Are John Deere Mowers Good? (Explained For Beginners)
I have worked as a landscaper for more than 15 years and I love using John Deere equipment. I am happy to share my experiences with you.
I’ve been with the same company for more than five years, and my boss uses John Deere mowers exclusively. Lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers make my job much easier and our clients are satisfied. We’ve had customers who hire us year after year because they know our equipment gets the job done right.
So are John Deere Mowers Good?
John Deere mowers are easy to use, comfortable to ride, and come with an array of accessories that make my job even more enjoyable. They are durable, have a decent resale value and there is a model for every terrain. Rough and hilly to flat and smooth, there is a John Deere mower that will suit your needs. Replaceable parts are readily available offline and online.
John Deere mowers and lawn tractors make a good investment and will give many years of good use, with proper maintenance and care. These are not meant for small city and suburban lots. If you’ve got a large yard in the country or you need to have rough terrain to cover, John Deere will get the job done. These are ideal for both commercial and residential use.
As mowers go, they can be a bit pricier than their competitors, but John Deere is a name that is well known and they’ve built their reputation on providing the highest quality products. The name is synonymous with quality and excellence.
How to Choose the Right John Deere Mower
Like most brands, John Deere has multiple models to choose from. Ranging from the 100 series to the more powerful X500 series, there is a mower to suit all needs and budgets. Most of the jobs I complete in my landscaping job can be done with the S240, which has a 48” deck and a 2.5 HP engine. I have a .5 acre lot in the country, so for that, I use the S220. My wife and teenage son enjoy using it, and it gets the job done quickly.
Are John Deere lawn tractors low maintenance?
Aside from changing the oil and filters every month, the fleet of mowers my boss is relatively low maintenance. We are located in Minnesota, so we get our fair share of snow here. In the winter, the mowers are stored inside, away from the harsh elements when not in use. They are only out when they’re used for snow clearing jobs, then wiped down and stored again.
Minor replacement parts like grip handles, belts, filters, and such are a regular part of maintenance and keep in mind these machines run every single day, so they wear out faster than if you just use them for personal use once or twice a week.
Are John Deere lawn tractors easy to use?
I have found John Deere lawn mowers very easy to use, but that could be because I’ve been using them for decades! My wife and son always comment on how much they enjoy mowing our lawn with our S220. There was no huge learning curve for them to start using it comfortably, and they both love the comfortable ride and easy access to the controls. My wife is only 5’ tall, so she loves the fact she can adjust the seat up far enough for her to reach the petals.
This video explains how to operate a John Deere Mower easily.
Are John Deere lawn tractors zero turn?
The company has an assortment of lawn tractors and zero turn mowers for your convenience. If you have rough terrain to mow or you have several obstacles like gardens, trees, shrubs, etc. you may want to consider a zero turn mower.
I have used both a traditional lawn tractor and zero-turn mowers and I love them both. It really depends on what type of lawn/terrain you’re mowing as to which one is better for your needs. If you’re used to traditional mowers, the zero-turn models can take some getting used to. You may need to spend an afternoon in an open area to practice until you’re comfortable.
There is a great article here that explains the difference between a zero turn and a traditional mower.
What Accessories Can You Get for a John Deere lawn tractor?
There are several cool gadgets that can add some pizazz to your ride! LED light kits can help you see when dusk arrives so you can finish cutting with ease. For my personal tractor at home I have a seat cover that gives me a bit of extra comfort. It’s easily removed and I can throw it in the washing machine for the next use.
My boss has snow removal contracts for the winter, so plow attachments are essential. Canopies are great in the summer when the sun is beating down on you!
Other accessories include hitch kits, tractor covers and arm brackets. Some models, like the S240, come with an optional mulch control kit.
How much do John Deere lawn tractors cost?
The basic S100 model costs $1,699, and prices go up from there. The S240 is $2,599 and the X350 is $3,799.
The S100 comes with a 42” deck and 17.5 HP engine. The S240 has a 42” deck and a 21.5 HP V-Twin engine. The X350 has a 48” deck with a 21.5 HP Torque system engine.
Most of the mowers I use for my landscaping job are in the S200 series, and they give both great performance and a comfortable ride.
The website, deere.com, allows you to ‘build your own’ mower, so you can select the options you want, like a mulch kit, canopy, snow blower attachment, etc. This allows you to get the exact mower and tools you need right from the start.
While the prices are fairly competitive, you’ll find them a bit on the higher side compared with other mower brands.
How Durable are John Deere Mowers?
My boss has a fleet of about 10 John Deere mowers, a mix of lawn tractors and zero turn mowers. Of those 10, he’s only had to replace two over the last 5 years. He’s been in business for about 25 years so I’d say that’s a pretty good record. Keep in mind some of these machines are used every day, summer and winter (for snow clearing). He’s had to replace small engine parts, belts and filters every six months or so, but that’s part of general maintenance.
Oil changes are fast, less than a minute. Gas tank is easily accessible and quick to fill.
If you’re going to be using this once or twice a week for your own personal use, you can expect to get many good years out of your mower, no matter which model you buy.
If you’re using it for business/commercial use, you’ll get many good years out of it as well, with proper care.
How Good is the John Deere Warranty?
The 100-series mowers come with a 2-year/120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty; the 200-series 3-year/200-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty; and the 300-series mowers come with a 4-year/300-hour bumper to bumper warranty.
Extended warranties are available on all models.
Generally, I think this is comparable to other brands.
Do John Deere lawn tractors provide a better cut?
As I mentioned earlier, I have been in the landscaping business for more than 20 years and I have used several different mower brands. Personally, I think John Deere is a superior brand, partly because they’ve been in the game for a long time; since 1837, in fact. That’s given them time to perfect their products.
Of course, my opinion only counts for so much. Our customers are the ones we count on to provide honest feedback, and we aim to keep them satisfied. By all accounts, I have to say they’re very satisfied with the service we provide; and we can provide them with exceptional service because we use exceptional equipment.
The quality of the cut can also depend on deck size. John Deere decks range from 42” – 54”. There is a great article here about how to choose the right deck size for the job.
What Do the Reviews Say?
I checked for consumer reviews on three different sites:
Popularmechanics.com
Mowersdirect.com
Consumerreports.org
I found more than 700 reviews, and over 90% of them were positive. Many comments were in praise of the separate pedals for forward/reverse. Many others loved the high-back seat that gives a more comfortable ride. Cruise control was another hit among consumers.
The overall rating on the consumer reports website was 4.0 out of 5 stars, with 646 reviews.
A Good Investment
Overall, I’d say John Deere mowers and lawn tractors provide excellent value for the money and are a good investment. Whether you use it for your personal use or for your business, you’ll get plenty of hours out of it. Remember that while they’re not high maintenance, they do require some. The better you take care of them, the longer they’ll last (like most things!).
Reference
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/zero-turn-vs-lawn-tractor/
https://www.landscapemanagement.net/experts-tips-determining-mower-deck-size/