Green Tractor Talk banner

John Deere Easy Change 30-Second Oil Change System

1 reading
61K views 118 replies 36 participants last post by  ImagineThat  
#1 ·
John Deere Easy Change™ 30-Second Oil Change System


Hmmm, so it's a filter and partial oil change in a self contained package. I guess that it's better than what a lot of the people that buy this series tractor would do maintenance wise.
 
#3 ·
So unless these engines are a dry sump design, you are only doing a partial oil change as Bubber noted. The cartridge is cool, but give me a complete oil change. :good2:
 
#11 ·
Yup. If that type of a cartridge/oil combo were hanging off the bottom of the engine sump somehow, you could shut the engine off, wait for the oil to drain down, change it and be done and you'd change out all of the oil. But this reminds me of the days when you'd go to Jiffy Lube and they'd change your oil without changing the filter.

I wonder what the new maintenance schedule for this is? Maybe they've dropped it down to every 20 hours so that your oil never gets a chance to get dirty...
 
#8 ·
They don't have the E's on the website yet.

I wonder how the price of this new quick change cartridge compares to the cost of a conventional filter and 2 quarts of oil?
 
#5 ·
Looks to me like that filter can't hold more than a quart of oil, so at best you may be changing half of the oil.

Ranks right up there with the people who don't change the oil in their car/truck because it leaks and burns so much oil that they add a quart every other week. They figure they over a few months that they have changed their oil since they have put in 4 quarts.
 
#16 ·
My best guess is. B&S is trying to sell you on never HAVING to change the oil. Maybe JD is not comfortable enough with that "new technology " on the B&S engines that they install. So they came up with this new system. Figuring a partial oil change is better than none at all.

One of the YouTube comments was. I have a 12 year old B&S engine that I never changed the oil in and it still runs fine. lol
 
#9 ·
Interesting concept. If there was a way to change out most of the oil with a method like that it would be slick. It does look like a half-baked solution though, if it only replaces a portion of the total engine oil. If it was really cheap then that wouldn't be so bad... Just do that a couple times a year. But you know that fancy cartridge is going to jack the price up so you'll be paying 3x the cost of a normal change. Plus, how do you recycle the old oil? I suppose Deere will have you bring the used cartridge back to a dealer and they'll have some expensive machine to purge the oil out of it. Hmmm... maybe if the cartridge were actually re-usable (like a core deposit thing) then it could be done more cheaply?

Rob
 
#13 ·
Here's the downside as I see it: Partial oil change; Ever Increasing cost for that stupid filter; having to bring it to a dealer for disposal?; another clunky part bolted on to your engine.

Here's the good side: Caters to the lazy, but comes at an ever increasing price; a real break thru for those who fear getting their hands dirty; No PTSD's caused by the touching of a wrench; wife won't complain about your getting oil on you clean work gloves, shirt, pant & shoes. And we all know a happy wife is a happy life. :laugh:
 
#15 ·
Here's the downside as I see it: Partial oil change; Ever Increasing cost for that stupid filter; having to bring it to a dealer for disposal?; another clunky part bolted on to your engine.

Here's the good side: Caters to the lazy, but comes at an ever increasing price; a real break thru for those who fear getting their hands dirty; No PTSD's caused by the touching of a wrench; wife won't complain about your getting oil on you clean work gloves, shirt, pant & shoes. And we all know a happy wife is a happy life. :laugh:
You just know people aren't going to turn back into the dealers 1 for every 3 "filter kits" sold at the dealers. It's just like anything else, people are inherently lazy and will take the easy route, which means those oil filters will likely end up in the land fills at a higher rate than Deere dealers squishing and draining them.........Not that this is by any means a good thing, but I can see it already.
 
#14 ·
I see this as a very clever marketing campaign for Deere. First, they pitch the "Think of all the money you will save" by not having to involve the dealer service depart or "Get your hands all dirty" doing oil changes and the "You can do it yourself", with of course, the dealer sold filter kit. So this pretty much requires the owner to buy the oil change kit from Deere now, which brings them into the dealerships (there will be some who will buy it online) and every time they are in the dealership, it's an opportunity to interest them in something else.

