Machines

A 17.5-hp (13.0-kW), single-cylinder engine has plenty of power and torque to handle tough mowing, mulching, and bagging conditions:

• Electronic ignition for fast starts
• Spring-return feature to ensure the operator will not mistakenly leave the throttle lever in the choke position
• Cast-iron cylinder liner for long engine life
• Overhead valves for excellent power and fuel economy
• Anti-vibration system
• Full-pressure lubrication and oil filter for cleaner oil, prolonging engine life, and extending the time between oil changes
  • More effective when operating the tractor on an incline
• Large fuel filter for trouble-free operation

The no-tools oil drain valve is easy to access when changing engine oil.

Fuel tank has gauge to show fuel level from the operator's seat

The fuel tank gauge shows how much fuel is in the tank and can be seen without leaving the operator's seat:

• Easy to check fuel level
• Convenient location

Fuel tank:

• The capacity is 2.4 U.S. gal. (9.1 L).
• The fuel-filler opening is conveniently located under the seat. 
  • Filling the tank without spilling is easy.
  • A tethered fuel tank cap is more convenient.
  • The sealed fuel cap helps keep vapors inside the tank.
  • The tractor has a California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine for reduced air pollution.

The solid one-piece frame is constructed of 12-gauge, 0.105-in. (2.66-mm) steel:

• Full-length, robotically-welded frame design has high-strength steel rails for added strength and long life.
• One-piece, steel fender deck is bolted to the frame.

Cast-iron front axle will not bend

The front axle is constructed of solid cast iron that will not bend:

• Automotive-like steering system with sector and pinion steering gears and single drag link with a tie rod provides a very strong, low-effort, and tight-turning system.
• Three grease fittings, on both steering spindles and center pivot, allow for regular lubrication to help maintain easy steering and minimize wear.
• Large, 0.75-in. (1.9-cm) diameter wheel spindles provide excellent durability.

CargO Mount™ system makes installation of rear bagger and other attachments easy

The CargO Mount system is a combination of front- and rear-mounting points providing convenient and easy installation of the sun canopy, rear bagger, and other attachments.

An advantage of lawn tractors is their ability to use equipment for snow removal. Lawn tractor owners can add a John Deere snow blower or front blade to make quick work of moving snow whenever the need arises. Weather enclosure and tire-chain attachments add comfort and performance.

Equipment available for snow removal includes:

• 44-in. (112-cm) Snow Blower
• 46-in. (117-cm) Front Blade
• Tire chains or TerraGrip traction belts
• Weather enclosure
• Weights

 

The automatic transmission allows the operator to easily choose the desired forward or reverse travel speed by simply depressing a single foot pedal; this is similar to the way the driver of an automobile with automatic transmission changes speed when depressing the accelerator.

Whether a slow speed for trimming or faster speed for open-area mowing is desired, the operator can easily adjust by how far the foot pedal is depressed.

With the brake pedal depressed and the forward/reverse lever in the center position, the engine can be started. Once the engine is started, it is not necessary to use the brake pedal when selecting forward or reverse. Simply move the forward/reverse lever to select travel direction, and then press the automatic foot pedal to choose from an infinite number of travel speeds.

With the automatic speed control pedal, the operator can choose from an infinite number of speeds forward or reverse:

• Forward: 0 to 5.5 mph (0 to 8.9 km/h)
• Reverse: 0 to 3.2 mph (0 to 5.1 km/h)

The operator station is designed for operator comfort and easy operation:

• Controls are positioned where they are easy to reach and easy to use to control the tractor.
• Steering wheel is positioned and angled to give the operator plenty of room and steering comfort.
• Seat is tilted back at the optimum angle to provide the most comfortable operator position.

Controls are easy to see and use:

• Large, three-spoke steering wheel for greater operator comfort and control
• Ignition switch is on the dash for starting ease

Wide footrest areas with non-slip, anti-vibration floor mats are provided for operator comfort:

• Footrest area is designed for optimum operator comfort
• Debris-removing channels help keep the footrest area clean and dry

The operator seat has an 11-in. (27.9-cm) back height for good support. It can be easily adjusted forward or rearward while the operator is in the seat, with seat travel of 5.5 in. (14 cm) and 10 different positions.

A beverage holder is located on the right-side fender for operator convenience.

Two long seat springs give plenty of seat travel to smooth out the ride, keeping the operator comfortable while operating the tractor.

Seat can be tilted forward for protection from the elements and to provide easy access to the fuel tank.

Instruments and controls

The contoured dash has clean, attractive styling:

• Controls are color coded and labeled for easy identification by the operator.
• Controls are logically placed and easy to reach.
• The hour meter makes it easy to tell when oil changes and other maintenance should be performed.
• The service reminder feature will indicate that a general lubrication or mower/engine service interval has been reached.
• When service is required, arrows will periodically flash for two hours.
• Functional design of the controls provides good appearance and a comfortable feel.

Mower deck height adjustment

A spring-assisted, low-effort lift lever simplifies setting and adjusting the mower cut height:

• Increments of 0.25-in. (0.64-cm) allow for fine-tuning the cut height.
• Cut height is adjustable from 1-in. (2.5 cm) to 4 in. (10.2 cm).

Parking brake control

The parking brake control is conveniently located on the tractor pedestal for easy access. It holds the brake pedal securely in the locked position.

