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 S180 Lawn Tractor — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 54-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.
- S180 Lawn Tractor has a K46 heavy-duty hydrostatic, two-wheel drive transmission; S120 Lawn Tractor has a Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive transmission. The transmission grade tracks duty rating and speed. Grade names are each maker's own and are not comparable across brands.
- S180 Lawn Tractor has a 54 in (1,372 mm) deck; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 42 in (1,067 mm) deck, a 12 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 ›
- S180 Lawn Tractor has a Steel, 11 gauge 0.120 in. 3 mm deck; S120 Lawn Tractor has a Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm deck.
- S180 Lawn Tractor has Single belt drive; S120 Lawn Tractor has Manual power take-off (PTO) drive.
- S180 Lawn Tractor weighs 526 lbs (238.6 kg); S120 Lawn Tractor weighs 444 lbs (201.4 kg), a 82 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What S180 Lawn Tractor's weight means for a trailer ›
1 more difference, calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- S180 Lawn Tractor has a 24 hp engine; S120 Lawn Tractor has a 22 hp engine, a 2 hp difference.
Calculated by MowerFacts
- S180 Lawn Tractor works out to 2.4 acres/hour; S120 Lawn Tractor works out to 1.9 acres/hour, a 0.5 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.
Not comparable
- Fuel Type: not published for S180 Lawn Tractor.
- Deck Construction: not published for S180 Lawn Tractor.
- Discharge: not published for S180 Lawn Tractor.
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 | S180 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 |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 54 in (1372 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, 11 gauge 0.120 in. 3 mm | Steel, 13 gauge0.090 in.2.3 mm |
| Deck Construction | — | Stamped steel deck shell |
| Deck Gauge | 11 | 13 |
| Discharge | — | Side discharge |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | K46 heavy-duty hydrostatic, two-wheel drive | Hydrostatic, 2-wheel drive |
| Ground Speed | 5.5 mph | 5.5 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | — | 20x8-8 |
| Reverse Speed | 3.2 mph | 3.2 mph |
| Drive System | Single belt | Manual power take-off (PTO) |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 526 lbs (238.6 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) |
| Width | — | 55.2 in (1402 mm) |
| Height | — | 44 in (1118 mm) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | — | Full-length welded steel |
| Seat Type | — | 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
S180 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.