It died because somebody greased it too much and did too much maintenance.

“It died because somebody greased it too much and did too much maintenance.” — said no mechanic, ever.

Ladies and gentlemen, the attached picture shows exhibit #1, as seen in its current sad state of repose. A fine 2015 John Deere X328 Ultimate. Only 918 hours.

And the damn thing is royally buggered because it has never been greased in its entire flippin’ life! Ball joints and tie rod ends. Buggered. Steering cylinder ball joint/rod end. Buggered. Air filter. Looks like a family of crackhead rats that ate nothing but bad Mexican fast food had taken up residence. Radiator completely plugged with dirt. And those are only the top major concerns.

Man, things like this kill me. It’s such a waste. Good equipment just wrecked by a simple lack of basic maintenance.
Diagnosis: This poor tractor needs over $1200 worth of parts from the Deere mother ship. Ball joints/tie rod ends/tie rod is one assembly, non-serviceable. So is the steering cylinder. New hoses, gauge wheels, etc, etc, etc.

Look kids, if your equipment has a grease fitting somewhere, consider that a subtle hint and freaking grease it. What? You don’t own a grease gun? How shall I put this gently, to convey the importance in a firm, but helpful way that will maintain your self-esteem? Oh…yes…I’ve found the words…

Then freaking buy one you Nancy boy! What in the hell is wrong with you, you sissified, equipment-wrecking, man-union reject? Get your purse, clear the Target bag of wet/dry Swiffers that you forgot out of the bed (you wife has been looking for those, BTW) of that half-ton minivan you call a truck and go to that yet-unexplored bastion of Manliness called, well, take your pick. There are only about 2 dozen options to get a grease gun so just freaking do it.

As an additional helpful hint, you owner’s manual has a checklist of maintenance tasks for your tractor mower. Follow this checklist to the letter. If you don’t know how to do something, Google it, ask someone or take it in to a mechanic.

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Many people have more money then brains and could care less about maintenance.

It’s the world we live in now.
I have customers that absolutely refuse to open the hood on their vehicles too.
Sometimes it’s best to leave the maintenance to a qualified person though.
Just sent one down the road that came in on the hook yesterday. Rough running, stalling, and smoking.
Lady thought she’d stay on top of her oil burning chevy captiva and add some oil. Well, she forgot to verify that it indeed needed oil and just went ahead and added 5 qts. Turns out the engine was already full of oil.
They don’t run very good with 10qts in a 5qt system. Luckily it was mainly her ego that was damaged and the rest car survived.

Seems newer vehicles they don’t want people “maintaining anymore”. Grease zerk’s have mostly went away on vehicles, not lawn equipment ! A heads up to any RAM HD Truck owners. Next time your in for a service, have them check for the grease zerk on the cardon joint on the drive shaft… hit it with a little grease.

Ugg! And that’s a sweet machine that would go forever if maintained well.

So the guy drops off a machine like that. Mechanic looks it over and says “it’ll need around $1200.00 to get it up and going.” Client says…”F it, i’ll go buy another one.” Mechanic, “I can always use it for parts, I’ll give ya $75 and won’t charge you for the estimate.” Client…..”Done deal.”

It’s what makes the American economy go around.