John Deere Easy Change Oil System vs Standard Lawn Mower Oil Filter 

I would like to see what the differences are in oil analysis reports after multiple oil changes

hats off to the guy that drains all the oil and uses the easy change filter and still adds oil through the top lol

The quick change filter might be double the size but it has to filter over 2/3 of dirty oil. Yes it might clean out the dirt but the oil still looses it property to lubricate the motor. As the motor ages that is when the problems come and no more warrentee. That filter cost around $35.00. Just buy the oil $12.00 filter $10.00. Changing the oil only takes 10 minutes. You can buy a kit to change back to the regular filter system.

Leaving over a quart of dirty oil in the engine even at oil change time is a NO GO for many folks. The adaptor to switch back to regular oil filters is around $10. Worth it.

Very interesting. You are the first that I know of to show what is actually inside the Easy Change cartridge.

Nice video Brent and very well explained .To me this is why I went with the S110 not the S120 .I don't like mixing that old oil in the motor with new oil in the Easy Change System. Thanks for the video.

The best solution for me, is using the bigger filter but also draining all of the oil, which is what I do now. There is a drain plug on the right side of the engine.

Still do not like leaving dirty oil in the engine to mix with clean oil. What is the point of changing oil in first place? Not for me.

It needs double the filter because you never empty all the oil out some is left behind with the quick change setup

Seems like the way to go is to drain the oil, put on the easy change filter and then add 1.2 quarts of fresh. Am I missing some thing?

I have a 50 year old JD 110 w/ the 8hp Kohler. I still runs. I don't think an engine with the quick oil change will still be running in 2072.

Great video! You explained it very well!

Just use Briggs 491056 and you have a taller filter (and filter medium). Not a fan of the quick change thing at all. Any new oil that goes in is just be diluted by the dirty oil that's in. Plus if there are "sparkles" in the used oil. you'll never see it because you don't drain anything. An oil change on a mower takes about 10mins. If someone doesn't have 10 mins, they probably need to just hire out getting the yard mowed because they likely won't take the time to use a quick change system anyway.

Glad I’ve watched a few videos. I was going to go Easy Change, but I’m thinking the S140 with a regular filter and bigger cutting deck may be the better option.

How are you supposed to dispose of the quick change filter? Does it need emptied first?

I just saw your video. Are you pulling a con job? There is over a quart of dirty oil still flowing throughout the engine. New oil becomes instantly contaminated with old oil. Quick change will cause quicker engine breakdown.

I have been working on lawn equipment for over 65 years- I say no this easy change idea - no way

I’m not sold on it! Old oil acidifies and can start bearings to score due to viscosity. I bought one but after watching this video I can compare different oil filters. I’m gonna look for one a bit longer because I do agree on the filtering part just not crazy about mixing used oil with new oil! Seems like a no brainer.

I would still drain and replace the oil once a year, after spending 4k bucks on a mower, I would just feel better about the viscosity therefore the protection of the oil. Call me crazy but that’s my story and I will stick to it.

You can always add replace the “regular” filter with longer filter just need to look up the number.

Great presentation but I’m glad I have the standard filter system. I’d rather take the extra time and make sure the old oil is out and putting all new oil back in.

The first oil change i converted it to regular oil change the oil i drained was black as heck man m happy i converted over i can put expensive synthetic oil in and a good oil filter for half of what the price is of the quick oil change it might be a good idea for someone that has money to replace their tractor more often i cant see the motor lasting long

What's the oil drain plug for?

Great video, thanks. Yes, the filter medium is larger, but it's also having to filter oil that is always dirty. When you only change 1/2 of the oil in a system, the filter never experiences clean oil going through it. Also, I'm planning to buy an S130, but I refuse to pay $60+ a year to change half my oil... I'll be buying the conversion kit. The Easy Change system is just the equivalent of a ridiculously priced subscription service... John Deere just found a way to do it for mowers. Paying $60 a year to save 10 minutes changing my oil and reducing the life of my engine at the same time is not a good value proposition for me, but I can see where it might be for those who are not mechanically minded.

