Are you looking for information on John Deere lawn mowers? We wrote this guide to help you find the best solution for your needs.
If you live in a single house or villa with a decent green space attached, one of the first devices you found to buy is the lawn mower.
But when this breaks and you have to replace it or when you just want to exchange it with a newer and more avant-garde model, how can you orient yourself in choosing a new or more recent model from the entire range of products on the market today?
The choice is certainly not easy but here comes this precious guide that will explain step by step what are all the features and functions of John Deere lawn mowers to keep in mind before deciding which one to buy.
1. John Deere S140 Lawn Tractor
The John Deere S140 is a midsized tractor that offers more comfort and versatility than a typical lawn tractor; it’s ideal for homeowners with large lawns. The tall, open-backed seat is wide and very comfortable—especially for taller people, and it comes with standard Honda-style foot pedals in a side-by-side arrangement. Its 22-hp engine has plenty of power for most lawn tasks; the S140 handled a variety of lawn and garden chores with ease.
Although it’s fully capable of mulching, the mower deck isn’t quite as aggressive as some other lawn tractors we tested. It cuts grass well, but it also excels at edging, leveling, side-pulling, and bagging. The electric PTO was smooth and unobtrusive, and traction was adequate for light-duty work in most areas. The tractors we tested were fairly quiet, but there’s a slight vibration when starting the tractor that can become distracting over time.
Although the tractor-style handlebar doesn’t fold down for storage, the mower deck folds up, so the tractor takes up less space when folded for storage. The S140’s $4,899 starting price is higher than many other lawn tractors, but its higher price tag also provides more comfort, versatility, and better performance.
Features We Like
- Uses Premium Octane Gas
- High-Quality Construction
- Easy to Operate
- Easier Bids
- 2-Year Warranty
- Smooth Ride
- Easy to Maneuver
- Smooth-Running Engine
- Great for Small Yards
- Smooth PTO
PROS | CONS |
Great design | Heavy |
Convenient wheel alignment | Not ideal for small yards |
Excellent power | |
Ample size | |
The 4.5L tank capacity can complete many jobs in a single charge |
2. John Deere S160 Lawn Tractor
The John Deere S160 Lawn Tractor is one of the most powerful lawn tractors we’ve tested, and it’s also well built and surprisingly comfortable to use. The 48-inch mower deck cuts a wide enough swath to cover a small yard without requiring multiple passes, and since it’s electric, it won’t drain the battery if it starts raining. The engine is powerful enough to push through even the heaviest of grass clumps, and it proved to be quite reliable in our tests.
The mower deck flexes a bit under heavy load, but overall it’s impressively sturdy and surprisingly quiet. It cuts a nice, even lawn without the hassle of side-discharge clippings, and the engine features a low cab for excellent visibility. The seat is adjustable, and the seat-to-handlebar height adjusts from 30 to 44 inches, so you can work comfortably in any position. The retractable LED headlight is a nice feature, and it includes a handy bumper. The 12-month warranty is also reassuring.
Features We Like
- Removable Mulch Kit
- 4-Wheel Drive
- Fast Accelerating
- Easy Start-up
- Easy to Drive
- Durable
- Strong
- Heavy-Duty
- Comfortable
- Awesome
- Built-In Headlight
- Different Colors
PROS | CONS |
Comfortable riding position | No throttle |
Large, well-positioned, comfortable seat | No reverse |
Easy to use drive controls | Hard to start |
Comfortable steering | |
Very quiet, smooth riding | |
Large, responsive wheels |
3. John Deere Z355E for a zero-turn mower
The John Deere Z355E rider mower is a great zero-turn mower if you have a larger property and need the extra maneuverability. It’s a lot quieter than the larger Z560, and its electric PTO and electric drive system make mowing easier. The Z355E comes with all the standard features including cruise control, a mulch kit, and an electric starter. The mower’s cutting deck is powered by a 23-horsepower 223cc Briggs & Stratton engine. The rated 46-inch cutting path and 4.5-inch cutting height is ideal for acreage.
