22 HP V-twin Briggs & Stratton · 42-in Edge™ deck · side-by-side hydro pedals · Ready Start — Deere reliability with real V-twin power.
The John Deere S120 is the V-twin step up from the entry S100 — same green-and-yellow tractor DNA, more power for hilly lots, heavy spring grass, and homeowners who want a smoother, quieter mow. A 22-hp (16.4 kW) Briggs & Stratton® V-twin with full-pressure lubrication and a replaceable oil filter powers a 42-in. (107-cm) Edge™ stamped-steel mower deck with 13 cutting positions from 1 in. to 4 in. Power runs through an automatic hydrostatic transaxle with side-by-side foot pedals, so speed and direction change without shifting, and the spring-assisted deck-lift lever makes height changes effortless. Ready Start choke-free ignition, a 15-in. open-back seat, a soft-grip steering wheel, and a covered console with lid keep the experience clean and simple. Compatible with the John Deere MulchControl™ kit, rear bagger, tow-behind attachments, and front bumper. Assembled in Greeneville, Tennessee and backed by John Deere's 2-year / 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty. Ideal for properties up to about 1.5 acres.
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Cross-shopped the S100 and the S120 side by side. Went with the V-twin and I'm glad I did — noticeably smoother, quieter, and it doesn't drop RPM in thick spring grass. 42-in Edge deck cuts as clean as any Deere I've owned. Home Depot delivered assembled with gas in the tank.
Moved from a 21-in push mower to this and it changed my Saturdays. What used to be 2.5 hours is now 45 minutes. The hydro pedals are stupid easy — no shifting, no clutch, just push and go. Ready Start fires on the first turn every time.
My yard has a couple of real slopes and the S100 my neighbor has definitely lugs on them. The S120 V-twin holds RPM the whole way up. Cut is even, no scalping. Very happy I went with the V-twin.
My old tractor had a 1.3 gal tank and I was refilling mid-mow every time. The S120's 2.4 gal tank does my whole 1.3 acre yard and still has fuel left. Small thing that makes every mow easier.
I like that this is put together in Tennessee. Fit and finish is tight, no rattles, no weird panel gaps. Dealer is 20 minutes away for parts and service. Classic Deere experience for a hair under $2,500.
The Edge deck is the star of the show. Twin blades, clean stripes, no clumps even on damp grass. Way better cut than the MTD tractor it replaced. Would buy again in a heartbeat.
V-twin power, hydro pedals, Edge deck — all excellent. The 15-in open-back seat is the only thing I'd change. Comfortable for an hour but I'd love a high-back for the full property. Might swap the seat this fall. Otherwise 5 stars.
Sat in the shed all winter with fresh gas and Sta-Bil. First mow of spring it fired on the second turn of the key. No choke fiddling, no primer. Ready Start really is the feature they advertise.
42-in deck is the sweet spot for my lot — big enough to be fast, small enough to trim around my trees. V-twin runs at half throttle for most of the mow and still cuts great. Fuel economy is way better than my old V-twin Cub Cadet.
The XT1 is a great tractor too but my nearest Cub Cadet service is 45 minutes away and the Deere dealer is 15. Same 42-in deck, similar hydro drive, and I know I can get parts fast. Two months in, no regrets.
The covered console holds my phone, sunglasses, and a bottle of water. Small thing but I use it every mow. Cover keeps the sun off my phone. Little details like this are why I'll pay the Deere premium.
Deck wash port works but the plastic fitting is a little cheap-feeling. Hose threads on fine and rinses the underside clean, just wish it felt more solid. Otherwise the S120 is a fantastic tractor at this price.
About 55 hours on it now. Oil change and blade sharpen every spring, that's the extent of my maintenance. V-twin starts as easy as day one. This is going to be my tractor for the next 10 years.
Thick St. Augustine used to lug my old 17.5 HP single. The V-twin doesn't blink at it. Set the deck at 3.5 in, blades sharp, and it cuts a clean stripe every time. Big upgrade for the humid Texas summer.
Truck arrived on the scheduled day, tractor assembled, oil and gas already in it. Driver walked me through the controls in about 10 minutes. Cut my front yard before dinner. Free curbside delivery is a huge value on a $2,500 tractor.
I have almost 2 acres and the 42-in deck is right at the edge. It handles it in about 75 minutes at speed 4. If I had truly 2+ acres I'd have gone with a 46 or 48-in deck, but for what I've got the S120 is perfect. V-twin power is a big upgrade over the S100.
