John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower
Commercial mower · Model W48M · Commercial-duty · Gas
John Deere doesn’t publish a list price for this model — it’s dealer quote only. The John Deere product page is the place to start.
- Weighs 646 lb
- On a 6×12 trailer 1,546 lb towed, single-axle 3,500 lb
- Mows an acre in 34 min (24 at top speed) How long for your yard? ›
- How these are worked out ›
The John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower is a commercial-grade gas commercial mower, built for daily commercial mowing, with a 48-inch deck and a 603cc engine making 14.5 hp. It weighs 646 lb (293 kg).
At a glance
Compare similar mowers See how this mower compares with machines of a similar size and purpose.
Chosen by stated rules, not opinion: same class, a deck within 8 in of this one, the same kind of power and a compatible duty class, then the closest power, weight and price, with other makers preferred. Figures are the manufacturers’ published ones; nothing is estimated.
Engine
| Power Source | gas |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 36.8 ci (603 cc) |
| Engine Power | 14.5 hp |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Engine Model | FS481V |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Deck
| Cutting Width | 48 in (1219 mm) |
|---|---|
| Deck Material | 10-gauge, 0.14-in. (3.42-mm) fabricated steel deck top with added 10-gauge spindle mounting plate, 7-gauge, 0.19-in. (4.8-mm) side skirts |
| Deck Gauge | 10 |
| Blade Tip Speed | 17999 ft/min (5486 m/min) |
Drive
| Transmission | Two Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 unitized pump and wheel motor transmissions and ergonomic handles with spring-loaded neutral lock |
|---|---|
| Ground Speed | 6.5 mph |
Dimensions
| Weight | 646 lbs (293 kg) |
|---|---|
| Fuel Capacity | 5.4 gal (20.4 L) |
| Length | 74 in (1880 mm) |
| Width | 62 in (1575 mm) |
| Height | 44.8 in (1138 mm) |
Professional use
How the W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower fits commercial and high-acreage work, from the specs we have. Format: Commercial walk-behind. Duty class: Commercial.
Productivity computed from deck width and ground speed. Compare on the calculator ›
| Deck width | 48 in |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 603 cc |
| Engine power | 14.5 hp |
| Transmission | Two Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 unitized pump and wheel motor transmissions and ergonomic handles with spring-loaded neutral lock |
| Ground speed | 6.5 mph |
| Fuel capacity | 20.4 L |
| Weight | 293 kg |
| Deck construction | 10-gauge, 0.14-in. (3.42-mm) fabricated steel deck top with added 10-gauge spindle mounting plate, 7-gauge, 0.19-in. (4.8-mm) side skirts |
| Deck gauge | 10 ga |
John Deere doesn’t publish 10 of these for the W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower: engine make, drive type, cut-height range, warranty, commercial warranty, spindle type, frame construction, anti-scalp rollers, drive tire size, seat type.
See the John Deere commercial pro hub › · Professional buying hub ›
Similar models
Other commercial mowers with comparable specs — including other brands — that buyers cross-shop with the W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower.
Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — deere.com.
What the parts on this spec sheet mean
See all John Deere mowers and specs ›
Spot a wrong spec? Suggest a correction.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.
What the specs work out to
Figures MowerFacts computes from John Deere’s own numbers — not published by the manufacturer.
Mowing time
- ¼ acre8 min 6 min
- ½ acre17 min 12 min
- 1 acre34 min 24 min
- 2 acres1 h 8 min 48 min
- 5 acres2 h 50 min 1 h 59 min
About 34 min per acre at 1.76 acres/hour, mowing at 4.5 mph. The second figure is at the published 6.5 mph top speed (2.52 acres/hour) — faster than anyone really mows. About 9.5 acres per tank.
Weight & hauling
- Machine weight646 lb
- + 6×12 trailer900 lb
- Towed weight1,546 lb
- single-axle 3,500 lbCarries it, 1,954 lb spare
- tandem-axle 7,000 lbCarries it, 5,454 lb spare
Needs a single-axle 3,500 lb trailer and a vehicle rated to tow at least 1,546 lb.
Gate & trailer fit
- 32 in gateToo wide
- 36 in gateToo wide
- 48 in gateToo wide
Needs at least 63 in of clearance.
Power & run time
- Power per deck inch0.302 hp/in
- Run time per tank~5.4 h
Mowing times assume 1.76 acres/hour: deck width x 4.5 mph at 80% efficiency, which allows for overlap, turns and trimming. 4.5 mph is 70% of the 6.5 mph top speed John Deere publishes - almost nobody mows flat out. The "at top speed" figure is the same sum at 6.5 mph, shown so you can see it.
Fit uses John Deere's published overall width.
Towed weight adds a 900 lb allowance for a 6x12 open utility trailer to John Deere's published machine weight. Your trailer's own weight is on its VIN plate. Tongue weight, axle placement and your vehicle's tow rating are still yours to check — this is the load, not a loading plan.
Run time assumes a typical 1 gal/hour burn at working load; real consumption varies with engine, load and cut.
John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower questions
What size deck is on the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower?
The John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower has a 48-inch (1219 mm) cutting deck with 10-gauge, 0.14-in. (3.42-mm) fabricated steel deck top with added 10-gauge spindle mounting plate, 7-gauge, 0.19-in. (4.8-mm) side skirts construction.
What engine is in the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower?
The John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower is powered by 603 cc, 14.5 hp. Horsepower is the manufacturer's own rating.
How much does the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower weigh?
The John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower weighs 646 lb (293 kg) as specified by John Deere.
What size trailer do I need for the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower?
At 646 lb, the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower on a typical 6x12 open utility trailer (about 900 lb empty) is roughly 1,546 lb of towed weight. That is within a single-axle 3,500 lb trailer, and your tow vehicle needs to be rated for at least 1,546 lb. Tongue weight, axle placement and your own trailer's empty weight still have to be checked — this is the arithmetic, not a loading plan.
How fast is the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower?
Top ground speed is 6.5 mph. With its 48-inch deck that works out to about 2.52 acres per hour at 80% efficiency — allowing for overlap, turns and trimming.
How long does the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower take to mow an acre?
About 24 min per acre, from its 48-inch deck at 6.5 mph and 80% efficiency — roughly 2.52 acres an hour, so five acres is about 1 h 59 min. Rough or obstacle-heavy ground takes longer; this is deck width times ground speed, not a timed test.
How big is the fuel tank on the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower?
The John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower holds 5.4 gal (20.4 L) of fuel.
How much does the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower cost?
John Deere doesn't publish a list price for the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower — it's sold on a dealer quote. MowerFacts records prices only where the manufacturer publishes them.
What is the John Deere W48MCommercial Walk-Behind Mower built for?
Commercial-duty commercial mower. Built for daily, paid commercial use.
Source: John Deere (manufacturer) · archived copy