The mower’s 24-gallon fuel tank allows it to cover up to 1,000 square feet of lawn. It weighs about 1,800 pounds and has a 59-inch turning radius. The mower’s 23-horsepower engine is powerful enough to handle larger lawns, but at 2,500 pounds it’s not as nimble as the Z560. It handles hills and slopes quite well, but it’s less maneuverable in tight spaces. The cutting deck is longer than most mowers, which may make it a little easier to maneuver through tight spots and over uneven terrain.
Features We Like
- The most durable zero-turn mower on the market
- Smooth, agile handling
- Comfortable, high-back seat
- Universal side discharge
- Easy maintenance
- Heavy-duty steel frame
PROS | CONS |
4-Wheel Drive | Heavy |
2 Stage Snow Drive | Poor acceleration |
4 Speeds | Difficult to maneuver in snow |
2WD, 4WD, 4WD Low, 4WD High | |
4 Wheel Steering | |
6 Forward Wheel Drive | |
0-60 in 4.4 seconds | |
22-inch Tires |
4. John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor
The John Deere S130 is a mid-price lawn tractor that has plenty of power for small to medium-size lawns, and it offers a nice balance of features and options. It’s equipped with a 22-horsepower V-Twin engine, a 42-inch mower deck, a hydrostatic transmission, and electric PTO and EZ-Shift, which lets you shift gears with the left thumb.
The seat is wide and comfy, and it’s adjustable so you can raise it or swivel it out of the way to make mowing the yard easier. It’s also equipped with a standard front bumper, and the battery lasts about an hour. The drive features positive ground engagement, which makes starting the engine easier in wet conditions. The mower deck is large, so it cuts a really nice, clean swath, and it has a few nice, easy-to-use features, including a 30-second oil change system that makes changing engine oil easy, quick, and clean.
The only real downside is this lawn tractor’s price tag. While you get a lot for your money, it’s not exactly a bargain. Overall, this is a good lawn tractor for small to medium-size lawns, and it does a good job at cutting grass along edges, mulching and bagging, and collecting grass clippings.
Features We Like
- Hydrostatic Transmission
- Heavy Duty 22 hp Engine
- Easy to Use Controls
- Easy to Change Oil
PROS | CONS |
Powerful | Expensive |
Well built | |
Great performance | |
Excellent reliability | |
Comfortable | |
Manageable |
5. John Deere E120 Lawn Tractor
The John Deere E120 Lawn Tractor has all the essential features of a lawn mower and then some. It’s made of heavy-gauge steel and cast iron, so it’s incredibly stable when you’re mowing and hauling around. The mower deck is 42 in. long and it has a 10 in. height adjustment range, and it’s powered by a 300 cca battery, so you’ll only need to charge it once before you start the mower.
The mower deck lift lever is simple to use, and the large ergonomic handle is comfortable, especially when you’re mowing a large area. The seat is adjustable, so you can find the right position for you, and as you adjust the seat, the armrests move with you. The headlights and turn signals are bright, and the dual mirrors let you see behind you when you’re mowing or loading up. The 15-amp alternator that’s included in the tractor produces enough power to charge the battery even while mowing, and with the ReadyStart technology, the mower will start immediately on the first pull (even after a lengthy lay-up), so it’s convenient and efficient.
The operator station has a user-friendly design, thanks to the large steering wheel and handlebar. The mower deck has a sharp blade that is capable of cutting grass high, so we rarely had to lift the deck an extra inch, but we did need to make adjustments occasionally. The 10-point pre-delivery inspection ensures that you aren’t stuck with a lemon, and the tractor comes with a 1-year warranty.
