Getting a John Deere L130 Lawn Tractor Going Again

[@jimlandreth555]

17 YEAR OLD MOWER , KILLER ENGINE , CUTS GREAT !

[@Huntersprojects]

I just picked up a free L130 I must say they’re massive absolutely huge for a lawn tractor can’t wait to dig into it I love the kohler Vtwins

[@yourpro3653]

The last time I tried to hose off a john deere almost all paint came off. Cool video!!

[@toddnaplestileguy]

I like this video,i just bought one two hours ago for 400,I gave him 450,Great humble guy :)

[@bradfordbowman8203]

I have one I got for 300$ almost 4 years ago. This past winter has me not running and looking into fixes, thank you bud

[@thasty100]

I don’t know why people let these mowers sit outside and just let them rot . I have a 2004 l130 and the deck looks brand new actually the mower it self looks brand new. I replaced the spindles with oem John Deere spindles with grease fittings. The originals didn’t have them . To be honest the originals probably could have lasted a few more years but I decided to replace them so I could grease them. I just changed the transmission fluid and the magnet at the filler cap didn’t have any metal filings at all. The oil inside the transmission look brand new. I can’t explain it. The mower has always been keep inside and the top of the deck has always been cleaned after every cut. Oil changed with synthetic every year. Greased every season. Under deck is cleaned but nothing is there because I coat it to keep it from rusting. The point is. I’ve got a 2004 that is still running strong , looks brand new because I take care of it.

[@hanksgarage_]

I can tell you that if I ever bought one new I’d be the same way.

[@andybub45]

I have a John Deere LT150 Automatic with a broken deck, but it has a working Kohler Command 15HP engine. Got it from a wanted ad I posted that I had forgot about so long ago. Payed $220. Great tractor. Just needs to get the deck welded. It was made around the same time that one was, 2000-2003

[@theman5716]

I was given a l130 and it needed a lot of maint. as your doing. I would suggest a couple hr of removal of the k-46 trans. It comes with 10w-30. It needs 5w-50 full synthetic,2 quarts if I remember. Mine had 530 hrs and was sluggish and barley reversed. Took it apart,cleaned everything in side put back together, and it runs like new. There are utube vids that show how to do it. Hardest part is waiting 24 hrs to let the case sealer set. This is a mid size jd lawn tractor but serves me well on aprox. 2 acres of lawn mowing.

[@G56AG]

I had my 20 yr old JD ST38, it had about an inch of play in the steering wheel, so I looked at my 2 yr old JD D130, and it had the same amount of play, so I figured it was just the nature of the beast.

[@paullawrenz4353]

What did you use to repair the fuel tank crack? I can only fill the tank 1/2 way before it leaks. I took a $60 LX288 in the same condition...gave it new fuel filter/fresh fuel, cleaned/checked spark plugs, it turned over and started. I then bought battery and it cranked on its own. Replaced leaking fuel pump for $9 off Amazon.

[@sgtjameslindsey2493]

Hey, I'm disabled and it's hard for me to get down on my hands and knees, but can you tell me where to find the year model on my john deere L130 mower? I need to get parts to rebuild my mower deck and need to make sure I'm getting the right year model.

[@rcgillsympaticoca]

I've got the same. Should be a sticker/plate right behind the left rear tire, under the fender. Easy to take a photo of.

[@alssmallengines]

other than the steering bushing that was a relatively easy fix, gotta love a freebie that starts right up! I've had zero issues with my JD, I'd say you'll be really happy with it once you get it all squared away.

[@andybub45]

Hey! It's even got a Kohler! Nice!

[@markhouston9638]

I just got a L-130 been sitting in a barn for 4 years. About ready to work on it today. I have no manuals with it wondering if there is a hydraulic tank some place? This machine has the same Steering Issue you have with the wheels towed outward. adjust the drag links so the will match up with the rear wheels.

