Lawn Mowers

John Deere lists three lawn mowers on it’s web site, the JS26, the JS36 and the JS46 all steel deck lawn mowers that are in the category of walk behind lawn mowers. We have reviewed each of these in detail on our site. If you are interested in more detail you can click one of the following links:

• John Deere JS26
• John Deere JS36
• John Deere JS46

These John Deere models have been receiving a lot of hits on our blog, so obviously there is a lot of interest in these models. Comments have ranged from fantastic to people who would never purchase another lawn mower of one of these models again.

We are really trying to assist readers to help them find good reliable equipment, so if you have one of these lawn mowers, please leave your comments and recommendations for other readers to review.

Our next post will continue in the objective of reviewing additions makes and models from various manufacturers.

The following table compares the basic attributes of these three lawn mowers and provides the reader with a high level view of the features of each. There are many more features and specifications which prospective buyers are interested in , however these are the main features that most consider first.  Width of the cut, power of the engine, propulsion and height adjustment.

Also whether you have an option to collect the grass , mulch it or spread it over the lawn through the side discharge. Hope this helps everyone.

This is a short review showing the specifications only for the John Deere JS46. If you would like the full review, visit the original page by clicking here. This is a 22 inch wide machine suitable for most urban lawns.

This lawn mower is 22 inches wide , self propelled from the rear and has a 3 in one deck – grass catcher, side discharge or mulching capability. Refer to the main review page for additional comments by other readers as well.

Specifications:

• 8.75 pound foot of torque
• 190 cc ( 11.6 cu inch) Briggs & Stratton engine
• 4 cycle, OHV engine
• 22 inch steel deck
• 1 lever adjustment system for all  wheels
• 3 in 1 discharge

Engine: 190 cc ( 11.6 cu inch) Briggs & Stratton engine

Propulsion: Variable speed , rear wheel drive

Warranty: 2 year limited warranty

Features:

• Electric start with recoil start backup
• Fixed speed throttle
• Operator presence required to operate the lawn mower
• Side discharge
• Mulching deck
• Rear bag grass catcher
• 8 inch by 2 inch front wheels; 9 inch by 2 inch rear wheels
• Fixed speed rear wheel drive

The John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 comes with a 190 cc Briggs and Stratton engine, the work horse of the small engine industry. The engine is equipped with zone start recoil rope starting system which is one of the many safety features on this self propelled lawn mower. Operators must be standing behind the lawn mower with the zone lever depressed in order to start the engine. While the engine is running, the zone lever is released the engine will automatically stop, protecting the operator from accidentally getting in the way of the cutting blades of the lawn mower.

The carburetor is designed to start without the need for priming or choking and a fresh start fuel cap can be filled with fuel stabilizer to ensure that the gasoline is always fresh for easier starting and smoother running. The engine also uses a dependable splash lubrication system to protect all of the engines parts from wear. The engine meets all CARB emission requirements.

The momentum drive system is another excellent feature of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46. The pivoting handle controls how fast the self propelled lawn mower will go based on the angle of the handle. The speed varies from zero to 4.6 miles per hour. If you prefer a constant speed you can also lock in the speed with a a drive lock key, located on the MowMentum drive handle.

The 22 inch steel deck comes with a 3 in one blade allowing the operator to chose between mulching, side discharge or rear bagging. The rear bag, the mulch cover and the side discharge deflector are all standard on the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46. The 22 inch deck is stamped from 14 gauge steel making it strong and reliable for many years.

Specifications:

190 cc or 11.6 cubic inch displacement

8.75 pound foot of torque Briggs and Stratton Engine

4 cycle side valve

22 inch steel deck

3 in 1 discharge

8 inch by 2 inch front , 9 inch by 2 inch back wheels

Engine: 190 cc or 11.6 cubic inch displacement,4 cycle side valve,Briggs and Stratton Engine

Propulsion: Variable speed , rear wheel drive

Warranty: 2 year warranty

Features:

Throttle control is fixed speed

Operator presence

Zone control

Side discharge, mulch, rear bag 2.5 bushels

One lever adjusts all four wheels

Description of the John Deere Lawn Mower JS46

The side discharge on the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 is easy to install. Just flip up the cover on the side of the deck to install the deflector and distribute the grass on the lawn. Due to the low angle of the deflector, it will prevent projectiles from being flung any distance from the lawn mower.

Changing from one mode to another is easy, can be done in minutes and without tools. The rear bag grass catcher holds 2.5 bushels and attaches easily at the back of the self propelled lawn mower.