Thank you very much for a nice comparison video of the two oil filter systems. I would love to see JD to cut back on the price of each 30-sec oil change cartridge to at least 30% less of its current price so people would afford them more and replace them more regularly, which could also increase sale volume for JD. This way more fresh oil would be introduced to the engine to displace the used oil inside. Realistically, in my opinion, if a person is too lazy to change out his riding lawn mower`s ngine oil even with the traditional affordable $20 dollars or so oil change, he or she would UNLIKELY spend $50 or more to buy the cartridge to change the oil, even it would take him/her only 30 secs. Last weekend, I was very close to purchase the JD S180 riding tractor at a major local home improvement store tor eplace my 18-year old Craftman, which has never failed me since day one. I just wanted something newer and different. However, upon learning that this model came equipped with this 30-sec oil change feature, I paused and wondered what this was all about. And I am glad that I did because after finding out what this system entails and how each cartridge costs, I had second thought about getting one. So far, I have not bought anything yet. Even if I would have decided to move ahead with the JD S180, I would soon convert its 30 sec oil change system to the traditional one UNLESS the price of the cartridge drops.

Some folks enjoy turning wrenches and some don’t. paying extra for zero mess and convenience will appeal to those that might not have the inclination, tools, or the space to work on a rider. others might not like the hassle of a cleanup after accidentally dumping burnt smelly oil all over a nice clean floor. Having said all that, I still prefer to do things like my ancestors…. getting dirty oil all over myself, the dog, and the floor, knocking a wrench or two into the drain pan after losing the drain plug all thanks to the 2nd burns on my hands and arm(s) from spinning the old filter off a hot engine

I've been using AC-Delco PF-53 oil filters on my 125. Exact fit, twice as long and half the price as the JD or Briggs filter.

Don't forget, there is still a oil drain plug. Remove it , drain all remaining oil, fill with 1.2qts of new oil. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Easy change may have more filtration capacity but does it remove the hydrocarbons that contaminate the oil.

oil is about the additives and they deplete over time. I used to work for roadway express and they had a system made by webb that dripped oil from the engine into the fuel tank at a rate of 1 quart every 350 miles and they would just add makeup oil with the theory the new oil would replenish the additives. they never changed engine oil just the filters at 25,000 miles which saved them disposal costs and labor which adds up when you're running 2,500 trucks. they had many trucks that went over 1 million miles with that system

Why not add the drain plug to get out the dirty oil and keep the quick change filter system ? Filtration would be better and you can get rid of the dirty oil to add fresh oil

The kicker for me is the price difference between a conventional oil and filter change versus the $99 (Canadian, after tax) cost of the quick change. It’s gone up 50% in 2 years. Sure it’s convenient, but it isn’t a big deal to let it drain while you do something else.

The difference in filter size doesn't even come close to making up for the well over a quart of dirty oil left at the bottom of the engine with Easy Change system (only .8qts changed). At ~$55 now, the Easy change, nothing more than some EZ change for John Deere.

The key is engine wear. Does it make a difference? If the answer to the question is; it makes no difference in engine wear. Then it is a matter of cost of your time and effort to do a complete change vs the quick change system.

What is the cost of changing this to the quick filter ?and how do you change the filter? you should show how with the quick filter. Just to show how quick it is ,but I'm afraid that cost of that filter with that oil in it, is going to be very high?

Just bought the S170 and I am getting ready to change the oil in the next month. I wish they used synthetic oil, then the quick change system would not be near is bad because you’d have quality oil in the engine already. If they’re using synthetic, ’m not aware of it, but that’s my two Cents.

Good video on your part. Not convinced John Deere. It’s a no brainer, more than half of sludge burned out oil it’s not good for the engine. Also I want to add my old John Deere lawn tractor lasted 25 years with the traditional filter system. The bean counters at JD had a better idea to turn a $20 oil change into $80.

just purchased a new s120...no way to justify leaving that amount of dirty oil in the engine, will be converting back to the conventional change system at my first oil change. parts already ordered to do the job.

This oil filter system does to the mower like pouring toilet water into your house water tank; sure, almost half of the water is clean but you are still showering, washing your dishes and possibly drinking poo water. Doesn't matter how much the John Deere engineers love this thing, hard to explain everyone how running that much of dirty oil is good for the engine on the long term. I love John Deere but this system is stupid, so much that they immediately started selling the conversion kit; at the end of the day if you don't know/want to do a lawn mower oil change, then you should buy an electric mower or hire a landscapers; nothing wrong with either

I wondered what type of filtration was in the easy change units, now I know. Thanks. There is much more to an oil/filter change than filtration alone. While the oil molecules might not break down (if not overheated), the additive package in the oil will deteriorate with use. There are detergents, acid neutralizers, viscosity modifiers, anti-foaming ingredients, and other additives in the oil that are consumed or will break down with use. The size of particle that the filter media can remove is a factor. If the oil and conventional filter are changed annually, the filter's capacity for solid particles isn't a significant factor, since few solids are generated in the engine during a single season. The easy change system is good for owners who would otherwise not change the oil/filter in their engines, unless the mower had to go to the shop for repairs. For the typical owner who runs their mower until it stops, then calls the shop to pick it up, it is better than doing nothing. If that kind of owner will change the easy change filter unit after each season, it should allow the engine to last beyond the warranty period. It also provides more profit for the dealer who sells the proprietary easy change units. I can see the benefits, but to me the negatives outweigh them. I'm not a fan.