[@jglow22]

manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMGX21647_K3/Output/OMGX21647_K35.html

[@raymondcampbell2346]

Good find. So far so good. Try taking the battery out of your craftsman to see if you have a drag on starting. If so the job might need adjusting. Got watch out on the newer tractors. They are putting Kohler Courage engines on them. They are Chinese built with super thin crankcases. They have had internal issues, like the oil slinger and governor turning loose and busting the connecting rod sending it through the block. The Kohler Command engines are still decent, but steer clear of the Courage engine.

[@hanksgarage_]

interesting, kohler has turned into a weird brand, I never expected them to start cheapening out so much, atleast the commands are still good, the older cv12 on my craftsman seems to be a good motor as well. Thats too bad they are not all that great anymore...

[@tonymacdonald2870]

That looked like fun really look forward to seeing more. Could tell you loved what your doing, All the best.

[@hanksgarage_]

oh yea I get a kick out of it haha

[@bradleyyuckel6894]

Yea I was thinking about attempting the rebuild myself, I've got the old faithful Poulan that I'm using now, very similar to your craftsman, but I'm thinking maybe this winter I'll attempt the rebuild. I'm in upstate N.Y. so I'll have plenty of time to mess with it then. Thanks for the video though, keep em coming..

[@williamharris5866]

Heat quench

[@andybub45]

What kind of pressure washer is that? I use a Ryobi 2800 PSI with a Honda engine. Works amazing at removing dirt from the things I fix and cleans grass clumps from under the mower deck with no problem.

[@hanksgarage_]

its a husky branded one

[@elevatorman427]

I dont need another mower but, if I could ever run across the right one I would love to pick up a used L130. Unfortunately around my area in good shape used L130s on craiglist go 600-800 dollars sometimes more. One not in the best shape but, not the worst I think I seen once go between 300 and 400. They seem like a pretty decent machine.

[@hanksgarage_]

That’s about right

[@elevatorman427]

@@hanksgarage_ My neighbor across the road has one that 23 hp Kohler Command that all the L130s had is a good engine but, I know everytime they cut theirs off its followed just about by a loud bang. I know a lot of times newer engines especially Kohler with fuel shut off solenoids on carb bowl its reccomended to shut them off at full throttle to help prevent backfire. I have a briggs motor on a mower that will backfire shutting down on idle but, can kill it on full throttle never backfires at all.

[@bradleyyuckel6894]

I've heard the motors are usually good for about 1000 hours. Nice work man.. I currently have the same mower with a bad tranny, buying a $500 new one just isn't an option. So it's a boat anchor for now

[@hanksgarage_]

that sucks man, they can be rebuilt for about half that if you want to bother with it. Yea the trans on these are well known to not last....

[@thomasrodgers8976]

tuff torq k46 if you run across one on ebay or somewhere.

[@trucks_n_tractors_6335]

Thomas Rodgers they are about 350 new from tuff torq

[@fredhart5033]

Hank, sure wish I had my LA145 at your garage, I have worked and worked on it, but with the new drive traction belt installed it still will not pull itself on a slight hill or sharp turn, Just hope the transaxle is not toast, guess they are making them every day, What is your thoughts on going back to something like a wheel horse 312-4 that has a manual transmission Would that be a heavier duty machine and I would not have to worry about burning up these light duty transaxles, Just asking your humble opinion,

[@hanksgarage_]

Definitely go with a manual trans. These hydros aren’t all that good. Yours is probably junk unfortunately

[@fredhart5033]

Hank's Small Engine Repair Thanks for your reply,

[@larrymcdaniel2304]

Do you know how to remove the hood on the L130?

[@treyhayes9642]

Open to 90° lift hood straight up about half inch pull entire hood still at 90° forward

[@DaCoder]

Damn, didn't expect it to fire up so easily. Also thoughts on those 2 cylinder v engines? I see them tons at the home depot, lowes, sears, etc.

