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Beginning with the wildly popular model 110, John Deere lawn tractors have been a staple of the lawn and garden industry for more than 60 years. From the start, these green machines were designed to do more than simply cut grass. The model 110 came equipped with a 38-inch mowing deck, with optional snow blower, push blade, and front loader attachments available. Today’s John Deere lawn tractors showcase one of the best lawn mower brands’ continued focus on thoughtful design and year-round functionality. We tested two of them to learn more from a buyer’s perspective.
Choosing the right lawn tractor for your property depends on the property size, the lay of the land, the chores, the climate, and your budget. A surprising number of options are available. Retail models can be upgraded with a wide range of attachments after the purchase. Dealer models can be customized with different mowing deck sizes, utility carts, snow removal equipment, and other specialized equipment within the transaction, or upgraded later. We named the X370 Best Overall because it offers outstanding power, performance, and user comfort at a fair price in its base configuration and has a good variety of customization options.
- BEST OVERALL: John Deere X370 Lawn Tractor
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: John Deere X570 Lawn Tractor With 54-Inch Deck
↓ Jump to Review - BEST 4-WHEEL DRIVE: John Deere X739 Signature Series Lawn Tractor
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested: | 4 |
| Hours spent testing: | 10 |
| Tests performed: | 5 |
| Price range: | $2,899 to $5,099 and up |
Our Top Picks
This respectable brand produces a wide variety of mowing equipment, from commercial zero-turn-radius (ZTR) mowers to lawn tractors and beyond. If you’re in the market for a dependable and versatile lawn tractor, you won’t go wrong with one of these.
Best Overall
John Deere X370 Lawn Tractor
Our Ratings: Maneuverability 5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Versatility 4.5/5; Operator Comfort 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Engine: 21.5 horsepower (hp)
- Deck size: 42 inches
- Max forward speed: 5.8 miles per hour (mph)
- Towing capacity: 600 pounds
What We Like
- Comfortable ride and smooth steering
- Superior cut with evenly distributed, wide-spread discharge
- Easy to operate
- Power steering, cruise control, and wet disc brakes
What We Don’t Like
- No locking rear differential
Our favorite John Deere lawn tractor for year-round property maintenance is the X370. This model comes equipped with a 21.5 hp iTorque engine, a 42-inch Accel Deep mowing deck, and 2-wheel power steering. Everything about it seems to make yard work more enjoyable. The 18-inch high-back seat delivered a seriously comfortable ride, with adjustable suspension springs and a smooth-sliding 15-position fore-aft adjustment system. Power steering allows it to carve incredibly tight turns with minimal operator strain.
In action, the premium “Accel Deep” mowing deck was noticeably more effective than the “Edge” deck that came with John Deere’s retail models. It produced powerful airflow to stand grass blades upright, ensuring a crisp, clean cut without double mowing or slowing to a crawl. It also discharged the finely chopped grass clippings across a wide area, avoiding clumps and windrows, even in tall grass. The hydraulic deck lift and deck height dial made these functions almost effortless.
The X370 has a maximum towing capacity of 600 pounds. When we attached our utility cart, loaded with 560 pounds of concrete mix, it had no trouble pulling the load 100 yards up a 10-degree slope. In terms of versatility, it can be upgraded with a front blade, snow blower, weather enclosure, tow-behind or mounted sprayers and spreaders, and 16 different John Deere tow-behind tools.
Get the X370 John Deere lawn tractor at John Deere.
Best Bang for the Buck
John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor
Our Ratings: Maneuverability 5/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Versatility 4.5/5; Operator Comfort 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Engine: 22 hp
- Deck size: 42 inches
- Max forward speed: 5.5 mph
- Towing capacity: 500 pounds
What We Like
- Higher vantage point than the competition
- Electric blade engagement and spring-assist deck lift
- Smooth, quiet hydrostatic drive system
- Compatible with snow removal equipment
What We Don’t Like
- Tires lost traction on steeper slopes
The John Deere S130 lawn tractor was the only model we tested that is available from John Deere retailer partners. We really liked the way it mowed and handled, especially at such an affordable price. It features a two-piece padded seat, a powerful 22 hp engine, and an Edge 42-inch mowing deck. The hydrostatic drive system is controlled with side-by-side forward and reverse pedals. It comes with a wealth of user-friendly features that we put through the paces during hands-on testing and will accept John Deere’s wide range of attachments.
Compared to other lawn tractors at the store, the S130 driver’s seat sat a couple of inches higher and provided a clearer view of the surroundings. The deck lift lever was also a lot easier to operate than most of the competition. When we mowed with it, the cut quality was quite good on the established lawn, but the field needed a second pass to look its best. We also noticed the Edge deck was slightly more powerful than the Accel Deep deck when it came to distributing clippings, but that was most apparent in the tall grass.
