[Calvin Wiles]

Just bought a New John Deere D140. I would like to know alternative maintenance, like lubricants, filters, and products that you think are as good, or better, than the John Deere products. I'm always looking for things to make what I have last longer and work better. One might wonder why someone my age is concerned how long they last, but if I can't wear them out, my Children, and Grandchildren can later. I haven't had time to use the search function much, but I intend to .

 

[Austen]

Any quality lubricant will work just as well as any of the JD made products. When it comes to lubricants, a lot of it really just comes down to the marketing. As long as they come from a reputable name company, I would not have any worries running it as long as it's per the correct viscosity JD recommeneds for specific application. In other words, choose your favorite brand. Same goes for the filters as well.

 

[bwdbrn1]

Ditto to Austen's post. As long as you are sticking with the recommended viscosity and such for your lubricants, I don't see where you'd have a problem. So far as filters and the like, again, looking around at other dealers and parts suppliers should get you a pretty good selection of prices to choose from.

Searching here, and maybe sending a private message or two to some of the other members who have John Deere equipment to find out what they use, and why, might be helpful to you.

 

[Brad]

When I am not using Deere filters for my machines, I like to use a cross match NAPA filter. They are made by Wix and are supposed to be one of the better brands available.

 

[xcopterdoc]

Due to the low frequency of servicing, I would stick to the JD stuff. You can get the kit for around 40 bucks. Everything is included, as well as piece of mind. I would also add to your list, a good fuel stabilizer and ethonal fighter. Keep no more than one months use of fuel on hand. Most of the problems we see after the first 20 hrs of use, is bad fuel or bad fuel related problems. Keep your blades sharp. JD blades are of a good quality and priced right. A sharp blade cuts better, makes the grass look good and is less stress on your engine. Saves fuel and belts too.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

To each his own on the use of alternatives. On my old lawnmowers I always figured oil was oil and if it was good enough for a car it should work in them. But after buying the Deere I've stuck with either the Deere maintenance kits or Kohler brand/model specific parts.

Part of it is my thinking how things are not made like they used to be and also are more picky now with lightweight metals and plastics, fuel conservation, and pollution regulations coming into play. Also part of it is I work in electronics. There have always been third party cheaper replacements available. But the replacements overall tended to be of lower quality thus shorter life and sometimes in trying to cover more parts with a single product you ended up with a component that was running at the fringe of it's designed operating range compared to the OE part which had a little more "head room" spec'd by the engineers that designed the circuit. (One good current example of that is replacement DLP TV lamps you find on the internet for 1/4 of the price of an OE replacement. Some are spec'd right out of the factory at half the life and lower lumen output compared to the OE lamp they replace.) Unless you happen to have a friend in the right place with a manufacture you seldom ever find those kind of design specs on the public side to really know for sure what if any differences there are.

You still tend to get what you pay for most of the time. The competition in market price amongst manufactures really guarantees it in my opinion.

 

[Calvin Wiles]

Will the high mileage synthetic oils, like amsoil work better than regular oils?

 

[AMSOIL]

Will the high mileage synthetic oils, like amsoil work better than regular oils?

Hello Calvin and welcome! I'm the Technical voice for Amsoil and will be happy to answer your questions in regards to lubrication for your JD. Amsoil is the better choice than regular oils because it is not made from crude oil as its base which has Pariffin and Sulpher and in turn causes sludging and varnish in motors. I would recommend you do your research and make an informed decision. Thanks for your question!

 

[Calvin Wiles]

I got 8.5 hrs. with the Break in Oil, and changed oil and filter. I used a Napa Filter and OW-40 4-Stroke Power Sports Amsoil. Cleaned the air filter and greased the chassis. The air filter was pretty dirty, I'll clean it oftener than 8 hr. probably after each mowing, since its easy to take off and on. I found a tilt-bed 5x12 used equipment trailer to haul it on. I really like it.