Ride-on Mower | S120 | 16 kW

Powerful V-twin engine features full-pressure lubrication for dependability and long life

16.4-kW (22-hp) engine (shown on U.S. model)

A 16.4-kW (22-hp) V-twin engine has plenty of power and torque to handle tough mowing, mulching, and bagging:

V-twin cylinder design for greater torque, lower vibration, and improved sound quality
Electronic ignition for fast starts
Spring-return feature to ensure the operator does not mistakenly leave the throttle lever in the choke position
Cast-iron cylinder liners for longer engine life
Overhead valves for excellent power and fuel economy
Full-pressure lubrication and oil filter for cleaner oil, prolonging engine life and extending the time between oil changes
- More effective when operating the tractor on an incline

Fuel tank

Convenient fuel filler opening

The capacity is 9.1 L (2.4 U.S. gal.).
The fuel filler opening is conveniently located under the seat.
- Filling the tank without spilling is easy.
- A tethered fuel tank cap is more convenient.
- The sealed fuel cap helps keep vapors inside the tank.

John Deere Easy Change™ 30-second oil change system

John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil change system

The John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil change system makes changing the engine oil easy, quick, and clean. Changing the oil is as easy as twisting on a new oil-filled filter. Oil does not need to be drained from the engine.

The John Deere Easy Change filter is an additional engine oil reservoir. Changing the filter removes the captured contaminants and replaces about 0.76 L (0.8 qt) of engine oil.

The functionality does not stop with ease of use. The Easy Change oil system has several meaningful benefits over the traditional oil filter system of the 100 Series:

A synthetic filter material is used for more predictable filtering and longer life.
Filtering capacity is greater than with a standard oil filter.
- More filter surface area
- More oil flow capacity
The system has 40 percent more oil volume.
The oil and engine run cooler.
The oil filter valve closes whenever the engine stops, so filtered particles are captured and cannot drain back into the engine.
The risk of spilling during oil service is greatly reduced.
Waste oil (and new oil production) is reduced by over 453,592.4 kg (1,000,000 lb) per tractor production year.
This system is not a compromise to just make oil changes easier—these engines pass the same John Deere expectations and rigorous testing as always.

Partly due to these improvements, it is not necessary to remove and dispose of all the oil in the engine during service.

Everyone who uses the John Deere Easy Change system saves time and avoids the mess of a traditional oil change. In the past, many 100 Series Lawn Tractor owners rarely or never got around to changing their engine oil. With the 30-second oil change, even people who previously would not consider changing the oil themselves can easily do it. The Easy Change system is a no-mess, no-fuss solution the competition cannot match.

Installation instructions are in the Operator’s Manual and in the John Deere Easy Change service part box.

Please recycle. Many local government recycling programs, authorized retailers, auto-service centers, and auto-parts stores will puncture and recycle used oil filters and oil.

Hydrostatic transmission gives an infinite choice of ground speeds

Two-pedal speed/direction controls

Forward speed control pedal in use

A Kanzaki® Tuff Torq® hydrostatic transmission gives an infinite choice of speeds and makes changing the direction of travel easy. Side-by-side foot pedals control the speed and direction of travel:

Automotive-type accelerator controls ensure easy operation.
Operator can change direction without lifting foot off the platform.
Large pedal surface gives superior operator comfort.

Hydrostatic transmission

Appropriate transmissions are used in each model, depending on rear tire size and tractor performance requirements, to ensure excellent performance and reliability:

Tuff Torq TLT200 – S100, S110, S120, S130 and S140

Kanzaki and Tuff Torq are trademarks of Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Operator station designed for operator comfort and convenience

Comfortable operator station

Comfortable operator station (S130 shown)

The operator station is designed for operator comfort and easy operation:

Controls are positioned where they are easy to reach and use to control the tractor.
The steering wheel is positioned and angled to give the operator plenty of room and steering comfort.
The seat is positioned to provide the most comfortable operator position.

Steering wheel and dash (S130 shown)

Wide footrest with debris-removal channels

Controls are easy to see and use:

Large, three-spoke steering wheel for greater operator comfort and control
Ignition switch is on the dash for starting ease

Wide footrest areas with non-slip, anti-vibration floor mats are provided for operator comfort:

The wide footrest makes it easier to step over the mower deck while entering or exiting the seat.
Debris-removing channels help keep the footrest area clean and dry.