We towed 480 pounds of concrete in a utility cart without straining the frame, but the tires did lose some traction on steeper parts of the lawn. John Deere does not recommend this model for mowing slopes steeper than 13 degrees, so that was to be expected. Additional highlights included the relatively quiet hydrostatic transaxle that produced almost no extra noise and superbright headlights to help with nighttime work.
Read our full review: John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor
Get the S130 John Deere lawn tractor at your local John Deere dealer.
Best for Large Yards
John Deere X570 Lawn Tractor With 54-Inch Deck
Our Ratings: Maneuverability 5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Operator Comfort 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Engine: 24 hp
- Deck size: 54 inches
- Max forward speed: 7.2 mph
- Towing capacity: 800 pounds
What We Like
- Powerful 24 hp engine
- 54-inch deck for quick mowing
- Easily navigates around landscape obstacles
- Locking rear differential for improved traction
What We Don’t Like
- Manual steering requires more effort on turns
The John Deere X570 lawn tractor is an excellent mower for large properties and may also be the best John Deere garden tractor for the job. It comes with a 54-inch mowing deck, a 24 hp engine, and a top speed of 7.2 miles per hour to make quick work of grass cutting and other landscaping chores. The X570 has a mulching capability that cuts and uniformly distributes the clippings on the lawn, eliminating the need for bagging. Users can switch between mulching mode and side-discharge mode.
The lawn tractor features 24-inch rear wheels for added traction and a smooth ride. Like other John Deere lawn tractors, the X570 has a hydrostatic transmission and side-by-side forward and reverse pedals. It also features a 15-inch open-back seat and an easy-to-see fuel gauge on the dash.
The X570 accepts dozens of John Deere attachments and accessories, including a rear bagger, utility cart, snow blade, and sun shade. Add the rotary tiller, moldboard plow, cultivator, sprayer, or spreader attachments to make it a garden tractor. The optional soft-sided enclosure would be nice for working in inclement weather, too.
Get the X570 John Deere lawn tractor from John Deere.
Best 4-Wheel Drive
John Deere X739 Signature Series Lawn Tractor
Our Ratings: Maneuverability 5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Versatility 5/5; Operator Comfort 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Engine: 25.5 hp
- Deck size: 48-inch, 54-inch, or 60-inch deck
- Max forward speed: 8.5 mph
- Towing capacity: 1,200 pounds
What We Like
- Power of a subcompact tractor
- Electronic fuel injection system
- Hydrostatic 4-wheel drive and locking rear differential
- Rated for slopes up to 18 degrees
- 540 revolutions per minute (RPM) Power Take-Off (PTO)
- Optional Category 1 3-point hitch and lots of attachments
What We Don’t Like
- Much more expensive than the 500 series
The John Deere X739 is a large, powerful machine that bridges the gap between lawn tractors and subcompact tractors. It boasts a liquid-cooled 25.5 horsepower electronic fuel-injected engine, hydrostatic 4-wheel drive, and a locking rear differential for superior control on slopes and in slippery conditions. It also features 4-wheel steering, giving it the ability to maneuver around trees, landscape beds, and other obstacles without making tedious three-point turns. This enhanced steering concept also helps smooth out the ride and works great while mowing hillsides or plowing a steep driveway.
You will have the option to choose from three different mowing decks up to 60 inches when ordering a custom X739. Its tight turn radius and mowing speed of up to 8.5 miles per hour rivals the best John Deere zero-turn mower on flat terrain, but this machine truly excels on rolling terrain where zero-turn mowers falter.
Another handy set of features for extended use includes standard headlights, taillights, and rear work lights that add visibility when tackling chores in low-light conditions. Plus, the X739 can be highly customized, not only with snow removal, agricultural, and property maintenance attachments but also with advanced features such as a hard-size cab with built-in rollover protection.
Get the X739 John Deere lawn tractor from John Deere.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best John Deere Lawn Tractors
We spent 5 weeks working with each of the test models, which gave us plenty of time to get a feel for them in different work conditions. Our tests primarily focused on mowing, but we also tested towing capabilities. The property included 1 acre of lawn grass interspersed with landscape beds and mulched tree rings, plus 15,000 square feet of minimally maintained field weeds and grass on rolling terrain. We mowed the lawn five times and the field once with each lawn tractor. Throughout the process, we noted mowing speed and cut quality, maneuverability, handling on slopes, user comfort, and overall ease of operation.
What to Consider When Choosing a John Deere Lawn Tractor
Top-of-the-line John Deere mowers and lawn tractors are not inexpensive, but they can be a wise long-term investment in high-quality yard care equipment. To choose the best John Deere tractor for your lawn and landscape, consider the yard size, engine power, and the types of work you would like to accomplish in addition to mowing.
