Strengths NONE.I CUT ABOUT 1/4 OF AN ACRE OF GRASS.THE FIRST TIME I USED THIS MOWER,IT LEAKED EVERY DROP OF OIL THAT CAME IN IT ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE (3HRS.)I PURCHASED THIS MOWER FROM HOME DEPOT,BUT MY LOCAL DEALER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WARRANTY WORK.REPAIR#1-REMOVE ENGINE,REMOVE CLUTCH OR PULLEY AND BELT,REMOVE AND REPLACE CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL.REFILL WITH OIL AND REINSTALL ALL PARTS.ALSO REPLACED PAN GASKET.TESTED ENGINE AND IT WAS STILL LEAKING THROUGH BOLT HOLE BEHIND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. REMOVED ENGINE AGAIN, DISASSEMBLED AGAIN,REMOVED PISTONS AND CRANKSHAFT AGAIN AND INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. INSTALLED NEW CAM SHAFT AND LIFTERS. REMOVED OIL PUMP AND INSTALLED IN NEW PAN HOUSING. CLEANED HEADS AND INSTALLED ON BLOCK. INSTALLED CARBURETOR AND INTAKE PIPE.INSTALLED GOVENOR LINKAGE. INSTALLED NEW PAN GASKET. REMOVED GOVENOR FLY WEIGHTS AND GEAR FROM OLD BLOCK AND INSTALLED ON NEW BLOCK. REASSEMBLED AND REINSTALLED ENGINE.REINSTALLED ALL PARTS. ADJUSTED VALVES, INSTALLED VALVE COVERS,AND ADJUSTED GOVENOR LINKAGE. ADJUSTED IDLE AND FULL THROTTLE RPM'S. PARTS-$ 635.79 LABOR-$894.60 REPAIR TOTAL $1530.3. WORK ORDER TOTALS-PARTS 635.79 LABOR-1104.60 INTERNAL TOTAL $1770.49. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOW MY GRASS, IF I COULD GET MY MOWER TO START. I PUT UP WITH THIS UNTILL THE MOWER HAD 35 HRS. ON IT AND I FINALLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO MAKE IT RIGHT.(HARD TO START) TESTED ENGINE,ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER,CHECKED FOR FIRE. THERE WAS FIRE ON BOTH CYLINDERS. CHECKED COMPRESSION. COMPRESSION WAS LOW ON BOTH CYLINDERS. ADJUSTED THE VALVES. RAN COMPRESSION TEST AGAIN, AND IT WAS GOOD. STARTED ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES. LET RUN FOR 1 HOUR. RUNS AND STARTS GOOD.(UNTILL I GOT IT BACK HOME-STILL VERY HARD TO START.)ALSO FOUND ALL SPINDLES,IDLERS, AND BELT BAD ON DECK. REPLACED ALL SPINDLES,IDLERS AND BELT. SPINDLE BEARINGS FAILED, CAUSING BELT TO JAM, CUTTING IT. TOTAL CHARGE FOR THIS TRIP TO THE SHOP-$1200.00

Weaknesses I'VE TOLD ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS MOWER. LUCKILY ALL OF THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. NOW WITH ONLY 50 HRS. ON THIS MOWER, IT'S BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN.THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL IS LEAKING OIL AND THE O-RING FOR THE OIL PUMP IS LEAKING AS WELL.(ANOTHER $400.00 FOR THIS REPAIR.) I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS PIECE OF S#IT. MAYBE I CAN FIND ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT NEEDS A GOOD BOAT ANCHOR FOR THEIR FISHING BOAT DOWN IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