Adjusting the height of the cut is easily done by adjusting one lever to adjust all wheels . Choose from cut heights from 1.2 inches to 4.2 inches. If you plan on mulching, the longer the grass the better since it conceals cut grass until it degrades and returns the nutrients to the lawn. John Deere feels that a cut height of 3 to 4 inches is the best height for mulching.

The handle bar is wide for comfort. The zone control is easily depressed for starting and continuous running. The engine speed is fixed at a speed of 3350 rpm to ensure smooth operation and the best quality cut. The handle bar also has 3 height adjustments to match your comfort level. No tools are needed to adjust the height. Also the handle can be folded down for compact storage and also for transport in your vehicle or trailer.

The price of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 was $499 US at the time of this review.

Delivery: The John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 can be purchased at John Deere dealers through the US and customers can arrange for in store pickup or they can arrange for delivery. Delivery will be at an extra charge and customers may want to make alternate arrangements for delivery.

Safety & Operation

Operation of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 is pretty straight forward. Always start the engine using the zone control and never circumvent this control to prevent accidents. This is one of the most significant safety additions to lawn mowers to prevent unneeded accidents.

Read the manual before you operate the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 for the first time to become familiar with all of the controls and general operation. Check the oil each time you use the mower and top up if needed. Fill the fuel tank while the engine is cold and avoid starting the engine if fuel is spilled. Wait until it has evaporated before you start the engine to avoid the possibility of fire.

Once you are finished for the day, clean off the deck on the upper side as well as the lower side to remove any debris and grass clippings. A clean deck will ensure that your deck lasts for many years and does not corrode over time.

Maintenance:

Maintenance of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS46 consists of changing the oil at regular intervals, following the guidelines in the manual. Keep the deck clean at all times, and arrange to sharpen the blade at least once per year.

The John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 comes with a 190 cc Briggs and Stratton engine, the work horse of the small engine industry. The engine is equipped with zone start recoil rope starting system which is one of the many safety features on this self propelled lawn mower. Operators must be standing behind the lawn mower with the zone lever depressed in order to start the engine. While the engine is running,  the zone lever is released the engine will automatically stop, protecting the operator from accidentally getting in the way of the cutting blades of the lawn mower.

The carburetor is designed to start without the need for priming or choking and a fresh start fuel cap can be filled with fuel stabilizer to ensure that the gasoline is always fresh for easier starting and smoother running. The engine is designed to meet all California Air Resources Board ( CARB) requirements.  The engine also uses a dependable splash lubrication system to protect all of the engines parts from wear.

The momentum drive system is another excellent feature of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36. The pivoting handle  controls how fast the self propelled lawn mower will go based on the angle of the handle. The speed varies from zero to 3.8 miles per hour. If you prefer a constant speed you can also lock in the speed with a a drive lock key, located on the MowMentum drive handle.

The 22 inch steel deck comes with a 3 in one blade allowing the operator to chose between mulching, side discharge or rear bagging.  The rear bag, the mulch cover and the side discharge deflector are all standard on the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36. The 22 inch deck is stamped from 14 gauge steel making it strong and reliable for many years.

Specifications:

190 cc or 11.6 cubic inch displacement

7 pound foot of torque Briggs and Stratton Engine

4 cycle side valve

22 inch steel deck

3 in 1 discharge

8 inch by 2 inch front , 9 inch by 2 inch back wheels

Engine: 190 cc or 11.6 cubic inch displacement,4 cycle side valve,Briggs and Stratton Engine

Propulsion: Variable speed , rear wheel drive

Warranty: 2 year warranty

Features:

Throttle control is fixed speed

Operator presence

Zone control

Side discharge, mulch, rear bag 2.5 bushels

One lever adjusts all four wheels

Description of the John Deere Lawn Mower JS36

The side discharge on the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 is esy to install. Just flip up the cover on the side of the deck to install the deflector and distribute the grass on the lawn. Due to the low angle of the deflector, it will prevent projectiles from being flung any distance from the lawn mower.

Changing from one mode to another is easy, can be done in minutes and without tools. The rear bag grass catcher  holds 2.5 bushels  and attaches easily at the back of the self propelled lawn mower.

Adjusting the height of the cut is easily done by adjusting one lever to adjust all wheels . Choose from  cut heights from 1.2 inches to 4.2 inches. If you plan on mulching, the longer the grass the better since it conceals cut grass until it degrades and returns the nutrients to the lawn.  John Deere feels that a cut height of 3 to 4 inches is the best height for mulching.

The handle bar is wide for comfort. The zone control is easily depressed for starting and continuous running. The engine speed is fixed at a speed of 3350 rpm to ensure smooth operation and the best quality cut. The handle bar also has 3 height adjustments to match your comfort level. No tools are needed to adjust the height. Also the handle can be folded down for compact storage and also for transport in your vehicle or trailer.

