch, then you need to figure out what’s messing with it.
The first thing to check here is the wirings. Loose connections can prevent the switch from activating the blades and reconnecting the wires should help resolve the issue right away. It might also be a battery issue, so make sure your battery is fully charged and working properly.
Of course, there’s always a chance that the PTO switch itself is faulty. Thankfully, you can test whether it’s working pretty easily using a voltmeter. There are some pretty handy guides out there on how to use a voltmeter to check the condition of the switch. So, you should be able to figure out this part by yourself.
If the switch is damaged, your only option here is to replace the switch. Make sure the switch is compatible with your lawnmower. Installing the new switch should restore the functionality of your PTO clutch.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have your eyes set on a John Deere Z655, then you have good taste. However, it’s natural to have second thoughts every now and then. And if you are having doubts about this investment, perhaps the following list of frequently asked questions can resolve any queries you may have about the vehicle.
1. How good is the cutting performance of the John Deere Z655?
The John Deere Z655 features a full-floating 54-inch mower deck which is miles ahead of the competition. That, combined with the Edge Cutting System and deep deck design of the machine, will allow you to get the perfect mowing experience whenever you take it out to your lawn.
2. Is the John Deere Z655 a reliable lawnmower?
Yes, as long as you clean it from time to time, the John Deere Z655 is extremely dependable. The engine power and design are pretty amazing with this lawnmower.
Furthermore, the unit features a state-of-the-art Cyclonic air-management system which prevents dirt and micro-particles from getting into the machine pretty efficiently.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to get a new riding lawnmower for your home, the John Deere Z655 ticks all the right boxes. It has more than enough power and cutting width to accommodate lawns of any size. And it’s zero-turn design allows you to navigate any terrain with little to no hassle.
But then again, the cost of not taking care of this machine can be quite high. And if you continue to neglect your maintenance duties, it won’t be too long before you have to deal with complete engine shutdown or component failures.
So, service your lawnmower regularly to keep it performing in its peak condition. I hope my article on John Deere Z655 problems could help you identify and resolve any issues that you might be having with this lawnmower. Good luck!
