Product Description
The John Deere S100 42-Inch Lawn Tractor is a residential riding mower designed around straightforward controls, hydrostatic drive and John Deere’s 42-inch Edge cutting system.
Power is supplied by a 17.5 HP single-cylinder gasoline engine with a published displacement of 30.5 cubic inches, equivalent to approximately 500cc. John Deere identifies the engine as Model 31R977 (M31) and specifies an overhead-valve design, full-pressure lubrication and a replaceable oil filter.
Unlike a manual gear-drive lawn tractor, the S100 uses a hydrostatic transmission with side-by-side pedals. Separate forward and reverse pedals allow ground speed and direction to be controlled without manually shifting through fixed gears. The tractor uses conventional 2-wheel drive.
Cutting is handled by a 42-inch / 107cm Edge™ mower deck. John Deere uses this deck size throughout several models in the 100 Series, but the S100 remains distinguished by its 17.5 HP single-cylinder engine and mechanical deck/PTO configuration rather than the more powerful V-twin and electric-PTO setups found farther up the range.
The cutting height can be adjusted through approximately 1 to 4 inches, allowing the deck to be set for different maintained grass heights. A spring-assisted hand-grip lift lever helps raise and lower the mower deck.
The tractor carries 2.4 U.S. gallons / 9.1 liters of fuel, with the fuel tank positioned at the rear. John Deere’s current specification also identifies a mechanical fuel-level gauge that can be viewed from the operator position.
For residential ownership, the S100 carries John Deere’s 2-year / 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty, whichever limit is reached first, subject to the manufacturer’s warranty terms.
Key Features
- Current John Deere S100
- 100 Series residential lawn tractor
- 17.5 HP / 13kW engine
- Approx. 500cc displacement
- Single-cylinder configuration
- OHV engine design
- Full-pressure engine lubrication
- Replaceable oil filter
- Electric starting
- 42-inch Edge cutting system
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Side-by-side forward and reverse pedals
- 2-wheel drive
- Spring-assisted mower-deck lift
- Approximately 1–4-inch cutting-height range
- 2.4-gallon fuel tank
- Mechanical fuel gauge
- 20×8-8 rear tires
- Residential riding-mower configuration
- Assembled in Tennessee
- 2-year / 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty
Current John Deere specifications confirm the core 17.5 HP, 42-inch deck, hydrostatic transmission and warranty configuration.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | John Deere S100 |
|---|---|
| Brand | John Deere |
| Series | 100 Series |
| Model | S100 |
| Product Type | Residential Lawn Tractor |
| Engine Power | 17.5 HP / 13.0 kW |
| Engine Model | 31R977 (M31) |
| Engine Displacement | 30.5 cu. in. / Approx. 500cc |
| Cylinders | 1 |
| Engine Type | OHV |
| Cooling | Air |
| Lubrication | Full Pressure |
| Oil Filter | Replaceable |
| Governor | Mechanical |
| Fuel Delivery | Pulse Pump / Carburetor |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.4 U.S. gal. / 9.1 L |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
| Transmission Controls | Side-by-Side Pedals |
| Drive System | 2-Wheel Drive |
| Cutting Width | 42 in. / 107 cm |
| Deck | Edge Cutting System |
| Cutting Height | Approx. 1–4 in. |
| Deck Lift | Spring-Assisted Hand Lever |
| Rear Tires | 20 × 8-8 |
| Warranty | 2 Years / 120 Hours |
These values are taken from John Deere’s current S100 and 100 Series product specifications.
Engine Configuration
17.5 HP Single-Cylinder Engine
Power: 17.5 HP / 13 kW
Displacement: 30.5 cu. in. / approx. 500cc
Model: 31R977 (M31)
Cylinders: 1
Type: Overhead Valve
Cooling: Air
Lubrication: Full Pressure
Oil Filter: Replaceable
John Deere identifies these specifications directly for the current S100.
Transmission Configuration
Two-Pedal Hydrostatic
The S100 uses:
Hydrostatic Transmission
with:
Side-by-Side Forward and Reverse Pedals
and:
2-Wheel Drive.
This should not be described as a manual 5-, 6- or 7-speed gear transmission.
Cutting Deck Configuration
42-Inch Edge™ Mower Deck
Cutting Width: 42 in. / 107 cm
Deck Family: Edge™ Cutting System
John Deere’s current 100 Series comparison confirms the 42-inch Edge deck for the S100.
Cutting Height Configuration
John Deere mower documentation lists an approximate height-of-cut range of:
1–4 Inches / 25–100 mm.
Deck positioning is controlled through a:
Spring-Assisted Hand-Grip Lever.
Fuel Configuration
2.4-Gallon Fuel Tank
Fuel Capacity: 2.4 U.S. gal. / 9.1 L
The tank is positioned at the rear and includes a mechanical fuel-level indication visible from the operator position.
Tire Configuration
Rear Tires
20 × 8-8
John Deere’s current S100 key specification confirms this rear-tire size.
Deck Lift Configuration
The S100 includes a:
Spring-Assisted Hand-Grip Deck Lift
designed to reduce the effort required to raise and lower the 42-inch mower deck.
Clipping Configuration
The standard 42-inch Edge deck is designed primarily for mowing and side-discharge operation.
Compatible John Deere equipment can provide additional clipping-management options such as:
- Mulching
- Grass collection
These accessory configurations should be treated as optional unless your specific retail bundle includes them.
What’s Included
Standard mower configuration includes:
- 1 × John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor
- 17.5 HP single-cylinder engine
- 42-inch Edge mower deck
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Side-by-side forward/reverse pedals
- Starting battery
- Operator seat
- Standard cutting blades
- Deck-lift system
- Factory safety controls
- Product documentation
Optional Equipment – Not Included Unless Bundled
Compatible accessory categories may include:
- 42-inch grass collection system
- Mulching attachment
- Tow-behind utility cart
- Spreader
- Aerator
- Lawn sweeper
- Tractor cover
- Seasonal lawn-care attachments
Only list accessories as included if they are actually part of the package being sold.
Warranty Information
John Deere 2-Year / 120-Hour Bumper-to-Bumper Manufacturer Warranty, whichever occurs first, subject to John Deere warranty terms and exclusions.

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