John Deere S100 Review

S100 review

Our take on the John Deere S100

The John Deere S100 is the entry point to Deere’s 100 Series, and it is built for one job: cutting a typical suburban yard with a hydrostatic drive, a 42-inch deck and a dealer you can drive to. If you are searching for a John Deere S100 review because you are comparing it to the S110 and S120, the short version is that the S100 trades a little power and a few comfort touches for the lowest price in the lineup.

It uses a 17.5 hp single-cylinder engine rated at 500 cc and the same Tuff Torq TLT200 hydrostatic transmission found across the 100 Series. That means you get the foot-pedal driving most buyers want, with no shifting and no clutch, and a forward speed that tops out at 5.5 mph.

Engine and drive

The S100’s engine is a modest overhead-valve single with full-pressure lubrication, an oil filter and an electronic ignition. On paper it has the least power of the three S-series tractors, which matters most when you mow thick grass, slopes or wet lawns with the deck low. For a flat or gently rolling lot, it is enough, and the deck-engagement lever and 13 cutting positions give you easy control over how aggressively you cut.

Drive is two-wheel with side-by-side pedals, which is how most people expect a lawn tractor to feel. Braking is handled inside the transmission by wet discs. There is no differential lock and no cruise control, so on loose or slippery ground you will feel the limits of a two-wheel-drive layout.

The 42-inch Edge deck

The deck is a 42-inch side-discharge design built from 13-gauge steel. It ships with 3-in-1 blades, so it can discharge to the side, mulch or bag. Switching between modes does not require tools. A wash port makes it simple to hose the underside out after cutting, which helps keep the steel from rusting and the deck from clogging.

Cutting height goes from 1 to 4 inches in 13 steps of a quarter inch each, with a spring-assisted lift lever to raise and lower the deck. Mulching cover and high-performance blades are optional. If you want to bag clippings, the 6.5-bushel cut-and-throw bagger is a separate purchase.

Comfort, features and what is missing

The seat is the clearest place where the S100 shows its price. The listed seat back is about 11 inches tall, noticeably shorter than the 15-inch back on the S110 and S120. Long mowing sessions are where that difference shows. You do get a fore-aft range of about 5.5 inches, a cup holder, a storage tray and two LED headlights.

Things you will not find on the S100 include the Easy Change 30-second oil system, taillights, a 12-volt outlet and a receiver hitch. Towing is rated at 500 lb, which covers a small cart or spreader, and there is an optional rear weight bracket. Attachments mount to the CargO Mount system.

Who should buy it

Pick the S100 if your lawn is about an acre or less, the ground is mostly flat, and you want a Deere with the lowest price of the three. Step up to the S110 if you want more engine and a better seat, or to the S120 if you want a V-twin and the Easy Change oil system. The 2-year or 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty is the same on all three and transfers if you sell the tractor.