The Most Reliable John Deere Riding Lawn Mowers According to Consumer Reports
If you’re in the market for a reliable riding lawn mower, chances are you’ve got a John Deere mower somewhere on your list. The good news is that Consumer Reports has the inside scoop on the most reliable John Deere riding lawn mowers. Let’s find out what they are.
The John Deere X350-42 riding lawn mower wasn’t the only mower to earn an Excellent predicted reliability rating. Consumer Reports also gave the John Deere S240-48 an Excellent predicted reliability rating. It earned an Excellent predicted owner satisfaction rating too.
“Talk about an ace performer. This 48-inch John Deere lawn tractor—though expensive—has Excellent side-discharging, mulching, and bagging performance ratings,” Consumer Reports explained.
The organization added that this John Deere riding mower and tractor benefits from a slew of features, including a “comfortable high-back seat that gives you a clear view of the fuel level and a washout port that lets you easily clear clippings beneath the mower deck.”
Much like the John Deere X350-42, this reliable riding lawn mower is pricey. In fact, you can expect to spend approximately 6500,899 on this reliable John Deere riding lawn mower.
The John Deere S170 is a 6500,500 reliable riding lawn mower
For a slightly less expensive riding lawn mower, consider the John Deere S170. This mower rings in at approximately 6500,499 and, much like other John Deere riding lawn mowers, has earned some pretty high marks from Consumer Reports.
Not only did the John Deere S170 earn an Excellent predicted reliability rating, but Consumer Reports also gave it an Excellent predicted owner satisfaction rating. The John Deere S170 also earned Excellent ratings in side discharging, mulching, and evenness. It did, however, earn slightly lower ratings in bagging and handling.
The John Deere S120 isn’t just reliable; it’s also a Best Buy
Say you really want to save a few bucks when shopping for a John Deere riding lawn mower but don’t want to compromise when it comes to reliability. If that’s the case, the John Deere S120 might just fit the bill. Unlike other riding lawn mowers, the S120 will only have you spending 6500,100. Because of its low price, Consumer Reports tapped it as a Best Buy.
While its affordable price tag is certainly good news, the bad news is that the John Deere S120 didn’t earn quite as high ratings as other John Deere riding lawn mowers. Sure, Consumer Reports gave it an Excellent predicted reliability rating.
But when it came to tasks like bagging, handling, and evenness? The John Deere S120 struggled to earn an Excellent rating. In fact, the John Deere S120 only earned Excellent ratings in tasks like side discharging and mulching.
John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor: At a Glance
PROS
specs
Key Specs
| Engine power | 21.5 hp16.0 kW |
| Oil change | No-tools oil drain with replaceable filter |
| Engine manufacturer/model | FR651V |
| Transaxle type | K46 heavy-duty hydrostatic, two-wheel drive |
| Transaxle control | Side-by-side pedals |
| Rear tires | 20×10-8 |
| Lift system type | Spring-assisted hand-grip lever |
| Cutting width | Accel Deep mower deck, 48 in.122 cm |
| U.S. warranty | 3-year/200-hour bumper-to-bumper (Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.) |
Engine
| Power | 21.5 hp16.0 kW |
| Displacement | 44.3 cu in.726 cc |
| Manufacturer/model | FR651V |
| Type | Overhead valve, full-pressure lube, oil filter |
| Cylinders | V-twin, cast-iron liners |
| Governor | Mechanical |
| Choke/speed control | Separate levers, automatic choke return |
| Cooling method | Air |
| Air cleaner | Dry, replaceable |
| Oil change | No-tools oil drain with replaceable filter |
Fuel system
| Type | Gasoline |
| Fuel delivery | Pulse pump and carburetor |
| Fuel gauge | Easy-read on dash |
| Fuel tank location | Rear |
| Fuel fill opening | Center, 1.75 in.4.45 cm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 2.4 U.S. gal.9.1 L |
Electrical system
| Battery | 12 V300 CCA |
| Charging system | Flywheel alternator, regulated, 12 amp |
| Engine starter | Bendix type |
| Hour meter | Yes |
| Headlights | Two standard, incandescent |
| Taillights or reflector | Reflectors |
| Backup lights | No |
| Rear work lights | No |
| 12-V outlet | No |
Transaxle
| Type | K46 heavy-duty hydrostatic, two-wheel drive |
| Control | Side-by-side pedals |
| Cruise control | Standard |
| Oil cooler | Fins and fan on transaxle |
| Oil filter | Internal, not replaceable |
| Differential lock | No |
| Forward speed | 0-5.5 mph0-8.9 km/h |
| Reverse speed | 0-3.2 mph0-5.2 km/h |
| Brakes | Internal wet disk |
Chassis
| Frame | Full-length welded steel |
| Primer/paint | E-coat/powder |
| Weight bracket | Optional rear |
| Receiver hitch | No |
| Front axle | Cast iron front axle, front wheel sealed ball bearings |
| Spindle bushings | No |
| Front tires | 15×6-6 |
| Rear tires | 20×10-8 |
| Hood material | Molded-in color material reduces sound, will not rust or dent |
| Fender deck material | Stamped steel |
| Floor mats | Yes, with debris removing channels |
| Storage | Storage tray with cover |
| Service interval decal | Yes |
| Fender handles/grips | Handgrips |
| Cup holder | Yes |
| Equipment mounting | CargO Mount system |
| Maximum towing capacity | 500 lb227 kg |
Steering
| Type | Sector and pinion with single drag link and tie rod |
| Four-wheel steer | Not available on this model |
| Steering wheel | Deluxe, diameter. 14 in.35.6 cm |
| Tilt steering wheel | No |
| Turning radius | 18 in.45.7 cm |
| Uncut circle radius | With 48A: 18.5 in.47 cm |
Mower deck
| Type | Side discharge |
| Cutting width | Accel Deep mower deck, 48 in.122 cm |
| Construction | Forged steel deck shell |
| Mower deck material | Steel, 10 gauge0.135 in.3.4 mm |
| Mower wash port | Yes, with hose end |
| Mower drive system | Electric power take-off (PTO) clutch |
| Mower wheels | Four |
| Mower wheel adjustment | One bolt |
| Mower level adjustment | Easy-level deck |
Buyer’s notes
