X540

[ATCtech]

The electric clutch was changed Tuesday. (Yes, warranty.) The tech looked up the model and searched on "PTO" on the Deere internal database and said it was the first thing to come up on the x540. I asked if the replacement design had been changed and he said "Not yet, it shows under investigation" and "Change as required" in their system. Based on that, until Deere re-engineers the clutch, I'd suspect anyone having that problem would have a "hidden warranty" situation. The lower bearing is the problem. We put my old one on his bench in the truck and it took large channel lock pliers to turn it manually,, with a real bad scraping sound when it did turn. The new one spun freely by hand.

Bob

 

[daBear]

I am on my third $165 dollar clutch now and just this past weekend started having another fairly familiar scraping noise. I am taking the deck off this weekend of my old JD 285 and looking to see what's up now. I have about 900 hours on this water cooled KW engine and at about 600 hours the plastic cam gear let go. That cost me over $300 in just parts and there was no hidden warranty although the plastic cam gear problem is widely known in JD garden tractor circles. I am about ready to pee on the fire and call the dogs in. Because of the electric clutch issues I have had I will not be back. I do not know what else I could be expected to do under the circumstances.

 

[ATCtech]

Within a month of exactly one year since the electric clutch on my X540 was replaced a new noise has cropped up, also from under the chassis and only with the deck running. Instead of a squeal, this time it's a chatter, like a bearing might be going. I'll be at the dealer on Monday anyway and will arrange a service call. Results of that to follow in the next week or so.

My first question will be to ask if the clutch has been redesigned in the last year.

Bob

Edit: Removed the deck drive belt and the same noise is present only when electric clutch is engaged. Guess we know what it is!

 

[ATCtech]

And a final update... the electric clutch was replaced today, within 3 days of the anniversary of it being replaced last year, and only about 35 run-time hours later.

The new part is the same part number and design as the last, so it wouldn't appear a redesign has taken place yet. The JD tech bulletin still shows "under investigation" on their internal database.

 

[Rand]

I've had the X540 for almost two seasons and haven't had any real problems with it. I agree that the electric clutch is a possible issue, but with approx. 200 hrs. I've yet to have an problem. When I was looking at other machines I also considered the X700 series mowers, but figured if I was going that high I might just as well go for the 2305. Ended up doing just that a year later. The 2305 comes with PTO, diesel engine, and the ability to use a wide variety of implements.

 

[daBear]

I've had the X540 for almost two seasons and haven't had any real problems with it. I agree that the electric clutch is a possible issue, but with approx. 200 hrs. I've yet to have an problem. When I was looking at other machines I also considered the X700 series mowers, but figured if I was going that high I might just as well go for the 2305. Ended up doing just that a year later. The 2305 comes with PTO, diesel engine, and the ability to use a wide variety of implements.

I agree. I am not real popular among the X700 etc, crowd with my opinion that if you get into the X700 series you might as well get an actual tractor that has all the capabilities the 2305 has rather than a lawnmower with some tractor features. However, when you make statements like that you are normally beaten.

 

[jcmseven]

As it should be......the x series is a fine machine and capable of the same tasks as a 2305, if not better, aside from loader work, where the 2305 is a better choice.

John M

 

[LBrown59]

1*I agree. I am not real popular among the X700 etc, crowd with my opinion that if you get into the X700 series you might as well get an actual tractor that has all the capabilities the 2305 has rather than a lawnmower with some tractor features.
1*However, when you make statements like that you are normally beaten.

1*- 2*So it's happened 2 u 2.