VERY BAD IDEA ! Im going to get the conversion !

I know this video is over a year old, but I just purchased an S120, I will most likely change this system out with the conversion kit, BUT, not until the warranty time is up, I would suggest that if you want to change, wait, it will most certainly void the warranty if you did this prior, my 2 cents,

I’m sure they tested those plastic General transmission too 🫣🤣

Isn’t the main issue is that you are leaving behind 1.2 qt old dirty oil mixing with smaller quantity .8 qt new oil? Yes you are saving time with the 30 second filter but at what cost? Is a new system so we really don’t know how the mower engine is going to last in years to come and the other thing it is more expensive to buy.

If they'd make an allowance to finish draining out the rest of the old oil and come down on the price a little itd be an ok system. I remember when I moved out of my parents home they bought their first riding mower. It was a 1992 model mtd1542 with a Briggs and stratton i/c 15hp motor. They called me in 2010 and asked if I could look at their mower next time I was in because it wasnt cutting good. I looked at it and the blades were in bad need of replacement and the tires were leaking air because they were getting dry rotten. They bought new blades and I asked when the last time the oil,plug,and filters was changed. They just looked at me and said theyd never changed anything on it. I cringed and proceeded to check it out. The oil,which theyd always kept topped off looked like black gear oil,the filters were packed,and the spark plug tip was all but gone. Idk how,but it was still running. I tuned it up and they ran it for another 2 years and bought a craftsman after that. I felt bad for the old mtd mower for what it went through all those years, but knowing that it went all those years makes me feel better about the 30 second oil change.

Hmm. Seeing the Easy Change cut open is interesting. Double the media, only changes out just under a quart at a time however. This setup, to me, would be something I'd change like twice a season compared to the traditional oil/filter setups. It may have all that extra filter media, but you are still beating up the rest of that 1.2 quarts of used oil in there. The Easy Change is a "replenishment" but not a full blown change each time.

Price? Easy change too expensive. Leaving dirty oil could create a problem later.

I think the sensible thing to do with an EC filter is to drain and replace the engine crankcase oil at 50 hr, but leave the EC filter in and change it on the 2nd or 3rd engine oil change. In fact I will probably just remove the EC filter and drain the oil out of it as well and replace that with fresh oil.

Not one word on the cost, $80 for quick change system, $10 for the old system.

If this system was as good or better they would use it on all their equipment. It's a compromise for the DIYer. Better than nothing but not as good and very expensive.

I’m not convinced. I’ll convert my new Deere.

For this type of customer, they should just get a Zero change oil feature. A lawn service.

It is a quick change engine oil change.

Looking at the big picture you’re missing the point. The cost of the easy change system filter at Lowe’s is about $55 plus tax. I don’t care how big the filter medium is you’re not changing all the oil. Yes oil technically does not deplete, but the additive package does. Not only that you have contaminants that cannot be filtered from any type of media. Those contaminants are acids And other byproduct of combustion that attack bearings and metal surfaces. The whole purpose of changing your oil is to have a fresh amount of new lubricant with all the additives that the oil has to offer. Not only that you were unable to change to say, synthetic, you are bound to what ever oil John Deere is putting into that system. I would like to see the long-term effects of an engine that say ran 500 hours using the system and comparing it to the wear & tear of a same engine same application that was using a conventional type of oil change system.

I have seen engines, with no filter last decades

.8 quartz never came out after the change. I dumped close to 2 quarts out of the block, and it took a full 2 quarts to bring the level back to normal after putting the new canister on, If u don't drain the oil from the drain plug you're leaving so much broken down black dirty oil in the system. I did this change for a customer today and the machine had 67 hrs on it. This system was made to just make more money from the consumer imo. Over priced filter and made to wear out the engine with lower hrs if u don't do the proper draining.

Yes you may have twice the filter capacity, but you have to filter the 1.2 quarts of old oil. Thats like washing your hands then using the same water to wash your face.