The price of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 was $399 US at the time of this review.

Delivery: The John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 can be purchased at John Deere dealers through the US and customers can arrange for in store pickup or they can arrange for delivery. Delivery will be at an extra charge and customers may want to make alternate arrangements for delivery.

Safety & Operation

Operation of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 is pretty straight forward. Always start the engine using the zone control and never circumvent this control to prevent accidents.  This is one of the most significant safety additions to lawn mowers  to prevent unneeded accidents.

Read the manual before you operate the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 for the first time to become familiar with all of the controls and general operation. Check the oil each time you use the mower and top up if needed. Fill the fuel tank while the engine is cold and avoid starting the engine if fuel is spilled. Wait until it has evaporated before you start the engine to avoid the possibility of fire.

Once you are finished for the day, clean off the deck on the upper side as well as the lower side to remove any debris and grass clippings. A clean deck will ensure that your deck lasts for many years and does not corrode over time.

Maintenance:

Maintenance of the John Deere self propelled Lawn Mower JS36 consists of changing the oil at regular intervals, following the guidelines in the manual. Keep the deck clean at all times, and arrange to sharpen the blade at least once per year.

The John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 is a medium priced self propelled lawn mower that will more than meet the needs of most consumers.  The combination of the famous Briggs and Stratton engine, the MowMentum drive system and the 3 in 1 deck system provides all that most consumers will need to mow the average sized lawn and then some. Add durable wheels and individual wheel adjusters with conveniently located controls and handlebars that fold down and are easily adjusted.

The Briggs and Stratton engine is designed to prevent flooding for easier starts without the need for priming or adjusting the choke. Add stabilizer to the fuel cap so that it drips into the fuel tank to ensure fresh fuel at all times. A special zone start system requires that the operator is located behind the handlebars using the extended recoil rope to start the engine while holding down the operator presence control located on the handle bar. The engine is designed to meet the California air emission standards and it uses a splash lubrication system to lubricate the engines moving parts.

The momentum drive system on the John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 allows for speeds from 0 miles per hour up to 3.6 miles per hour.  The pivoting handle controls how fast the lawn mower moves by how much the handle is pivoted. Operators can also lock in the speed by activating the drive lock  located on the drive handle.

Specifications:

7.0 pound foot of torque

190 cc ( 11.6 cu inch) Briggs & Stratton engine

4 cycle, side valve engine

22 inch steel deck

3 point adjustment system for wheels

3 in 1 discharge

Engine: 190 cc ( 11.6 cu inch) Briggs & Stratton engine

Propulsion: Variable speed , front wheel drive

Warranty: 2 year limited warranty

Features:

Fixed speed throttle

Operator presence required to operate the lawn mower

Side discharge

Mulching deck

8 inch by 2 inch wheels

Variable speed front wheel drive

Description of the John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26

The John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 comes with a 22 inch steel deck and a 3 in one blade. Operators can choose between the side discharge, the rear  bagging system or mulching the grass to return the nutrients to the lawn.  A rear bag, mulch cover and side discharge deflector are all included with this self propelled lawn mower. The wheels are made of high impact plastic with rubber tread for increased traction and longer life.  These wheels also have bushings for increased maneuverability and long life. Front wheels are 8 inches in diameter and the rear wheels are 9 inches in diameter.

Each wheel can be individually adjusted. Cutting height can be adjusted from 1.2 inches to 4.2 inches with one lever for the rear wheels and individual levers for the front wheels. If you want the best mulching results , a cutting height of 3 to 4 inches is best to conceal clippings under the surface of the lawn and also not scalp the lawn.

The handle bars on the self propelled lawn mower can easily be folded down for storage in tight locations. A unique feature of this John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 is that the handles can be adjusted to match the height of the  operator and their preference.  There are 3 height adjustments provided and no tools are required to make these adjustments.

The engine speed is kept at a constant speed of 3350 rpm to provide the best quality cut. A wide handlebar enhances operator comfort with easy access to all controls. The zone control when depressed keeps the engine running and as soon as it is release the engine will stop immediately.  This is an excellent safety feature that prevents many unnecessary accidents .

Delivery: The John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 can be purchased online and at Lowes as well as local John Deere Dealers.  Customers can pick up and take their front wheel drive lawn mower at any of these dealers. They can also have the lawn mowers delivered , however there will be a charge for delivery and it is far more economical to pick up the lawn mower yourself even if you need to borrow the neighbors van or car with a large trunk.

