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 S120 Lawn Tractor — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
- Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has a Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive transmission; XT2 LX42 has a Tuff Torq® K46 transmission. The transmission grade tracks duty rating and speed. Grade names are each maker's own and are not comparable across brands.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has a Stamped steel deck shell deck; XT2 LX42 has a Fabricated deck.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has a Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm deck; XT2 LX42 has a 11-gauge steel deck.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has Manual power take-off (PTO) drive; XT2 LX42 has Hydrostatic drive.
- S120 Lawn Tractor carries a 2-year warranty; XT2 LX42 carries a 3-year warranty, a 1 year difference. Warranty length is the maker's published term. Conditions and commercial-use limits differ between makers.
3 more differences, what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- S120 Lawn Tractor holds 2.4 gal (9.1 L) of fuel; XT2 LX42 holds 3 gal (11.4 L) of fuel, a 0.6 gal difference.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has a 22 hp engine; XT2 LX42 has a 20 hp engine, a 2 hp difference.
- S120 Lawn Tractor has a 44.2 ci (724.3 cc) engine; XT2 LX42 has a 45.6 ci (747 cc) engine, a 1.4 ci difference.
Not comparable
- Weight: not published for XT2 LX42.
- Bagger Capacity: not published for XT2 LX42.
- Blades: not published for S120 Lawn Tractor.
- Engine Make: not published for S120 Lawn Tractor.
- Fuel Type: not published for XT2 LX42.
- Discharge: not published for XT2 LX42.
- Start Type: not published for S120 Lawn Tractor.
- Price: S120 Lawn Tractor is dealer quote only.
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 | S120 Lawn Tractor John Deere · Riding (Lawn Tractor) |
XT2 LX42 Cub Cadet · Riding (Lawn Tractor) |
|---|---|---|
| List price | dealer quote | $3,399 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 44.2 ci (724.3 cc) | 45.6 ci (747 cc) |
| Engine Power | 22 hp | 20 hp |
| Engine Make | — | Kohler® |
| Cylinders | 2 | 2 |
| Engine Model | 44N677 (M44) | 7000 Series HD |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | — |
| Start Type | — | Ignition Key |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 42 in (1067 mm) | 42 in (1067 mm) |
| Blades | — | 2 |
| 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 | 11-gauge steel |
| Deck Construction | Stamped steel deck shell | Fabricated |
| Deck Gauge | 13 | 11 |
| Discharge | Side discharge | — |
| Cut Positions | — | 12 |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive | Tuff Torq® K46 |
| Ground Speed | 5.5 mph | 5.5 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 20x8-8 | 20" x 8" -8” |
| Reverse Speed | 3.2 mph | 3 mph |
| Drive System | Manual power take-off (PTO) | Hydrostatic |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 444 lbs (201.4 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) | 3 gal (11.4 L) |
| Length | 69.7 in (1770 mm) | — |
| Width | 55.2 in (1402 mm) | — |
| Height | 44 in (1118 mm) | — |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | Full-length welded steel | Robotically welded |
| Seat Type | Two-piece with open-back | 15" High-back |
| Commercial Warranty | — | No |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 2 yr | 3 yr |
| Bagger Capacity | 6.5 bu (229 L) | — |
Where these models differ, explained
S120 Lawn Tractor: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — deere.com.
XT2 LX42: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — cubcadet.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.