Western Equipment, by changing the quick oil change unit for a conventional conversion kit oil change; will that void the warranty by John Deere?

Don't like mixing dirty oil with clean, what's the point, your just changing a filter, sorry but not for me

I bet you work for John deer.

NO COMPLAINTS!? Where have you been watching U Tube? EVERYONE has criticized the Easy Change system but the dealers. John Deere even markets the replacement tools to go back to the old clean oil change system. Deere screwed rhe pooch and needs to just come up with a better filter and a drain tube and forget the easy change nonsense. However the small filter needs to go back to a bigger filter . that was indeed a good upgrade. But $54.00 is a deal breaker.

Uhm, I appreciate you doing this, but I changed the system on my lawnmower back to the old way today, using John Deere parts and it cost me 22 dollars. Leaving 1.2 quarts of dirty oil, is still old dirty oil. Over time, , say years of using the new system, you will still have old diluted oil flowing through your engine. This oil will break down and make the entire amount of oil in the engine weaker. What you are doing is diluting ,the old oil with good oil, over and over. There is no way this is equivalent to changing all of the oil in your motor. The. Filter size is irrelevant. John Deere changed this for one reason, to make more money. You should see the engineering that went into these parts I removed today, it’s substantial. When the new filters came out they were 38 dollars, now they are 60.

I replaced the easy with the old fashioned a couple of days ago. I had used 3 of the easy's over 3 years so I was interested in the appearance of the excess oil left in the motor. It was grungy. This easy bs is worthless and will wear your engine down prematurely. In fact the reason I switched to the complete oil change filter conversion is that the engine (Kawasaki) already began to display signs of premature wear at 37 hours. DO NOT KEEP THE EASY CHANGE UNLESS YOU PLAN ON REPLACING THE MOTOR ON A REGULAR BASIS. Oil in an engine after contact with burned fuel will get acid in it even if you do not use the motor often (like in my case). Therefore even with 3 changes of "easy" in 3 years the damage was beginning to occur. Acid is a real killer and the larger filter does nothing to filter acid. Nothing.

Its not really that much bigger and no matter what people say, you are still leaving 1.2q of dirty oil in the engine. I get it thats its easy but in the long run, i feel that a conventional oil change would be better long term.

Just drain the dirty oil that was left in the crankcase and put clean oil.

I run my semi oil 60,000 miles and the oil analysis always says it’s still good to run longer. 60k for a lawn tractor is probably over a 100 years of mowing on the same oil.

people need to see what behind the curtain to be more confident of the product .

I just bought a S160 and his has this stupid quick oil change system. After 8 hours of running, I will convert it back to a standard oil filter with a drain. I do not believe that putting point 8 of new oil in 1.2 of dirty oil makes any sense at all.

The easy oil change system is the biggest piece of crap that John Deere has come up with yet. Just goes to show that JD is just out to gauge their customers. Would you only change a third of your oil in your car at each oil change. You can change the oil with the old filter and oil system three times for the price of that filter. I can't believe that Brigs would even warranty these engines with this system on them.

Didn't address the large amount of dirty oil left in the engine. This is not changing the oil only changing the filter and small amount of oil. 50 dollars NOPE!!!!!!

Nope. I'll be converting my S130 to the "traditional" oil filter and change process.

Just not a fan of this system. How hartd is it to change the oil the old fashioned way. This just seems too expensive.

Never a good ideal to leave about 2 quarts of dirty used oil in your engine.

You are just making John Deere rich. This new system is way too expensive, and killing your motor

Only John deere could come up with super stupid idea like that and have the deere worshipers think it's good

Over priced gimmick…if you want more filtering media use an automotive filter just cross reference a ph3614 filter

You should delete this video. It hurts your credibility.

John Deere recommends replacing the oil and filter every 50hrs or once every season. Quick Change is $50.00 and John Deere oil and filter are half that. I waiting for my new engine for my E170 which quit running after 25hrs. That's with me following the instructions breaking in the engine by changing the quick change oil filter after 10hrs. I'm not saying it's the quick change oil filter that caused it but I asked for it not to be put back on the replacement engine. I can't believe people don't have 20 minutes to change the oil. The sad part is I purchased a John Deere LT-133 in 1994 and it was still running strong when I purchased the E170. The only reason I purchased the E170 was after back surgery I thought it would be easier on my back.

Insane. Like to meet the engineer who came up with this moronic idea.