John Deere L130 Problems: Reasons And How To Troubleshoot?

If you are a John Deere L130 owner, you are no stranger to some John Deere L130 Problems that most users run into.

This article will discuss some of the most common problems a John Deere L130 user might face and talk about some possible solutions.

Common Problems With John Deere L130

John Deere L130 problems

Here is a list of these problems:

  • Transmission Issues
  • Rear End Problem
  • PTO Clutch Issues
  • Steering Problems
  • Carburetor Malfunctioning
  • Starting Problems

Let’s talk about these problems and respective troubleshooting solutions one by one.

John Deere L130 Transmission Problems

Transmissions issues can be very frustrating as they can reduce your tractor’s ability to get up to slopes or steep hills, although the engine is fully functional.

This problem is a bit complicated. Depending on the condition of the hyperstatic transmission, it may require a reassembly, changing the fluid, or replace the transmission under warranty.

  • Check the drive belt first as a damaged or slipped belt can stop your tractor from moving properly, which is not directly a transmission problem but undoubtedly can feel like one.
  • Transmission fluids can cause the issue, but you can do nothing with models like L120, L130, or L140 as there is no option to replace the fluid from outside.

John Deere L130 Rear End Problems

Here, the rear end problems refer to issues with the transaxle located at the rear end of the tractor just between the back wheels. It’s a similar problem with the JD LT155 mower as well.

Simply put, a transaxle is a mechanical part with the transmission and other ancillary systems assembled and integrated under one single mechanism.

If your transmission is getting weak over the last few months or losing the drive, there is a good chance that it’s happening because of the issue with the transaxle at the back.

First, have a look at some initial reasons that can cause the problem.

  • Look out for any stick or debris that’s stuck with the transaxle. If you find any, get rid of it and reinstall the belt.
  • If the loss of drive is sudden, then it’s very much possible that the drive pulley on the transmission input shaft has been stripped out. If that’s the case, with a new pulley costing around 30-40$ and few hand tools, you’ll be back in business in no time.

If it’s none of the above, there are two possible scenarios here for you.

  • Send the transaxle for warranty. If you run out of warranty, reassembling the hydrostatic transaxle can be a solution, though the rebuild is very trick, and only a handful of people with expertise can get good results out of it. If you don’t have the confidence, you can always opt to buy a new system.
  • You can buy a transaxle upgrade kit instead of getting a new one like the in-built system. It might be a bit costly, but the performance improvement is worth the extra bucks you spend.

John Deere L130 PTO Clutch Problems

PTO clutch problems

The PTO (Power take-off) clutch is used to transfer the power from the engine to a different part of a tractor when needed.

Worn or damaged wire on top of the PTO clutch is a very usual reason causing it to fail and therefore blowing off the fuse and switch frequently.

When you engage the PTO clutch, the wire wears out by the motion and shorts on the tractor’s body and causes the problem. Let’s show you how you can fix this problem.

  • Step 1: Disconnect the PTO clutch first. Find out where the wires are going and unplug them.
  • Step 2: Remove the guard over the PTO clutch by unscrewing the bolt holding the guard.
  • Step 3: Now, as you have the PTO clutch fully detached, clean it and repair the wire. After fixing, tie wrap both the wire to prevent any damage in the future.
  • Step 4: Put the PTO clutch back in place and plug the wires in again. Finally, If your PTO switch was blown out previously, replace it with a new one that has the same connector pins.

Fixing the wire and changing the switch should solve the problem. Upon finishing, please give it a good test run and repeatedly turn the switch and off to make sure it’s functioning correctly. 

John Deere L130 Steering Problems

Over time, you might notice that your L130 tractor is getting more and more challenging to steer. Either it’s too stiff or loose, and the turning radius can get shorter. You will experience a similar problem with the JD X320 mower as well.

First, look beneath the steering wheel all the way to the bottom to get a look at the bushing, and pinion gear, as both of these can be the cause of this problem.

  • It starts slipping when the pinion is worn out and doesn’t turn the sector gear that turns the front wheel for steering.
  • In the case of the worn-out bushing, the two main steering gears become mismatched, and the excessive friction wears out the teeth, thus affecting the steering of the tractor.

Depending on the problem, changing the pinion, bushing, or the sector plate should solve the problem for you.

John Deere L130 Carburator Problems

L130 carburetor problems

The carburetor is that particular part that mixes the air and oil at the proper ratio for a combustion engine.

A faulty carburetor can easily create issues with the engine properly. And if you see the engine surging with the choke off, that’s most likely because of a dirty carburetor.

  • Start by taking off the carburetor. Unscrew the nuts that hold the carburetor with the engine. Separate the plastic and metal parts.
  • Rub the parts with a piece of cloth to remove grease or dirt buildup. Then, use a carburetor cleaner additive to clean it properly.
  • Before assembly, blow air with a compressor to remove extra moisture.

Though these parts are not directly a part of the carburetor, the oil filter and oil line can cause your carburetor malfunction too.

  • Remove the oil filter and check the fuel lines if it’s clogged, and clean it. Replacing the fuel is a great idea too.
  • Replace the previous oil filter with a new standard oil filter and connect the oil line with the filter again.

John Deere L130 Starting Problems

There can be several reasons why your tractor is facing difficulties with starting. A tractor is a complicated machine that needs all its parts to function correctly to start and work.

Let’s take a peek at some of the primary causes and their possible solutions.

  • Reason 1: Battery Issue

Solution: Check out if the battery is in the proper condition and delivering enough juice to run the machine. When buying a new battery, check out the specifications first and buy according to your tractor.

If the battery is fine, the issue is probably with the power cables connecting to different parts.

  • Reason 2: Dry Cylinders

Solution: If no oil spills out when you remove the spark plug, that’s probably because the cylinders are dry.

Spray any good oil enhancer or fuel treatment available in the market, spray them in the cylinder, and start again.

Conclusion

Tractors are an essential part of farming and agricultural activities. However, as tractors these days are getting more advanced every day, with the increasing number of benefits, they are easily prone to different sorts of problems.

Like any machinery we use in our daily lives, tractors can have their issues too, and there is absolutely nothing to worry about if your John Deere L130  runs into problems.

However, as tractors are consist of different complicated parts, it’s easy to have performance issues when a particular part malfunctions.

As you have read our article thoroughly, we hope it helps you to understand different parts better, figure out the John Deere L130 problems you are having and solve them easily at home.

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6 thoughts on “John Deere L130 Problems: Reasons And How To Troubleshoot?”

  1. I have a John Deere l130 and I was cutting my grass and the blade stopped working and couldn’t get it started back up. What can be the problem? Please help

  2. My L-130 A suddenly stopped its forward movement and I was worried that some major transmission issue had caused this failure. I pushed it to the garage and got some light into the underside to see that the main (upper) drive belt had slipped off of the tensioner pulley. A few moments with a 15mm deep socket had the pulley loose. A quick reposition with the footpedal depressed and retightening had the issue resolved.
    A lot of worry for no reason.

  3. Fresh battery new plugs gaped at .018 new fuel filter new air filter carburetor cleaned and will not start until I spray engine start into the carburetor. then it runs just fine.

  4. Fresh battery new plugs gaped at .018 new fuel filter new air filter carburetor cleaned and will not start until I spray engine start into the carburetor. then it runs just fine. Its a John Deere L130

  5. i replaced the p t o clutch thst came off john deer La145 i have a L130 auto, it works but the pto belt rubbs when deck blades ar enjade.john deer said pto would work. will it.?????

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