Comfortable seat

Easily adjusted seat

Operator comfort is enhanced with a 38-cm (15-in.) high-back, two-piece seat with an open back:

The open-back seat design keeps the operator cooler
Especially helpful when operating the tractor for extended periods of time
Easily adjusted forward or rearward while in the seat
Seat travel of 14 cm (5.5 in.) and 10 different positions to adjust for operator height

Seat springs give a smoother ride

Seat tilted forward

Two long seat springs give plenty of seat travel to smooth out the ride, keeping the operator comfortable while operating the tractor.

The seat can be tilted forward for protection from the elements and to provide easy access to the fuel tank.

Storage compartment

Beverage holder (shown with optional storage compartment cover)

Storage compartment and beverage holder, located on the right-side fender, are conveniently located and easy to use.

NOTE: A storage compartment cover is standard on S120 and S130 Tractors and optional on the S100, S110, and S140.

Fender flares

Fender flares included on the S130 Tractor cover the tires more completely and add style to the tractor.

Easy-read fuel gauge shows fuel level on dashboard and controls are convenient to use

S120 Tractor

Steering wheel and controls on S120

Instruments and controls

The contoured dash has clean, attractive styling:

Controls are color-coded and labeled for easy identification.
Controls are logically placed and easy to reach.
The hour meter makes it easy to tell when oil changes and other maintenance should be performed.
Functional design of the controls provides good appearance and a comfortable feel.

Easy-read fuel gauge shows fuel level on the dashboard

Easy-read fuel gauge

Convenient fuel filler opening

The easy-read fuel gauge shows how much fuel is in the tank and can be seen on the dashboard:

Easy to check fuel level
Convenient location
Visible in cloudy or dusk conditions (is not backlit)
Does not slosh from bumps
The MowerPlus™ smartphone app can read and remember the fuel level (optional MowerPlus deluxe smart connector required)
The hour meter is also visible on the fuel gauge display

Side-by-side transmission control pedals

Two-pedal speed/direction controls

Side-by-side foot pedals

Side-by-side foot pedals control the speed and direction of travel:

Automotive-type accelerator controls ensure easy operation.
Operator can change direction without lifting foot off the platform.
Large pedal surface gives superior operator comfort.

Cruise control (S120 and S130)

Cruise control lever

Cruise control is available on the S120 and S130:

To engage, lift the cruise lever and hold until the foot is removed from the forward pedal.
The cruise control can be released by pushing on the brake pedal or the forward pedal.

Mower deck height adjustment

Mower deck height adjustment lever

A spring-assisted, ergonomically designed lift lever simplifies adjusting the mower cut height:

Increments of 0.64 cm (1/4 in.) allow fine-tuning the cut height.
Cut height is adjustable from 2.5 to 10.2 cm (1 to 4 in.).
The lift handle is shaped for easy use and is out of the way of entering or exiting operators.

Parking brake control

Brake/parking brake pedal

Parking brake lever

The parking brake control is conveniently located on the tractor pedestal for easy access. It holds the brake pedal securely in the locked position.

Manual power take-off (PTO)

PTO engagement lever

The mower deck is engaged with the easy-to-see and easy-to-use yellow lever above the dashboard. Its placement on the right side leaves a lot of room on the left, the entry side of the tractor, for the operator to get on and off the tractor.

Reverse implement option (RIO)

RIO switch

Using RIO

CAUTION: Children or bystanders may be injured by rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward:

Carefully check the area around the machine.
Disengage the mower before backing up.

NOTE: Backing up while the mower is engaged is strongly discouraged. RIO should be used only when operating another attachment or when the operator deems it necessary to reposition the machine with the mower engaged.

Stop forward travel.
Look behind the machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
Push and hold in the RIO switch while depressing the reverse pedal slightly.

NOTE: If the engine and mower or other attachment stops while repositioning the machine, return the attachment engagement lever/switch to the off position. Start the engine and engage mower or other attachment. Begin again with step 2.

