30 second oil change - NEW oil and filter system

[jgayman]

That's a crazy sales gimmick John Deere dreamed up.

Now that you've saved so much time by changing the whole sump, what do you do with this oil-filled hazmat unit? Who accepts oil-filled filters and how do you get it there without making a mess? Is it a 4-hour drive to the nearest filter-recycling place?

Does the aftermath take longer to deal with ---- than to change oil the old way?

Deere has stated that dealers will be accepting the old Quick Change cartridges.

 

[jgayman]

I doubt there is much mess, likely a valve in the tip like a quick connect hyd. coupler.

Considering the filter is basically upside down as you remove it I suspect you are correct about a valve. Although I doubt it is as sophisticated as a quick change hydraulic coupler. It is probably nothing more than a spring loaded rubber gasket that closes against the holes.

 

[Agvg]

Must be brilliant, easy to change, no mess with old oil, so easy that the average user can do it, no errors refilling new oil. Quite sure it cheaper than let the dealer do an ordinary oil change. And the disposal should not be a problem, you have to recycle the oil anyway so deliver a oil can or this must be much the same.

 

[4570Man]

Anyone not capable of doing such a straight forward task as changing lawn mower oil shouldn’t own a lawnmower.

 

[aczlan]

Anyone not capable of doing such a straight forward task as changing lawn mower oil shouldn’t own a lawnmower.

I can see it for those who dont work on their own cars and dont have (or want to have) an oil drain pan to keep around.

Aaron Z

 

[4570Man]

I can see it for those who dont work on their own cars and dont have (or want to have) an oil drain pan to keep around.

Aaron Z

Changing oil on a lawnmower is easier than changing most vehicle oil. Most lawnmowers have a oil drain tube out the side and the filter on the side.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Anyone not capable of doing such a straight forward task as changing lawn mower oil shouldn稚 own a lawnmower.

Well it's a good thing you don't dictate policy.

It's not about ability anyhow. This new system is much faster, and in theory much cleaner, than a traditional oil change. Thus your average suburbanite schlub is more likely to do it, as it requires the least amount of time and effort possible. This then results in more oil changes being done, improving the lifespan of the machine- improving Deere's image- and also allowing them to cash in on a proprietary system.

I owned a D160 for 7 years, and it was an excellent lawn tractor. I also understood it's limitations. It's a great machine for it's intended purpose. Is it a 30 year machine? No, but neither is any other new machine in it's price point. However with proper maintenance they are capable of being 15 year machines.

I like servicing my machines, but I'm strange like that. The average person doesn't. They view preventative maintenance as a PITA. This will either improve the overall long-term reliability of the 100 series, or backfire and tank it.

 

[tomplum]

It will all be for nil when the air filter is so dirty it starts drawing dirt into the engine, the oil consumption starts and connecting rod set breaks. Or the valve guides migrate because the cooling system hasn't been cleaned. Or when it can't steer due to never being greased. Or the deck spindles fail because of the same. See a pattern here? Doing a third of an oil change and thinking you did your maintenance- hopefully the kit comes with a dunce cap.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Well it's a good thing you don't dictate policy.

It's not about ability anyhow. This new system is much faster, and in theory much cleaner, than a traditional oil change. Thus your average suburbanite schlub is more likely to do it, as it requires the least amount of time and effort possible. This then results in more oil changes being done, improving the lifespan of the machine- improving Deere's image- and also allowing them to cash in on a proprietary system.

I owned a D160 for 7 years, and it was an excellent lawn tractor. I also understood it's limitations. It's a great machine for it's intended purpose. Is it a 30 year machine? No, but neither is any other new machine in it's price point. However with proper maintenance they are capable of being 15 year machines.

I like servicing my machines, but I'm strange like that. The average person doesn't. They view preventative maintenance as a PITA. This will either improve the overall long-term reliability of the 100 series, or backfire and tank it.

That was a great post on so many different levels.

 

[Deere Dude]

If you hate the mess I usually get in a normal oil change, this would be a great deal.

If you hire someone to change oil for you and pay $40 an hour for labor, 30 seconds is a money saver over 20 minutes. I am quite sure DIYers get a chuckle out of this but for the white collar professional who still wants maintenance done to their little yard mower, this may be a good idea. He could even do it himself, maybe.