[@hanksgarage_]

Sean Slater neither did I but I'm thinking he drained all the fuel out other than having to take apart the steering column it wasn't all that hard to get it going. Only a few hours between cleaning and fixing that bushing. The motors are decent from what I have seen. Troy bilt has a fuel injected one as well, though I'm pretty sure it's a Chinese sourced motor. This jd included my only real issue with newer tractors is that they are not built all that well compared to the ones from a few decades ago. But oh well gotta live with it

[@freddym7425]

Hank would you have any idea why my JD cuts the grass but won’t throw it in the bagger

[@hanksgarage_]

Is there a mulching plug in the way of the airpath?

[@kevinmiller4486]

Do you have the high lift blades?

[@baire702]

Hi, I have a JD D125 and the rpms are very high. How do I get them down so I can use the mower? Thanks! -Caryl

[@hanksgarage_]

Carb may need to be cleaned. I have a vid up on how to clean them

[@baire702]

Hank's Small Engine Repair would a dirty carb cause it to run in full throttle? The mower is about 2-3 years old and in the last 2 weeks someone put 1 year old gas in tank.

[@Roostertailin]

Governor might be shot or need adjustment.

[@epitaphbartholomew7587]

It’s a John Deere. You can leave the thing sit for 5 years. Give it a little TLC and it will start up like new. It’s pretty much impossible to kill one of these...

[@johnw6389]

I was looking for the grass to cut... :o) .. oh there' some grass..... or is that weeds.. :o)

[@hanksgarage_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmPCpIiAorFohtU

[@hogrydr100]

not a bad job/video. working with one hand and doing the video with the other.

[@coreysmith1474]

Wipe new would make that plastic and paint shine like new if you go to sell it.

[@hanksgarage_]

I think I will be keeping this one but I will keep that in mind though

[@Rusty-the-datsun]

I have a 20 year old john deere l100 like the just got the fuse and lights replaced

[@Roostertailin]

They made these in 1998? I think the "L" series tarted in 2000 or 2001. Not sure.

[@rickastely95]

Roostertailin'3000 la pretty sure started in 03, but during the 90’s it was the LT model, like LT 155

[@johnhouston4899]

Man you might have to change your name to Hanksjohndeere lol.

[@hanksgarage_]

haha thats funny man

[@bobbywinchester7425]

Great video man. This must be a guy thing because about the 11:13 mark I was saying the same words to myself as you said them! Good Stuff

[@hanksgarage_]

haha yea I guess it is!

[@andybub45]

I have the Ryobi version of the pressure washer.

[@thomasgamino3407]

Crisp Cuts Landscaping install grass catcher

[@PatrickGriffithCUP1986]

Could those assholes make it any harder to take the bowl off the carb on an L120? Gotta take the throttle/choke cable bracket of just to get my shortest screw driver in the screws. Who puts screws on a carburetor bowl? But, there's a fucking spring on the back of the cable bracket that I struggled for 15 minutes to disconnect from the motor before I said fuck it. I'll just live for now with a clogged jet in the carb that's making it necessary to give it a shot of starting fluid to make it run.

[@hanksgarage_]

I have a video up on how to clean the carb on these do a search. Kohler carb clean in my video list on my channel.

[@PatrickGriffithCUP1986]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[@PatrickGriffithCUP1986]

Wait. Mine's a 22 hp Briggs & Stratton V-twin. Completely different.

[@hanksgarage_]

Ah yea on those you have to take the intake off to get the carb out I think the fan screen on the flywheel has to come off too to get to bolts. Been a while since I’ve done one of them.

[@danielc.1227]

theres no beter price then free

[@hanksgarage_]

agreed

[@danielc.1227]

yea

[@thelawnmowerboy9646]

Where has crapsman (craftsman) gone?

[@hanksgarage_]

Long been sold

[@kevinmiller4486]

That looks beat. My 30 yr old stx38 is in better shape.

[@hanksgarage_]

Cool story bro