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 S160 Lawn Tractor — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 48-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 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- S160 Lawn Tractor has a Steel, 12 gauge0.105 in.2.7 mm deck; S120 Lawn Tractor has a Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm deck.
- S160 Lawn Tractor has Electric power take-off (PTO) clutch drive; S120 Lawn Tractor has Manual power take-off (PTO) drive.
- S160 Lawn Tractor has a 48 in (1,219 mm) deck; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 42 in (1,067 mm) deck, a 6 in difference. Deck width sets how much grass each pass covers. Mowing time also depends on ground speed, turns and obstacles, so a wider deck alone does not fix the job's length. Time both decks on your own lawn ›
- S160 Lawn Tractor has a 24 hp engine; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 22 hp engine, a 2 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.
- S160 Lawn Tractor weighs 481 lbs (218 kg); S120 Lawn Tractor weighs 444 lbs (201.4 kg), a 37 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What S160 Lawn Tractor's weight means for a trailer ›
calculated figures
Calculated by MowerFacts
- S160 Lawn Tractor works out to 2.1 acres/hour; S120 Lawn Tractor works out to 1.9 acres/hour, a 0.3 acres/hour difference. Calculated by MowerFacts from deck width and the published top speed at 80% efficiency; it is not a manufacturer figure, and real mowing is slower.
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 | S160 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 | 44.2 ci (724 cc) | 44.2 ci (724.3 cc) |
| Engine Power | 24 hp | 22 hp |
| Cylinders | 2 | 2 |
| Engine Model | 44U877 (M44) | 44N677 (M44) |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 48 in (1219 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, 12 gauge0.105 in.2.7 mm | Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm |
| Deck Construction | Stamped steel deck shell | Stamped steel deck shell |
| Deck Gauge | 12 | 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 | 20x10-8 | 20x8-8 |
| Reverse Speed | 3.2 mph | 3.2 mph |
| Drive System | Electric power take-off (PTO) clutch | Manual power take-off (PTO) |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 481 lbs (218 kg) | 444 lbs (201.4 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) |
| Length | 74.9 in (1903 mm) | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
| Width | 60.8 in (1544 mm) | 55.2 in (1402 mm) |
| Height | 45.3 in (1151 mm) | 44 in (1118 mm) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | Full-length welded steel | Full-length welded steel |
| Seat Type | Two-piece with open-back | 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
S160 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.