 

[Agvg]

This might be interesting for the pro market to, time is money, 30 sec, no skills required could increase lifetime on small engine equipment. A lot of users both home and pro can't wrench anything advanced. It easy to think that it's so easy to change oil but no, it isn't easy and demands tools and skills which many don't have or have any interest in getting.

 

[goeduck]

Why bother changing the oil in those mowers? Its not like the rest of the machine is going to outlast the oil.

I have a cheap Chinese engine on a Cub walk behind mower that I bought at HD in a pinch about 5 years ago when my 2 stroke Lawnboy blew its plug and I had company coming over. Never changed its oil, I don稚 think it is worth regular maintenance. I have had to repair it twice with parts laying around the shop.

 

[goeduck]

This might be interesting for the pro market to, time is money, 30 sec, no skills required could increase lifetime on small engine equipment. A lot of users both home and pro can't wrench anything advanced. It easy to think that it's so easy to change oil but no, it isn't easy and demands tools and skills which many don't have or have any interest in getting.

A least it would have a filter which most small engines do not. Or are these only on riders? How are people to dispose of them, in the city Garbage? I dispose of my filters at the local transfer station after draining them upside down for a long time.

 

[4570Man]

A least it would have a filter which most small engines do not. Or are these only on riders? How are people to dispose of them, in the city Garbage? I dispose of my filters at the local transfer station after draining them upside down for a long time.

I drain the regular filters upside down overnight or maybe longer if I forget about them and toss them in the trash.

 

[jgayman]

A least it would have a filter which most small engines do not. Or are these only on riders? How are people to dispose of them, in the city Garbage? I dispose of my filters at the local transfer station after draining them upside down for a long time.

I read somewhere that Deere dealers will accept the old filters.

 

[crazyal]

I noticed them when I was looking for a filter for my x500. I think as long as you change your oil on a routine schedule you're probably fine. While it doesn't get all the old oil out it does increase the amount of oil in the engine so in theory the oil isn't as dirty. Plus with today's oils going longer between changes it may work out just fine. The problem is that for about 2/3 the cost I can do an old fashion oil change changing all the oil and using synthetic. It just doesn't take that long to remove the drain plug and let the oil drain while greasing the tractor.

 

[sklunk]

As other posts above have said Deere dealers will accept the old quick-change filters. They will have special equipment that will suck the oil out of them and then collect the used oil.

I agree that it's not too hard to change your own oil the "regular" way. But setup/cleanup can be a pain for some people especially the ones who own this size mower (probably living in suburban developments with nice lawns/driveways/garages and not a "tool shed" to change the oil in). Since Deere dealers will be accepting the old filters if it were me I would pull the old one off first, cover the filter hole on the engine, then head off to my local dealer to pick up the replacement one. Once you get home you just spin it on and your ready to go.

To each his own. I don't mind changing my own oil but I still need to make a trip to the dealer and it costs me almost $20 for the parts. I can see where somebody may like the Quick-Change since there is no mess, much less time, and it may end up only costing a little more. For many people the extra $15-$20 is worth less hassle and mess.

 

[goeduck]

I supposed if they are made with a lid that screws on to keep the oil contained it is not a bad idea if the filter price is right. I always liked my vehicles that had a filter that screwed in in the 100% vertical position. A lot less slop that way.

 

[jgayman]

I supposed if they are made with a lid that screws on to keep the oil contained it is not a bad idea if the filter price is right. I always liked my vehicles that had a filter that screwed in in the 100% vertical position. A lot less slop that way.

Interesting point. So far no one has posted a photo of what the new JD Easy Change filter looks like so we can see if it has any type of lid. Although since the filter is mounted upside down it almost HAS to have some sort of spring loaded valve that automatically closes when the filter is released. Otherwise as soon as the filter was turned you would have oil everywhere and the Easy Change system wouldn't be so easy. ;-)

Finding a vertically mounted (right side up) filter in anything these days is rare. Engineers seem obsessed with mounting engine and hydraulic filters sideways for maximum pleasure when changing.

 

[4570Man]

I saw some sitting on the shelf at the JD dealer. Unless someone beats me to it I'll stop buy and take a picture.