| Notes | Molded-in color material reduces sound, will not rust or dentDurable primer and powder paint finishLarge, 14-in. (36-cm) steering wheel for more comfortable operation |
| Warranty | 3-year/200-hour bumper-to-bumper (Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.) |
Optional equipment
| Rear bagger | 2-bag, 6.5 bu229 L |
| Powered material collection | Power Flow system |
| Mulching system | Yes, MulchControl /td> |
| Front blade | 46 in.116.8 cm |
| Snow blower | Two-stage, 44 in.111.8 cm |
| Sprayer | Tow-behind only, 15 U.S. gal.56.8 LTow-behind only, 25 U.S. gal.94.6 L |
| Spreader | Tow-behind only, 125 lb57.7 kgTow-behind only, 175 lb79.4 kg |
| Front bumper | Included |
| Weather protection | Weather enclosure |
| Sun canopy | Sun canopy |
| Bucket holder | Yes, single bucket |
| Tow-behind tools | 16 |
Offers Discounts
4.9% APR fixed rate for 60 months on New John Deere 200 Series Lawn Tractors
- 4.9% APR fixed rate for 60 months 1 OR
- No Interest if Paid in Full within 9 Months 2
- Offers available 02 May 2023 through 31 July 2023
1 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made 02 May 2023 through 31 July 2023. Subject to approved credit on a Revolving Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. No down payment required. 4.9% APR is for 60 months only, regular Revolving Plan rates will apply after that. The regular Revolving Plan rate, which varies over time, is currently 23.0% APR (as of 01 May 2023). Available at participating U.S. dealers. and models may vary by dealer. Offer available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. and savings in U.S. dollars.
2 Offer valid on qualifying purchases made 02 May 2023 through 31 July 2023. Subject to approved credit on a Revolving Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. No down payment required. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at 17.90% APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within 9 months or if your account is otherwise in default. Available at participating U.S. dealers. and models may vary by dealer. Offer available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. and savings in U.S. dollars.
The Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2023
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Ryobi RY48130
The Ryobi 48V battery-powered riding mower is a small-but-powerful electric tool that will serve small to medium-sized yards well. Read
Cons
Lawn care is hard work no matter how you do it, but it’s a little bit easier when you’re able to sit down on the job. A riding mower lets you do just that, without losing a moment of productivity. And it’ll save your back, your legs, your arms, and anything else that normally hurts after you’ve pushed a lawn mower over an acre of grass.
Like with any category of tool, there are a ton of different options available for riding mowers. The first decision to make is where it gets its power. Many mowers run on traditional gasoline, but as battery power improves, more electric options are coming onto the market.
An electric mower runs quieter and emits no fumes, unlike gasoline-powered riding lawn mowers. However, gasoline mowers will run for as long as you have a can of gas handy to refill the tank, while battery-powered options can take hours to recharge.
The next choice is the size of the mower deck. The larger the deck, the faster you’ll finish cutting. But large decks are also harder to get into tight spaces, or through gates. If you plan on driving in and around a lot of obstacles or on narrow paths, then a smaller deck might be worth sacrificing mowing speed for.
Also, smaller decks tend to be more affordable than larger ones. Alongside the size of the deck is the size of the engine that powers it, generally measured in horsepower (HP). The more horsepower, the more powerful the machine.
Finally, consider the accessories that come with the mower. Some are exactly as advertised—dedicated lawn mowers that can’t serve any other functions. That said, many companies offer a wide variety of attachments, including bagging systems, dump carts, lawn aeration trailers, and even snowblowers. A good tractor can be an entire landscaping system, if you need it to be.
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
The Husqvarna Z254 54-inch 26 HP hydrostatic zero-turn riding lawn mower is one of those machines that might just be too much for some people. It’s an absolute monster of a lawn mower, with a 26-horsepower Kohler engine that is rated to mow 2.8 acres per hour. Despite that power, operation is reportedly smooth and quiet for a gas-powered mower. And the hydrostatic transmission is designed to be maintenance free, with no hydraulic hoses so there are few places for leaks.
The reinforced stamped steel mower deck houses three blades across its 54-inch span, reducing the number of passes that you need to make. The mower rides on 4 anti-scalping wheels, which reduce the chances of the mower deck coming in contact with the dirt and cutting the grass too close.
And air induction technology feeds into the deck to improve cutting performance and the overall health of the lawn. If power, performance, and durability are at the top of your must-haves list, then the Husqvarna Z254 54-inch riding lawn mower might be the machine for you.
John Deere Z365R Zero-Turn Riding Mower
The John Deere Z365R Zero-Turn Riding Mower is a ruggedly built machine that can handle any terrain with ease. It’s powered by 24hp Briggs Stratton engine and comes equipped with two HydroGear EZT transmissions, each capable of propelling 900 pounds. You would hardly encounter a faulty John Deere mower with this material construction and built.
Our professional greenskeepers found this equipment easy to steer, even when going uphill or downhill, and it handled obstacles like trees and signposts with ease.
With its ability to plow through thick, tall grass, this John Deere equipment cuts without any issues. You also have the option of mulching clippings rather than discharging them outside.