Engine Source and Power
Lawn tractor engines are measured in horsepower. The larger the engine, the more powerful the machine. John Deere uses a variety of engine sizes in its lawn tractors. Engines produced specifically for John Deere may be made by Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, or Kawasaki, but they are often listed as “John Deere–branded engines.”
The engines range from a 17.5 hp up to 24 hp Briggs & Stratton in the S100 model series. In the X500 and higher series, buyers will find higher-power options, including a 25.5 hp Kawasaki engine.
In addition to engine size and type, John Deere makes it easy to put all that power to use by implementing hydrostatic transmissions in most of its machines. This type of transmission converts the power generated by the engine into fluid power that drives the shaft. Hydrostatic transmissions are valued because they conserve energy, operate quietly, and reduce wear and tear on moving parts.
Deck Size and Cutting Options
On lawn tractors, deck size indicates how quickly the user can cut the grass. John Deere lawn tractors feature deck sizes ranging from 42 to 60 inches. Compared with some push mowers with deck sizes as small as 18 inches, it’s easy to see how the larger decks on lawn tractors will cut much wider swaths and significantly reduce the time it takes to mow a lawn.
In addition to deck size, mowing height is a consideration. Most lawn tractors can be adjusted to cut as low as 1 inch or as high as 4 to 5 inches. On some models, mowing height is adjusted with a hand lever. In contrast, some of the pricier models come with a hydrostatic dial that allows the user to adjust the height in inches, and then the deck automatically adjusts to suit.
Yard Size and Ground Type
In general, riding mowers and lawn tractors are well suited to cutting large lawns with at least 1 to 3 acres of grass. Depending on the speed at which the user operates the lawn tractor, the yard can be mowed in a fraction of the time it would take with a push mower.
Still, not all yards are suitable for mowing with riding mowers or lawn tractors. If the yard is small or there are many trees and other obstacles to navigate, a large riding machine may be too cumbersome. Plus, it may be too wide to fit through a yard gate.
Steeply sloped terrain can also be a hazard for a riding tractor, which tends to tip if the user is mowing along the side of a steep slope. However, the risk is reduced by mowing either going up or down the hill rather than sideways. When considering mowing on steep or rough terrain, always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
Fuel Capacity or Battery Life
All John Deere lawn tractors are powered by gas or diesel engines, such as the 2.4-gallon gasoline engine in the S100 model. The company offers higher-capacity tanks on some of its larger models, such as the X570, which has a 4.4-gallon tank.
Larger fuel tanks provide longer runtimes and the extra power necessary for operating attachments. They’re most often found on bigger lawn tractors, which use fuel more quickly. Larger tanks also translate into less frequent fill-ups, but they also require storing more gasoline in a garage or shed.
Controls and Comfort
John Deere’s residential lawn tractors are designed to maximize user comfort and include features such as Twin Touch forward and reverse foot pedals that allow the user to change the machine’s direction. This is a user-friendly way to control the movement of the tractor compared with what was available on older models, which required stopping the machine and then using a hand-shift gear to change directions.
All of John Deere’s basic lawn tractor models come with power steering, a feature that may be missing from some less expensive brands. In addition, the standard John Deere seat is a two-part seat with a backrest that allows air circulation between the two seats, won’t hold water, and may be less likely to rip as one-piece seats are prone to do.
Attachments
Some of the larger John Deere lawn tractors can be fitted with agricultural-type attachments that expand their versatility. Users can opt for a special-order backhoe attachment or a front-end loader that simplifies digging and moving dirt or compost. These attachments are installed at the factory before the tractor is delivered.
Standard attachments that will fit most John Deere lawn tractors include an adjustable chute that ejects grass clippings, a sun shade to protect skin, a rear bagger to collect clippings, and more. Attachments are available for using the machines during any season of the year. If the goal is to find the right option that provides mowing capability only, John Deere also makes some of the best John Deere riding mower options.
FAQs
Buying a lawn tractor is an investment in the landscape. Numerous manufacturers make lawn tractors, but the John Deere name has become synonymous with high-quality machinery and agricultural equipment. Those looking to buy their first John Deere lawn tractor will probably have a few questions.
The best tractor depends on an individual buyer’s needs. Models in the 100 Series, from which we’ve selected multiple picks for this lineup, are most likely to be sold at local home improvement stores. Still, models in other series are just as durable, although some may have to be special ordered from the company or through a local John Deere dealer.
John Deere uses a variety of engines in its lawn tractors, including Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki. However, because some of these engines are manufactured explicitly for John Deere, they may be listed as “John Deere–branded” engines. Users can google the engine model number to find out its manufacturer.
Meet the Tester
With more than 20 years of experience in the nursery and landscaping industries, Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester who reviews all the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.
Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor.