Manual power take-off (PTO)

The mower deck is engaged with the easy-to-see and easy-to-use yellow lever above the dashboard. Its placement on the right side leaves a lot of room on the left, the entry side of the tractor, for the operator to get on and off the tractor.

Reverse implement option (RIO)

Using RIO

CAUTION: Children or bystanders may be injured by rotating blades. Before traveling forward or rearward:

• Carefully check the area around the machine.
• Disengage the mower before backing up.

 

NOTE: Backing up while the mower is engaged is strongly discouraged. RIO should be used only when operating another attachment or when the operator deems it necessary to reposition the machine with the mower engaged.

 

1. Stop forward travel.
2. Look behind the machine to be sure there are no bystanders.
3. Push and hold in the RIO switch while depressing the reverse pedal slightly for a hydrostatic transmission or moving the transmission shift lever to the rear slot (reverse) for a continuously variable transmission (CVT)/automatic transmission.

 

NOTE: If the engine and mower or other attachment stops while repositioning the machine, return the attachment engagement lever/switch to the off position. Start the engine and engage mower or other attachment. Begin again with step 2.

 

4. Release the RIO switch and reposition the machine as the machine begins to move rearward.
5. Resume forward travel. The mower or other attachment should continue operating.
6. Repeat procedure to position the machine again.

The one-piece hood opens easily to permit checking and servicing the engine:

• Important service points are located within easy reach.
• A service interval decal is provided inside the tractor hood for convenience when servicing the tractor.
• Hour meter includes a service reminder feature that flashes for two hours when a lubrication or mower/engine service interval has been reached.

The engine fuel and oil filters, the oil check/fill tube, and the oil drain tube are exposed for serviceability when the hood is opened.

The seat tilts up and out of the way to make adding fuel easy.

The 100 Series Tractors are covered by a 2-year/120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty*:

• Premium features of 100 Series Tractors allow for this long warranty period.

*Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.

Hood will not dent or rust and includes quality headlights for good visibility

The hood is made of molded-in color material:

• Reduces sound
• Will not rust or dent
• Openings on the side of the hood let in plenty of cooling air while keeping the sound level low.
• Two headlights provide good lighting for nighttime operation.

Keep a John Deere riding lawn mower running its best and know how it mows with the John Deere MowerPlus app. Simply scan the lawn tractor’s barcode to get custom information. The app helps determine the best time to mow, communicates expert pre-mow tips, offers maintenance reminders, and provides walk-through guides.

Look for the MowerPlus app on the iOS® or Android™ system app stores.

The app supports residential lawn equipment such as 100 Series, S240, X300, X500, X700, Z200 through Z600, and many similarly-sized older products. It does not presently support tractor models numbered 1000 and larger, such as 1025R.

NOTE: Some product image variation may exist.

 

MowerPlus hour meter connector also available (sold separately)

The John Deere MowerPlus hour meter connector wirelessly links a 100 Series or S240 Lawn Tractor to the MowerPlus app on a mobile device. The hour meter connector transmits engine usage to the app, making it easy to track maintenance intervals:

• iOS version 10 or higher is compatible with the hour meter connector.
• Android versions are not compatible with the hour meter connector at this time.

iOS is a trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc. used under license by Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

The Edge cutting system has been trademarked to emphasize the advantages of the John Deere mower deck designs. They give the mower superior convenience, performance, and reliability.

The 42-in. (107-cm) two-spindle, three-in-one mower is constructed of 13-gauge, 0.090-in. (2.3-mm) steel for long life:

• The mower deck has a rolled lip to provide greater strength and protection.
• The deep-deck mower design lifts grass for a clean, even cut.
• The smooth underside of the mower prevents grass buildup and evenly disperses grass clippings.
• The rolled outer edge of the deck provides extra strength and protection.
• Dual-stage E-coat and powder paint coatings provide extra protection from rust.
• No tools are required to go from mulching to side discharge to rear bagging.
• The blade-to-spindle design provides a unique mounting system for the mower blade that provides extra safety and convenience.
• A mulch cover is an optional attachment that can be installed without tools to allow mulching with the standard mower blades.   
• A high-performance mulch plug is an optional attachment that includes a mulch plug and special mulching blades for excellent performance.
• A cut-and-throw, 6.5-bu (229-L) rear bagger is sold separately.

Mower wash port

A wash port is provided to make cleaning the underside of the mower deck easy:

• A hose connector is included with mower deck.

StarLock™ blade design

The StarLock blade design keeps the blade bolt at the correct torque for easy removal.

Optional blades for difficult mulching or bagging conditions are available.

Mower deck height adjustment

A spring-assisted, low-effort, ergonomically designed lift lever simplifies setting and adjusting the mower cut height:

• Increments of 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) allow the operator to fine-tune the cut height from 1 in. (2.5 cm) to 4 in. (10.2 cm). 
• The lift handle is shaped and located for easy use, and is out of the way of entering or exiting operators.

An exclusive 2-year or 120-hour (whichever comes first), single-source, bumper-to-bumper warranty* is standard for all John Deere 100 Series Tractors.

• The warranty is hassle free, with one company handling all of the paperwork.
• Premium features of 100 Series Tractors allow for this longer warranty period, with more coverage than comparable tractors.

*Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.