Safety & Operation

The John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 comes with an excellent safety control that should never be circumvented. The zone control prevents the operator from leaving the engine running while they walk away from the lawn mower or go around to the front of the machine. May accidents are prevented by these types of devices and they are one of the best safety features added to todays modern lawn mowers.

Review all of the safety guidelines in the manual prior to starting the engine for the first time. Follow these guidelines at all times to avoid any possibility of accident. The John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 comes equipped with a side discharge for grass cuttings. Take care not to allow anyone to stand in front of the side discharge to avoid being hit with any projectiles picked up by the lawn mower blade.

Slow down around any objects and also around landscaping to avoid damaging the lawn mower or the landscaping you are cutting around.

Maintenance:

Maintenance of the John Deere Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive JS26 is typical of most lawn mowers. First of all, follow the guidelines in the manual. Prior to starting the lawn mower engine each time, always check the level of oil in the engine and top up if necessary.  Fill up the fuel tank while the engine is cool to avoid causing a fire from fuel spilling onto a hot engine. If you do spill fuel , allow it to evaporate prior to starting the engine again to avoid any possibility of fire.

Change the engine oil on a regular basis as per the manual. It should be changed at least annually for the standard lawn,  however if you use the lawn more often you may need to change the oil more often as well.

The John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower is just one of the steel deck lawn mowers offered by John Deere. In fact, as one would expect they have an entire line up of landscaping equipment for small lawns, large lawns and golf course type situations. They also have many products for farming applications, however that is not the subject of this review.

Specifications

The Brigs and Stratton 6.75 Horse power engine is a 4 cycle , side valve engine that operates at a fixed speed. The deck is made of 21 inch steel, the discharge can be in one of 3 ways and the grass catcher bag is 2.5 bushels in size. This is power lawn mower with a variable speed transmission and the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower comes with a 2 year warranty. A single leaver adjusts the height of all wheels making height adjustment on the go very easy for the operator.

The Briggs and Stratton carburetor is specifically designed to prevent flooding without priming for easier starts. Fuel stabilizer can be added that drips into the fuel tank from the fuel tank cap to ensure easy starts. Zone start requires that the engine can only be started when the operator is standing behind the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower. The engine lubrication is of the splash variety which is pretty common in these types of engines.

The MowMentum transmission provides a continuously variable speed from zero to 3.6 miles per hour. A pivoting handles controls how fast the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower will travel based on the angle of the pivoting handle. There is also a locked in position to maintain a constant rate of speed.

Features

The John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower comes with a MowMentum drive system, which adjusts the speed of the mower to the speed of the operator, which is a really great feature if you are mowing a large lawn. Durable wheels are made of high impact plastic and controls are easy to operate and the handle bar is easy to adjust and can be folded down for transport or storage as needed.  Discharge bags can be attached on the side or on the rear depending on whether you are mulching or cutting grass.

Warranty

The John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower has a two year warranty. John Deere also offers a 30 day at home trial. If customers are not satisfied, they can return the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower and either get their money back or exchange the lawn mower for another machine.

Manuals

If you lose your manual, John Deere offers an online version which you can look up and download to your computer.

Price & Delivery

The price quoted on the web site is $429 US, which is the manufacturer’s suggested price. Of course dealers may sell the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower at higher or lower price depending on inventory and time of year. This price includes all taxes freight, setup and delivery. There are also two sister lawn mowers offered at slightly higher prices and additional features such as electric start.

Safety and Operation

As will all machines the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower should be operated in a safe manner and repairs and maintenance should also be completed following recommended safe conditions as stated in the manual.

When operating the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower, never allow someone to walk in front of the discharge chute to avoid sharp objects that are discharged from time to time hitting you. Even small stones can do a lot of damage if they are picked up and discharged by the lawn mower.

If you need to clear clogged grass or rope from the underside of the lawn mower, always shut the lawn mower off and disconnect the spark plug so there is no danger of an accident. These lawn mower blades are sharp and can do a great deal of damage in the flash of an eye, so take care to follow safe operating procedures.

Maintenance and repairs should be conducted in the same manner when working on the John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower. Keep the steel deck clean and free of old grass to avoid premature deterioration of the steel deck. Sharpen the blades at least annually to ensure that the blades actually cut the grass and do not tear the grass leaving a jagged appearance.

The oil should be changed at least once per year, however depending on hours of use, you may need to change the oil more often. This is relatively easy to do and will add years of use to your John Deere JS 25 walk behind mower. Always check the oil level before starting the lawn mower every time.

Again if you need to change the oil or perform other repairs always shut the engine off and disconnect the spark plug to avoid any possibility of an accident.