And the flip side is by not changing all of the oil and draining the debris and crud from the bottom of the oil pan, the engine likely won't last as long which will require a new tractor sale........another sales opportunity for Deere.

I recently read a study about the attitudes of consumers on their expectations of purchase longevity and usefulness before obsolescence of some type. The conclusion is that younger people don't have near the expectations of their purchase lasting as does those of us over age 50. Much of the "social pressure" to encourage new purchases is driven by social media and the "look what I got" attitude. So, the days of the consumer expectation of their items lasting and lasting seem to be aging into obsolescence with us........which in the end means more sales for manufacturers.

I know for a fact that major appliance manufacturers are now planning a 5 year life span on appliances because "the old one's lasted too long and people weren't replacing them often enough". Well, when I spend $2,000 on a refrigerator and it's junk in 5 years, fat chance of me ever buying that brand again, but apparently they feel with the mentality where some / many people have to upgrade their cell phones with every release, some will want to upgrade their appliances more often.......Not me.
 
#20 ·
A new filter and some oil is definitely better then many people do. Then there are those that change oil but not the filter.

I would assume there is still a conventional drain plug for those who care enough to do it right.

One thought is if this filter is expensive you may see more people doing oil no filter.
 
#21 ·
Well, I happen to think it's a great idea and I hope the concept evolves even further. Now that I'm retired, I have all the time I need to properly perform maintenance on this ridiculous hoard of lawn and farm equipment I've acquired. However, I remember the days when I was so busy with family and work related responsibilities, basic maintenance chores were sometimes prolonged and symptoms weren't addressed soon enough to prevent a break down. Being busy with your spouse, children, parents and work responsibilities doesn't make anybody lazy when it comes to mower maintenance.

Also, bear in mind, well over 20% of US households are now headed by a single parent mother. That's certainly very unfortunate but I think any company that doesn't try to make life a bit easier for working families will miss a genuine opportunity.
 
#22 ·
Most of the HD bikes are dry sump oil systems. The bulk of the oil is held in a separate tank and not in the bottom of the engine. During a regular oil change this tank is drained along with changing the filter.
I had a couple anal retentive customers. They would stress over the few ounces of old oil left in the system. So a tech could purge the lines. After filling the tank he would start the engine with the return oil line removed from it. As soon as clean oil started coming out you shut it down. Then hook up the line and adjust the oil level. You won't get any closer to replacing 100% of the fluid unless you disassemble the engine.

With them this oil change system would never fly.

On my X540 I usually Mighty Vac out most of the engine oil through the dipstick tube. Lastly I open the plastic cap on the regular oil drain tube. This way I can use a 16oz plastic cup under it to get the last nasty oil out. Good luck fitting a regular drain pan underneath it with the deck on.
 
#26 ·
On my X540 I usually Mighty Vac out most of the engine oil through the dipstick tube. Lastly I open the plastic cap on the regular oil drain tube. This way I can use a 16oz plastic cup under it to get the last nasty oil out. Good luck fitting a regular drain pan underneath it with the deck on.
Oh, that's a good idea. It is a PITA to change the oil with the deck attached, so I typically just wait until fall to do it. But there are seasons that I really should be doing a mid-summer oil change. Since I have a Liqui-Vac, I can do the same thing you do. Thanks for the idea!
 
#24 ·
:gizmo::gizmo::gizmo: :banghead:
 
#37 ·
Looks like JD is bowing down to sell whatever they can . Most people will jump all over that because it is easy . Wait till they do not seat it correctly and blow the oil out all over that pristine driveway or the yard . This is another case of a bunch of 30 year old nerds in marketing that swiped the idea from a no real world experience engineer and ran with it . I think JD has dropped their pants once again . Kevin .
Fixed it for ya:bigbeer:
 
#39 ·
I bet this is like what HD said. The system is a closed system. The oil is only on the bearings, there is no oil pan, the filter serves as the oil pan. The pump circulates the oil around the moving parts and back to the filter only. So by changing the oil filter you are changing ALL of the oil except what may exist within the oil galleries.

