Compare Mowers
List prices are the manufacturer’s published figures, re-checked daily; they exclude tax, freight and dealer setup.
A side-by-side reference of each model's stated specifications. MowerFacts doesn’t give opinions: where a published, spec-derived rule can separate machines we mark a Data Pick and show the rule; here, read the values and decide what fits your needs.
Best suited for
What each model is built for, from its duty class and key specs. This is a neutral reference — MowerFacts does not rank one model above another.
- John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor — residential: typical home lawns; 42-inch deck; gas powered
- John Deere S120 Lawn Tractor — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 3 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- S100 Lawn Tractor has a 30.5 ci (500 cc) engine; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 44.2 ci (724.3 cc) engine, a 13.7 ci difference. Displacement is the engine's size, not its output. A larger engine is not necessarily a more powerful one.
- S100 Lawn Tractor has a 17.5 hp engine; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 22 hp engine, a 4.5 hp difference. Published horsepower is the maker's rating at a stated engine speed. It is a different measure from displacement, and two engines of equal rating can pull differently.
- S100 Lawn Tractor weighs 414 lbs (187.8 kg); S120 Lawn Tractor weighs 444 lbs (201.4 kg), a 30 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What S100 Lawn Tractor's weight means for a trailer ›
Verified means each manufacturer publishes the figure. A bigger number is only a bigger number; nothing here says which machine is better. The full specification table is below.
Which is faster on your property? › Measure your lawn once and MowerFacts times all 2 against it.
| Spec | S100 Lawn Tractor John Deere · Riding (Lawn Tractor) |
S120 Lawn Tractor John Deere · Riding (Lawn Tractor) |
|---|---|---|
| List price | dealer quote | dealer quote |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 30.5 ci (500 cc) | 44.2 ci (724.3 cc) |
| Engine Power | 17.5 hp | 22 hp |
| Cylinders | 1 | 2 |
| Engine Model | 31R977 (M31) | 44N677 (M44) |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 42 in (1067 mm) | 42 in (1067 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1 in (25 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4 in (102 mm) | 4 in (102 mm) |
| Deck Material | Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm | Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm |
| Deck Construction | Stamped steel deck shell | Stamped steel deck shell |
| Deck Gauge | 13 | 13 |
| Discharge | Side discharge | Side discharge |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive | Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive |
| Ground Speed | 5.5 mph | 5.5 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 20x8-8 | 20x8-8 |
| Reverse Speed | 3.2 mph | 3.2 mph |
| Drive System | Manual power take-off (PTO) | Manual power take-off (PTO) |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 414 lbs (187.8 kg) | 444 lbs (201.4 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) |
| Length | 69.7 in (1770 mm) | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
| Width | 55.2 in (1402 mm) | 55.2 in (1402 mm) |
| Height | 40 in (1016 mm) | 44 in (1118 mm) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | Full-length welded steel | Full-length welded steel |
| Seat Type | One-piece | Two-piece with open-back |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 2 yr | 2 yr |
| Bagger Capacity | 6.5 bu (229 L) | 6.5 bu (229 L) |
Where these models differ, explained
S100 Lawn Tractor: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — deere.com.
S120 Lawn Tractor: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — deere.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.