Release the RIO switch and reposition the machine as the machine begins to move rearward.
Resume forward travel. The mower or other attachment should continue operating.
Repeat procedure to position the machine again.

Convenient maintenance is supported by trusted self-service resources

Example quick-response (QR) code label

John Deere riding lawn mowers are equipped with a QR code label that links to an owner support website. The label can be found on the rear fender, to the left of the seat.

Upper portion of owner support web page

Lower portion of owner support web page

The owner support website is formatted for smart phones and available without setting up an account and password. The QR code includes the mower’s serial number, enabling the owner support website to provide a maintenance schedule, service parts, attachments, how-to guide, videos, warranty information, and an operator’s manual for the specific mower.

The owner support website also allows users to purchase service parts, schedule dealer service, purchase extended warranties, and download the Equipment Mobile app. The Equipment Mobile app enables users to maintain a shared digital service record with their dealer.

Serviceability is convenient with an easy-open hood

One-piece hood is easy to open (shown on S110 model)

Service interval decal located under hood

The one-piece hood opens easily to permit checking and servicing the engine:

Important service points are located within easy reach.
A service-interval decal is provided inside the tractor hood for convenience when servicing the tractor.

John Deere Easy Change™ 30-second oil change system

Seat tilted up for easy access to fuel-fill opening

The John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil change system makes changing the engine oil easy, quick, and clean. Changing the oil is as easy as removing the old oil-filled filter and twisting on a new oil-filled filter.

The seat tilts up and out of the way to make adding fuel easy.

Hood will not rust or dent and includes quality headlights

One-piece hood with quality headlights

Molded-in color material reduces sound and will not rust or dent.
Same quality hood material as on larger John Deere tractors provides good resilience and UV resistance for an extended time.
Openings on the side let in plenty of cooling air while keeping the sound level low.
Two headlights provide good lighting for nighttime operation.

The Edge™ cutting system gives superior performance

107-cm (42-in.) Mower Deck

The Edge cutting system has been trademarked to emphasize the advantages of the John Deere mower deck designs. They give superior mowing performance, convenience, and reliability:

The deep-deck design lifts grass for a clean, even cut.
The smooth underside has no nooks and crannies, preventing grass buildup and evenly dispersing grass clippings.
The rolled outer edge of the deck provides extra strength and protection.
Dual-stage E-coat and powder paint coatings provide extra protection from rust.
Flexible discharge chute minimizes property and mower deck damage.

The 107-cm (42-in.) Edge Mower Deck is a two-spindle design with heavy-duty characteristics:

The 13-gauge, 2.3-mm (0.09-in.) steel deck provides years of dependable mowing.
Included three-in-one blades work well for side-discharge, mulching, or bagging.
The blade-to-spindle design provides a unique mounting system for the mower blade that provides extra safety and convenience.
No tools are required to switch from mulching to side discharge to rear bagging.
A mulching cover is an optional attachment that can be installed without tools to allow mulching with the standard mower blades.
High-performance mulching blades are available to enhance mulching performance.
A high-performance mulching attachment is an optional attachment that includes a mulch plug and special mulching blades for excellent performance.

Mower wash port

Mower wash port with hose connector

A wash port is provided to make cleaning the underside of the mower deck easy:

A hose connector is included with mower deck.

StarLock™ blade design

StarLock blade design

The StarLock blade design keeps the blade bolt at the correct torque for easy removal.

Optional blades for difficult mulching or bagging conditions are available.

Optional bagger

229-L (6.5-bu) hopper and chute on an S100

A cut-and-throw, 229-L (6.5-bu) bagger is sold separately and comes with bagging blades. Special bagging blades are not required but they can enhance performance.

The bagger kit provides an efficient means of collecting grass clippings and leaves. It can be set up without tools in minutes and has easy-to-empty bags.

Two-year or 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty is included

A 2-year or 120-hour single-source, bumper-to-bumper warranty* is included for all John Deere 100 Series Tractors.

The warranty is hassle free, with both the mower and the engine covered by a single warranty.
If the mower is sold, the remaining warranty term is transferable to a new owner.

*Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. U.S. and Canada only. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.

S120Ride-on Mower