Ford experimented several year ago with engines that never needed an oil change. Mercury has an outboard you never need to change oil. So the times are coming where dyno-oil will be used very little if at all. New metal material, less friction means less oil, which is what the oil is for. We are a throw away society, build it to last a few years, throw is away get another. You cannot change out the carburetors on the new push mowers, let alone adjust one.
 
#42 ·
Watched a YouTube video on the B&S engines that no longer require oil changes. They still expect YOU to change the air filter and spark plug once a year. I'm sure that this will also be required on the JD offerings. Along with tire pressure, grease the front end, sharpening blades and the deck is not going to scrape itself.

B&S also expects you to use some kind of fuel stabilizer. In the real world how often does this actually happen? Seem to remember another B&S great idea. Putting the fuel stabilization device under the fuel cap. Just another thing that needs service every year.

B&S is also advertising a totally smooth cylinder bore vs a cross hatch pattern that has been used successfully for years. The cross hatch is what normally holds oil for lubrication of the rings. I guess getting rid of the hatch you get rid of the need to change the oil. Any cylinder that gets vertical scratches from the piston and rings will drink oil like no tomorrow.

Auto manufacturers have been trying to get rid of maintenance for years now. Just so they can advertise buy or product and it will never need servicing. Just drive it into the ground.
I can remember when wheel bearings would need to be serviced every 10-30-60K miles. If property serviced they would last the life of the vehicle. Now everything comes with sealed bearings. Any problems and you have to replace the whole thing. At a much higher cost.
Same thing with cheep mower engines. Need any parts for the bottom end and you have to buy a short block.
 
#44 ·
We have to remember that the manufacturers are all about selling new merchandise and equipment. They keep walking that fine line of making their items last just long enough that MOST of those who own them when they need replacing will repurchase another of the same. If their items fail too soon, many people will buy a different brand with the hope that the next purchase will last longer. So, introducing "revolutionary things" such as the 30 second oil change is something that the owner can boast about at the neighborhood picnic or among the parents huddled on the sidelines at their kids soccer games. As I stated in an earlier post, the days of the consumer expecting their purchases to last a long time are slowly being replaced by the promoted social desire to have "New", because of the perceived "status" which having new gives to some.

It's funny because in a society where there is so much emphasis on "recycling" to save the planet, in many respects, the direction things are going is creating more JUNK and stuff which needs to be replaced even sooner. As HD said, need a new part for your new mower's engine, and you likely have to purchase the entire short block. Forget buying a "Needle and Seat, float and Gaskets" to rebuild the carb.

My buddy who owns the Small Engine repair shop has replaced the carbs on some clients small engines every year because they leave fuel in them. He tells them to run the machines out of fuel or empty the fuel and they all nod their heads and then in the spring, he will get the call that their mowers won't start and in the fall, he will get the calls that their snowblowers won't start. It's good for his business, but even he is amazed that many people won't follow the simple directions. He orders the common carbs, which are all non adjustable and non re-build able, by the dozens.

My parents had the same washer and dryer for a very long time, at least 35 years. The washing machines they are making today spin the clothes faster than ever to force as much moisture out of them, to reduce the drying time, to make the process seem "faster". Reduced drying time by stressing the liquid out of clothes when you wash and then "spin" them also reduces the life of the clothes. So Appliance sellers sell gimmicky new features with the consumers lapping them up thinking that having 24 different choices for washing your clothes is somehow better than the 4 choices (Delicates, Whites, Color and Permanent Press) which machines had for 50 years. It's just like Dry Cleaners and commercial laundries, how many people take items to drop off at the cleaners the way our parents did? Fewer and fewer........

