AM122215 Fuel Pickup & M132706 Bushing for Jo-hn D-eere Lawn Tractor – E100 E110 E120 E130 E140 E150 LT133 LT150 LT160 325 335 345 Z225 Z245 Z425 Z445 Z465 Fuel Line Repair Kit Review

Overview

This isn’t a lawn mower—it’s the AM122215 Fuel Pickup & M132706 Bushing fuel line repair kit for John Deere lawn tractors. Designed as a direct replacement for the failing fuel pickup systems in the E100, E110, E120, E130, E140, E150, LT133, LT150, LT160, 325, 335, 345, Z225, Z245, Z425, Z445, and Z465 models, this $8.50 kit is a lifesaver for anyone whose tractor has started sputtering, stalling, or refusing to start because the original fuel pickup tube has cracked or the bushing has worn out. It’s best for DIY homeowners who want a quick, affordable fix without replacing the entire fuel tank.

Who Should Buy This

1. Owners of John Deere E100–E150 Series Lawn Tractors – If you’ve got a late-model Deere with a plastic fuel tank and you’re chasing intermittent stall issues, this kit targets the exact failure point: the pickup tube and bushing that crack over time due to ethanol-blended fuel.

2. DIY Homeowners on a Budget – At $8.50, this is a fraction of the cost of a new tank assembly (which can run $50–$100). If you’re comfortable pulling a fuel tank and swapping a few plastic parts, you’ll save serious money.

3. Owners of Z-Series Zero-Turn Mowers (Z225, Z245, Z425, Z445, Z465) – These commercial-grade mowers share the same fuel pickup design. If your Z-trac is hard to start or runs rough, especially when the tank is below half, this kit is your likely fix.

4. Anyone with an Older LT133, LT150, LT160, or 300-Series Tractor – These models are known for the same bushing failure. If you’re keeping an older Deere running strong, this is a cheap, effective preventive maintenance part.

Key Features Breakdown

• AM122215 Fuel Pickup Tube – This is the plastic tube that sits inside the fuel tank and draws gas to the carburetor. It’s prone to cracking where it bends near the tank outlet, especially with ethanol fuel. The replacement is made from slightly more flexible plastic to resist future cracking. Why it matters: A cracked tube lets air into the fuel line, causing hard starts, stalling, and rough idle.

• M132706 Bushing – This small rubber or plastic grommet seals the pickup tube where it passes through the tank wall. Over time, it shrinks or hardens, creating a vacuum leak. Why it matters: A worn bushing lets air in, even if the tube itself is fine. Replacing both at once ensures a complete seal.

• Direct Fit for 15+ John Deere Models – The kit is designed to match the original parts exactly, so no cutting, gluing, or adapting. Why it matters: You don’t need to guess which generic tube will work—this is a drop-in replacement for your specific Deere.

• Complete Kit – Includes both the fuel pickup tube and the bushing, plus sometimes a small fuel filter (check your kit). Why it matters: Buying a full kit saves you the hassle of ordering two separate parts that might not match.

• Low Price Point ($8.50) – For under ten bucks, you get the fix for a problem that can leave your mower dead in the water. Why it matters: This is cheaper than a single trip to the dealer for a diagnosis, and it’s often the root cause of fuel delivery issues.

Pros

1. Cheapest fix for a common Deere problem – The pickup tube and bushing failure is the #1 cause of “runs out of gas” symptoms when the tank is still half full. This kit solves it for less than a pizza.

2. Genuine-quality replacement – While not OEM John Deere, the plastic feels identical in thickness and flexibility to the original. It’s a direct fit, not a universal hack.

3. Includes both critical parts – You get the tube and the bushing in one package. No need to hunt down a separate grommet that might not seal.

4. Works on multiple model families – Covers E-series, LT-series, 300-series, and Z-series. If you own more than one Deere, you can stock a couple kits.

5. Simple installation – With basic hand tools (socket set, pliers), you can swap this in under an hour. The hardest part is removing the fuel tank, which is straightforward on most models.

6. Stops stalling and hard starts – Users report immediate improvement after installation. The mower starts on the first pull and runs smoothly through the entire tank.

Cons

1. Not OEM John Deere – Some users note that the replacement tube is slightly shorter than the original, which can leave a small gap at the bottom of the tank. On very low fuel, you may still get air ingestion. Measure your original before installing.

2. Bushing fit can be tight – The M132706 bushing may require a bit of force to seat properly. If you’re not careful, you can crack the tank flange. Use a little silicone grease to ease installation.

3. No fuel filter included in some kits – Depending on the seller, you might only get the tube and bushing. If your Deere has an inline filter, you’ll need to buy that separately.

4. Not a cure-all for fuel issues – If your carburetor is clogged, the fuel pump is bad, or the tank has debris, this kit won’t help. It only fixes the pickup tube and bushing.

Bottom Line

The AM122215 Fuel Pickup & M132706 Bushing kit is a no-brainer for any John Deere E100, E110, E120, E130, E140, E150, LT133, LT150, LT160, 325, 335, 345, or Z-series owner dealing with stalling, hard starting, or fuel starvation. At $8.50, it’s the cheapest diagnostic tool you can buy—try it before you replace the carburetor or fuel pump. The installation is straightforward, the parts fit well, and the fix is often immediate. Just be aware that the tube may be slightly shorter than OEM, so if you routinely run your tank dry, you might still get air at the very bottom. Otherwise, this kit will save you time, money, and frustration. Highly recommended for DIY homeowners who want to keep their Deere running strong without a trip to the dealer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this fit my John Deere E130?
A: Yes, the E130 uses the same fuel pickup system as the entire E100 series. This kit is a direct replacement for the AM122215 tube and M132706 bushing on the E130, E120, E110, E