Overall ALOT OF FOLKS THAT BOUGHT JOHN DEERE MOWERS FROM HOME DEPOT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR MOWERS AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS BUT THEIR MOWERS ARE SHIPPED TO THEM FROM JOHN DEERE IN METAL CRATES. THEY ARE THEN UNCRATED BY A JOHN DEERE DEALER TECH. THEY CHECK THE DECK TO MAKE SURE IT IS LEVEL, AND PERFORM OTHER SERVICES TO MAKE SURE THESE MOWERS ARE READY FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.THE ONLY THING HOME DEPOT DOES IS ROLL THE MOWERS OUT TO THE SHOWROOM AND COLLECT MONEY FOR SELLING THEM AND NOTHING ELSE. HOW DO I KNOW THIS, I WAS A REP IN THE HOME DEPOT STORES IN THE SOUTHWEST DIVISION FOR YEARS.(LA. MISSISSIPPI, & TEXAS) BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I WAS A REP FOR JOHN DEERE LAWNMOWERS!!!!!! NOW AFTER BUYING ONE FOR MYSELF, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE OF THEIR MOWERS TO ANYONE.(MIGHT MAKE A GOOD BOAT ANCHOR)

Strengths Great cut, plenty of power, comfortable ride.

Weaknesses Gas tank location is awkward.

Overall I bought my L120 in May, 2005 and after 4 years it has performed like a champ with absolutely no problems. I have had none of the issues some seem to have. I mow between 1 and 1 1/2 acres, mosty flat with just one small hill. I also spread fertilizer and occasionally use it to haul the 10P cart when doing mulching. FOr a much larger lawn or more rigorous duty, some of the larger (and more expensive) models would probably be better, but if like most, you are using it to mow less than a couple of acres, this is a fine machine. It is not a John Deere X-series, but in my opinion it is far superior to the competitors in it's market, i.e. Craftsman, Husquvarna, MTD, Troy-Bilt, etc.

Strengths easy to use, great up hills, good finish on lawn - but will still cope with scrub

Weaknesses spindles should have had grease nipples - but given the work it gets, it is understandable that these parts needed replacing

Overall This mower gets an absolute flogging on our central Queensland property (australia) - up hills, scrub, rocks and lawn around our house. It's either used in the wet season against heavy (and long) grass or in the dry in dust storms. Would mow an average of 2 acres of combined conditions every 3-4 weeks. Great buy - had it for over 4 years. Keep the recommended maint up to it and hopefully it'll keep going.

Strengths Comfortable, quiet, cup holder, power, easy start, electric clutch, forward/reverse pedal, easy to use.

Weaknesses No bearings on the front wheels and wish it had a stronger rear hitch.

Overall If you are looking for a top quality John Deere mower the 'L' series mowers are not it. For that you'll need to spend $8000 or more at John Deere for the top of the line rider mowers. But if you've been looking at Wal-Mart or Lowes or mowers like the Sears Craftsman’s, MTD, Yard machines where you're spending $2500 or so on a mower then the L120 could be a good choice. I've owned my L120 for three years. It was one of the earlier models with the 20hp engine. I bought it used for $1500, it had 165 hour on it, and came with a new deck. So if you look around there are good used ones are out there. I've mowed 7 yards for the past three years and have had no problems at all with the mower. I also have the mulch kit and use it from time to time. Three of the yards are large and it is as always done a great job. Some people say the transaxle is noisy, or weak. MINE ISN'T. I can climb any hill, or if I can't it's not because the transaxle isn't working, it because the wheels are spinning. I haul the mower around with a 10ft X 5.5ft trailer. When I need a trailer to pick up limbs or do yard work, I just hook the L120 up to my hauling trailer and it pulls it around with no problems. I keep the maintenance up on it and as a result it has never let me down. I believe some people who have problems with the mower simply aren't maintaining the mower the way they should. You just can't hope on it time after time and not add some grease once in a while.

Strengths John Deere sent me an owner's hat which my son enjoyed. The tractor is fine except for the transmission. I bought the tractor since they are made locally and I wanted to support my neighbors in their business. When I needed help on the transmission I could not progress behind the Customer Service call center.

Weaknesses transmission gone, just as others have described. I get about 10 minutes of slow speed movement then the transmission goes out.