Features We Like
- Smooth running engine
- ReadyStart technology for fast and easy starts
- Wide comfortable seat
- EZ change oil change system
- Strong steel frame and 11 in. front axle
- Wash port to clean underside of deck
- High-back seat with 10 positions for a perfect fit
- Cruise control to maintain speed on larger lawns
- Rear wheel drive
- Heavy duty steel bagger
PROS | CONS |
Affordable | Heavy |
Easy to operate | No reverse gear |
Reliable |
The John Deere Lawn Mower: Amazing Features and Reasons Why You Must Have One
Without blades, a John Deere ride-on mower isn’t much more than a big, loud paperweight. The blades are the ones that bite the grass and allow you to get rid of all the clippings. But how do you know which ones are the best? It depends on what you want to get from them. How thick and fast-growing is your weed? The height of your grass? What features are important to you? After comparing nearly 30 Deere lawn mower blades, we were able to find some that were better than the others.
If you want the best John Deere lawn mower for your garden, understanding your options is key. Before buying a lawn mower, be sure to read these reviews and browse our buying guide.
While we encourage consumers to buy from a local retailer, we understand that online shopping is becoming the norm. With that in mind, we have compiled this buying guide to help you understand the various makes and models of John Deere mowers.
Our review team was able to test each of these John Deere lawn tractors in real-world conditions on lawns of all sizes. We’ve made notes on performance, ease of use, and durability so you can make the best purchase decision possible.
Before you start browsing our John Deere lawn mower reviews, please take a few minutes to learn more about the different types of lawn mowers available, how they work, and how much you should expect to pay for one.
We categorized everything from durability and safety to price and value for money, among other things. Our goal was to take all aspects into consideration so that we could give you a fair and honest comparison between these different John Deere lawn mower blades.
The John Deere ride-on mower is a very popular model. It is easy to handle, reliable and overall a great value mower. The average price is between € 500- € 1000 depending on the characteristics of your choice.
The John Deere ride-on mower appears to be a strong competitor among lawn mowers
There is a John Deere lawn mower for every task. Whether it’s a walk-behind, standing, zero-rotation or whatever, our guide can help you find the right lawn mower for your garden.
- Walk-behind mowers: John Deere walk-behind mowers are built to last and easy to use. They feature durable motors and sturdy wheels that make them easy to maneuver.
- Zero-Turn Mowers: With one of the largest selections of John Deere zero turn mowers, we’re sure we have one for your needs. These commercial-grade models give you better maneuverability and greater control than other types of lawnmowers. They also work well on uneven terrain and hilly slopes.
- Straddle Mower: The John Deere straddle mower is designed for comfort and ease of use for extended periods of time. It has an adjustable platform that can be raised or lowered, so it’s easy to customize the height to suit your needs.
The reliability and quality of your mower are vital to the results you get. With a variety of similar products available, finding a lawn mower that meets your needs can make all the difference.
Before deciding on the type of John Deere lawn tractors you want to buy, determine which features are most important.
One of these features is the cutting width. A larger cutting width will make it easier for you to mow a large lawn because you will have fewer passes to make. However, keep in mind that a larger cutting width also means a heavier mower and less maneuverability.
The weight of the John Deere mower may or may not be an important characteristic. If you are going to push the lawn mower around the yard, then lighter is better. With a self-propelled John Deere lawn mower, you can go with something heavier because it has built-in power.
Another feature to consider is the type of engine. You can go with a gas or electric engine. Gas engines are more powerful than electric ones and typically offer more speed adjustments, but they are louder and produce greenhouse gases. Electric motors are quieter than gas motors, but they cannot cut overgrown grass as easily as gas engines.
Conclusion
John Deere lawn tractors come in a wide range of sizes, with cutting widths ranging from 42 inches to 60 inches. These machines come with several features designed to ensure a long lifespan and ease of operation, including hydrostatic transmissions, adjustable cutting height, and self-propulsion. Most John Deere lawn tractors also come equipped with a cutting deck featuring cast-iron spindles, hardened gears, reinforced bearing housings, and heavy-duty blades. Because these machines can handle a variety of jobs, they’re worth considering if your yard is large or if you have other outdoor projects to complete.