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A lawn tractor is a necessity if you mow more than an acre, and you would be hard-pressed to find a better overall value for large yards than the John Deere S160. I tested one for a few weeks this summer, mowing my lawn and an adjacent field, and towing different implements as well. Considering cut quality, engine power, towing ability, maneuverability, and operator comfort, I thought the performance was outstanding for the price.
John Deere S160 Riding Lawn Mower
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com
What We Like
- Excellent engine power
- Good maneuverability and comfortable ride
- Easy-to-scan dashboard
- Excellent quality of cut
What We Don’t Like
- Weak slope performance (rated for 13 degrees)
Product Specs
-
Type:
Lawn tractor -
Engine:
24 horsepower V-twin -
Cutting width:
48 inches -
Yard sizes:
1 to 2 acres
Testing the John Deere S160
The John Deere S160 features a 24 horsepower engine, hydrostatic transmission, and 48-inch 3-blade cutting deck. It is first and foremost a riding lawn mower, but equipped with a drop-pin towing hitch and a 500-pound towing capacity to take on a heavier workload. I tested it in my yard, which includes a variety of mowing obstacles, and in an adjacent field that we cut monthly. I also used it to tow a couple of heavy accessories: a dump cart loaded with firewood and a 36-inch barrel-type core aerator filled with water.
Maneuverability
I really liked how this mower moved through the landscape. It navigated smoothly around mulched tree rings as small as 36 inches in diameter and curved edges of landscape beds. After mowing two perimeter laps, it made beautiful straight-line passes across the yard with nice tight end turns within the perimeter lap zone.
A traditional strength of lawn tractors over zero-turn mowers is slope handling, where the S160 is only modestly capable. It was designed for flat and gently sloping yards, up to 13-degrees (about 23 percent, or 2.3 feet elevation change per 10 linear feet). I mowed a few spots that are closer to 25 degrees, and it did fine, although it lost traction when I started from a full stop on the steep parts. For the towing test, I stuck to the more gradual grades, and it had no problems. If you live in the hills, this mower may not be your ideal choice.
Quality of Cut
The S160 benefits from John Deere’s wealth of mower expertise. A 48-inch stamped steel side-discharge deck with three 17-inch blades makes up the cutting system. At full throttle, the blades achieve tip speeds in the 17,000 to 18,000 RPM range. This is a nice upgrade over the John Deere S130, which uses two 22-inch blades that turn at a slower 16,000 to 17,000 RPM. The trio of shorter blades in the S160 deliver more cutting power with less vibration and noise. Not only that, but the deck is made of thicker steel and includes four anti-scalp wheels instead of two.
The height-of-cut ranges from 1 inch to 4 inches, in quarter-inch increments. The cut was super clean in the yard, at 2.5 inches, as well as the field, at 4 inches. Strong airflow spread the clippings evenly over a wide area. One negative point is that those who prefer to mulch their grass clippings will have to purchase the mulching cover separately. An integrated mulch plug with mulch/discharge functionality would be a nice improvement.
Operator Comfort and Convenience
Comfort matters when you’re sitting on a mower for an hour or 2 every week. This one makes that experience something you will look forward to. Large 20×10-8 rear tires and an adjustable 15-inch two-part seat with spring suspension cushion the ride, while the 2.4-gallon gas tank ensures plenty of mowing time. I averaged 2.75 hours of operating time between fill-ups.
The S160 also boasts numerous convenience features, including an easy-to-read fuel gauge on the dash, electric PTO, and LED headlights with the on/off control built into the key switch. I really liked the ergonomic deck height adjustment lever. For ease of maintenance, it includes the John Deere 30-second oil change system—oil and oil filter in one.
Accessories
For year-round property maintenance, lawn tractors have the advantage of connecting to, or towing other implements when needed. The S160 is compatible with numerous John Deere branded accessories and many third-party offerings. John Deere offers a rear bagger, mulch kit, 44-inch snow blower, 46-inch front blade, 15- and 25-gallon tow-behind sprayers, utility carts, aerators, lawn sweepers, thatchers, and more products that are compatible with this model.
The S160 is available for purchase from The Home Depot or any John Deere dealer. Regardless of purchase location, it’s worth looking up your local dealer, where you’ll find the full range of accessories and expert service throughout the working life of the machine.
Product Comparisons
| Model | Type | Power | Cut width | Price |
| John Deere S160 | Lawn tractor | 24 hp gas engine | 48 inches | $3,299 |
| John Deere S130 See our review. |
Lawn tractor | 22 hp gas engine | 42 inches | $2,999 |
| Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT50 | Lawn tractor | 24 hp gas engine | 50 inches | $2,899 |
| Toro TimeCutter Max 50 | Zero-turn mower | 23 hp gas engine | 50 inches | $3,899 |
| Ego Power+ TR4204 | Lawn tractor | 6 56V 6Ah batteries | 42 inches | $4,399 |
Why I Think The John Deere S160 Is Worth Every Penny
If you mow more than an acre of grass, chances are you have other chores around the property as well. It doesn’t make financial or practical sense to buy the cheapest riding mower available and risk the consequences of cheap quality. The John Deere S160 is a midrange model that balances performance and price for those who want a crisp, clean cut every week, along with the flexibility to multi-task. In my backyard test, in addition to doing a beautiful job with the mowing, it proved capable of taking on fairly heavy towing needs without bogging down or losing traction. Strong capability backed by an equally strong service network equals a strong value.
So, is the John Deere S160 Riding Lawn Mower right for you?
If your yard is very hilly, you should consider a 4-wheel drive lawn tractor for safety and smooth performance. The John Deere S160 is designed to mow 1 to 2 acres of level or gently sloping grass. If that describes your yard, and you also need to do occasional hauling, snow removal, or intensive grass maintenance like dethatching and aerating, then the S160 could be right for you. It offers a comfortable ride, excellent mowing performance, and the ability to add all sorts of accessories to meet your property maintenance needs.
Where To Buy
John Deere S160 Riding Lawn Mower
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for BobVila.com
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a multimedia reporter and green industry veteran. After decades of mowing, edging, planting, pruning, irrigating, and renovating landscapes, he now tests and writes reviews about the latest hand tools, plant care products, outdoor power equipment, and other outdoor living goods.
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