Overall This would be a good lawn tractor if the transmission worked, or John Deere stood behind it. I called and emailed JD customer service. They said the transmission was not a Known Problem for this model and that if I had less than 200 hours they would have made an effort to help. I don't understand, after reading this Forum, how the L120 transmission is not a known problem. I was told to have the dealer fix the transmission and pay the $500. As others have noted, if the repair was a permanent resolution I would consider the expense. Since its likely to happen again its an intelligence test.

Strengths nothing

Weaknesses do not by this tractor they are made by john deere at a Very low end save your money and save for a 7000 dollar john deere like a X500

Overall

Strengths I think for the Price this is an excellent mower. Once I changed the spindles for ones with grease fittings (the dealer paid for) I have had NO problems. I have the bagger attachment and the 17P trailer and I am very pleased with the performance. I have 1/4 acre lawn and as long as the blades are sharp, it cuts clean and consitent. I find the hydo pedals work very well and reduce the time cutting.

Weaknesses No grease fittings in spindles, but was able to replace them for ones that did.

Overall This is a fantastic mower for the price. Some owners are complaining because they are asking more from the mower than what it was designed for. If you want to spend $12000 you can get a mower that will let you abuse it.

Strengths Turning, quiet,m fit and finish

Weaknesses Major design flaw--This series of tractor has an inadequate oil sump for the hydrostatic and after about 20 minutes of doing a moderate hill, it will no longer go up a hill. In fact it will not move with the forward pedal floored. This has been a known issue for at least 5 years and JD just shines it off.

Overall If you have a flat lawn, it will work fine. If you have any hills, go elsewhere

Strengths Quality of Cut. Ease of operation. Tight turning/mowing radius. Simplicity of changing blades, deck belt, oil and filters. Strong welded chasis and tough cast iron front axle. Good availability of parts from JD dealerships. Parts reasonably priced. Reliable starting and runs great.

Weaknesses No grease fittings on deck spindles. Hydro transmission cannot be serviced.

Overall I have owned my L120 for 5 years now and mow about 2.5 acres with it weekly from April thru November. It now has about 250 hours on it and has given me NO problems at all. I perform all of the regular maintenance regularly myself. I have replaced the deck belt once, and replaced a drive idler pulley which cost $5.00 at JD dealership. I only use it for mowing level ground, and have never really abused it. It has suited my purposes with no problems. I had an MTD/White prior to the L120, and it gave me nothing but problems...always repairing or replacing something. I have read a lot of bad reviews about the JD 100 series, but I think they are good, and much better than the competitors such as MTD, Craftsman, Huskie, etc. Of course, they are not as good as the higher end Deeres, but for the typical homeowner who is just mowing grass or pulling a small cart, I have nothing bad to say about them.

Strengths Power, turning radius, looks/style & comfort. This will be our 4th season and thus far I've only had to replace the belts 1 time. I religiously change the oil/oil filter/air filter/fuel filter & grease it every 20 hours. I blow off the deck & wipe everything down after each mowing, wax it once a month and it sits under the JD cover (indoors) when not in use. My JD has 200 hrs of service but I use it strictly for mowing & pulling around the broadcast spreader.

Weaknesses Would have been nice to have a heavier duty deck & you have to be careful about clogging the bagger especially if the grass is wet at all.

Overall My brother-in-law & I each bought a L120 4 years ago (same week-same day-same dealer) his experience has been exactly the opposite! Wore out the deck spindles in 1 year, motor had to be replaced 2nd year, belts at least 3x, hood cracked and all together it just looks like crap! WHY????? We both mow approx 1 acre of flat ground so that's not it. I'll tell you why, becaus he let his kids ride it around like a toy, they never blew it off, they never changed the oil...I think you get the picture! This is a light duty tractor, simple as that....you have to take care of it! When I paid $1850 for it I didn't have any preconceived notions that I could expect the same performance that I get out of our 6030 (that we use around the farm), what I did expect was for it to mow & be reliable...which it's been every bit of that!