And so it goes.......as long as more stuff sells, the economy keeps spinning.:good2:
 
#45 ·
I saw this info on the JD site listed under the E180:

The John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil change system makes changing the engine oil easy, quick, and clean. Changing the oil is as easy as twisting on a new oil-filled filter. Oil does not need to be drained from the engine. The removed filter contains the captured contaminants and a portion of the engine oil.

The John Deere Easy Change filter is an additional engine oil reservoir. Changing the filter removes the captured contaminants and replaces about 0.8 qt (0.76 L) of engine oil. Compared to the 100 Series traditional oil filter, the Easy Change oil system uses a synthetic filter media material, has more filtering capacity and more oil flow capacity, and the engine system has 40 percent more oil volume.

Everyone who uses the John Deere Easy Change system saves time and avoids the mess of a traditional oil change. In the past, many 100 Series Lawn Tractor owners rarely or never got around to changing their engine oil. With John Deere Easy Change, even owners who previously would not consider changing the oil themselves can easily do it now. The Easy Change 30-second oil change system is a no-mess, no-fuss solution the competition cannot match.

Installation instructions are in the Operator’s Manual and in the John Deere Easy Change service part box.

Please recycle. Many local government recycling programs, authorized retailers, auto-service centers, and auto-parts stores will puncture and recycle used oil filters and oil.

 
#47 ·
I saw this info on the JD site listed under the E180:
They must have updated their site in the past day. When this thread started, the E1x series was not shown, only the D1x series.
 
#53 ·
I wonder how many people scoffed at the idea of mounting a small engine on a walk-behind reel mower, 3 point hitch, cab tractors, SCUT 4x4 tractors, electronic ignition, cordless power tools, etc.

It might turn out to be a complete flop but I wouldn't expect Deere's initial offering to be perfect or inexpensive. However, don't be surprised if the technology is vastly improved and much more affordable in five years. Any company that doesn't offer innovative products and services designed to make life easier for their customers will wind up just like Kodak and so many other has-been companies. Remember Kodak owned the patent for digital photography.
 
#54 ·
JD & a lot of members here are singing praise that you can now change your oil without it being the messy nasty job that it use to be. Really? Maybe if people did it two or three times they would learn how to do without creating a mess. Here's my routine.

1) whip out the box end wrench & loosen the plug.
2) Shove my 40 year old porcelain roasting pan under the plug & finish removing the drain plug.
3) Go in the house & have a cup of coffee, watch "This Old House".
4) Go back out. Slide the ole roasting pan out from under the tractor & place a rag directly under the drain hole. Then clean the drain hole area & reinstall the plug.
5) Go topside & shove a funnel into the fill plug & fill it to the mark.
6) Put a funnel into an empty one gallon oil container & pour the old oil into the jug. Have a rag ready to wipe the edge of the roasting pan to avoid drips.
7) put the cap on the container with the old oil.
8) Wipe down the baking pan with paper towels & place in a plastic grocery store bag, along with the drained out old filter
then place the rags, etc., filter in trash bag.
9) Best part. Send the wife to the recycle yard to drain the old oil jug into the collection tank & place the plastic bag with the oily paper towels in the special use dump bin they have to collect the rags/towels/plastic.
10) While waiting for the wife to return home, sit on the porch with a cold beer!

Honestly- Is there anyone left who can chew gum & walk at the same time. What a bunch of whiners we are becoming & we are paying the price for it too. $62. Rather take the wife out to her favorite restaurant than to give it to the crooks with the green & yellow stick up masks. Just my own opinion here. I'm sure yours is different.
 
#57 ·
Let's suppose Deere managed to improve this product and sells it for 10- 20% more than the cost of a DIY oil change. Would you still prefer the 10 step process? Granted, I wouldn't dream of paying $60 for this and it's safe to say most GTT members enjoy doing their own maintenance. However, there is a price point where time becomes more important than money. There's a reason so many people have a dealership or Jiffy Lube change oil in their cars even though it can be done less expensively at home. Most people lead very busy lives with family and work responsibilities and it doesn't make them lazy or incompetent if they're willing to pay a little more to save time.