John Deere vs Troy-Bilt Lawn Mowers: Which One Is Better?
Want to know the clear winner between John Deere and Troy-Bilt lawn mowers? Read our John Deere vs Troy-Bilt lawn mowers article to find out.
In this article, we compare the two lawn mowers, paying attention to metrics such as cutting performance, engine power, cost and warranty.
John Deere Brand Overview
John Deere is the brand name of Deere & Company, an American firm that produces heavy equipment, forestry machinery, agricultural machinery, diesel engines and other lawn care equipment.
The company was founded in 1837 and has its headquarters in Moline, Illinois.
John Deere is well-known for its durability, exceptional mower design and excellent customer service.
With more than fifty years of manufacturing riding lawn mowers, John Deere has sold millions of outdoor equipment and these tools have played an important role in lawn maintenance.
Troy Bilt Brand Overview
Troy-Bilt offers a full line of products such as riding mowers, walk-behind mowers, cultivators, tillers, leaf blowers and edgers. Their headquarters is situated in Valley City, Ohio.
The firm has been manufacturing engine-powered yard equipment since it debuted a residential rototiller in 1937.
They have a great reputation for manufacturing reliable and rugged mowers at an affordable price.
Key Differences Between John Deere vs Troy-Bilt Lawn Mowers
The main difference between them is that John Deere mowers have larger deck sizes (36-62 inches) and generate more power output (14.5HP-37.4HP).
On the other hand, Troy-Bilt mowers have decks that range between 21-54 inches and an engine horsepower that is between 15.5HP to 24HP.
Best John Deere Lawn Mowers
1. John Deere Z530R 24-HP V-Twin Dual Hydrostatic 60-inch Zero-Turn Mower
The John Deere Z530R runs on a 24 HP John Deere Branded Kawasaki V-twin engine for a powerful mowing operation.
The 60-inch triple-blade high-capacity mower deck enhances efficient mowing on medium and large-sized yards.
It comes with LED headlights to provide ultimate vision in dark and low-light conditions.
Other features include rollover protective structure (ROPS), retractable seat belt, 22.5-in cut, and sewn seat with armrest and cup holder.
2. John Deere Z545R 54-inch ZTrak Mower
The John Deere Z545R is powered by a 25HP EFI engine with electronic throttle control for a smooth lawn mowing operation.
It is equipped with a 54-inch mower deck to ensure superb grass-cutting performance on lawns.
The mower has 18 cutting positions that can be adjusted from 1-4 inches to suit your varying needs.
The 22.5-inch high back seat with armrests ensures ultimate comfort while mowing. Its folding rollover protective structure (ROPS) offers operator protection.
The zero-turn mower features dual transmissions and control levers that offer speeds up to 9 mph.
Other features include a toe board mat, rubber floor mats, LED lights and a rear hitch for a top-notch mowing operation.
3. John Deere Z335E ZTrak 42-in Zero-Turn Mower
The gas-powered mower runs on a 20HP John Deere engine that can provide adequate power and torque to tackle tough mowing conditions.
The zero-turn mower is perfect for flat terrain with obstacles.
It features a 42-inch cutting deck to cut tall grass at faster speeds.
The Z335E model has a 15-inch medium back seat for maximum comfort while the fuel tank can be easily located for easy refueling.
It can easily maneuver around shrubs, flower beds, shrubs and level tracks of land.
Other features include color-coded controls, a cup holder and dual hydrostatic hydro-gear transmission for a superb mower performance.
4. John Deere W52R Commercial Walk-Behind Mower
The John Deere W52R runs on an 18.5 HP V-twin engine to provide smooth operation and plenty of power.
The 52-inch floating mower deck ensures efficient mowing on lawns while its convenient controls enhance operator comfort and productivity.
The self-propelled drive system provides infinite mowing speeds while its welded frame ensures superior durability.
There is also an optional mulching attachment to restore nutrients to the soil while an optional grass catcher enhances the easy collection of grass and leaves.
5. John Deere W48R Commercial Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
The John Deere W48R is powered by an 18.5HP V-twin engine to provide smooth operation and plenty of power.
Its 48-inch floating mower deck ensures superb grass-cutting performance on lawns. The easy-to-use controls enhance operator comfort and convenience.
The self-propelled drive system provides infinite mowing speeds while its welded frame ensures superior durability.
Best Troy-Bilt Mowers
1. Troy Bilt Pony 42K Riding Lawn Mower, 13AO77BS066
The Troy Bilt Pony riding mower runs on a 17HP Kohler engine to ensure reliable starts in all weather conditions.
It is equipped with a 42-inch mower deck which enhances a clean and even cut on lawns.
The 15-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels ensure easy and smooth maneuverability while the LED headlights provide better visibility in low-light and dark conditions.
It has 5 cutting positions that can be adjusted from 1.25-3.75 inches to suit your mowing needs. The riding mower has side discharge, mulching and bagging capabilities.
2. Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Riding Mower, CA CARB
The Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Riding Mower is powered by a 500cc Briggs and Stratton engine for reliable starting and enough power to tackle your yard.
It comes with a 42-inch steel deck to ensure clean and even cuts on the lawn.
Its Shift-on-the-go transmission can adjust speed to suit your mowing needs. The mower’s 18-inch turning radius gives you control around obstacles.
The durable and compact AGM batteries ensure better starting performance and extended mower lifespan.
It has 5 cutting positions that can be adjusted from 1.5-4 inches to suit your varying needs.
The riding mower has a maximum forward speed of 5.5 mph and a maximum reverse speed of 2.5 mph.
3. Troy-Bilt TBWC28T Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The self-propelled lawn mower is equipped with an InStep premium rear-wheel-drive system to ensure optimal control on any terrain.
Its 28-inch steel cutting deck enhances efficient mowing on lawns.
It has six cutting positions which range from 1.25 to 3.75 to enable you to cut the grass to an ideal grass height.
The TBWC28T model runs on a 195cc Troy-Bilt engine for an easy starting, extended use and powerful performance on lawns.
It can side discharge, mulch or bag grass clippings via the 3-in-1 option.
4. Troy-Bilt TB230XB XP 163cc B&S 725exi FWD Self-Propelled Mower
The self-propelled lawn mower can maneuver well on rough terrain and hills thanks to the 11-inch high rear wheels.
Its deck wash adapter ensures easy maintenance by simply connecting a standard garden hose to rinse clippings from the underside of the deck.
The Briggs and Stratton engine features a ReadyStart technology for easy starting. The TB230 model comes with a 21-inch steel cutting deck that is built to last.
Its TriAction cutting system ensures a well-manicured lawn while the variable speed front-wheel drive offers faster turns and provides improved control.
5. Troy-Bilt 3-in-1 21 in. Walk-Behind Mower, 11A-A2BM766
The Troy-Bilt 11A-A2BM766 runs on a 140cc Briggs & Stratton ReadyStart engine to provide easy starting.
The TriAction cutting system is designed to ensure clean and even cuts on lawns.
It features a 21-inch cutting deck for effective mowing on small and medium-sized yards.
The walk-behind mower has six cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.25 to 3.75 inches to suit your varying needs.
John Deere vs Troy-Bilt Lawn Mowers
Here is a well-detailed comparison of John Deere vs Troy-Bilt lawn mowers:
Design
John Deere commercial walk-behind mowers such as W52R and W61R models have easy-to-use controls for operator comfort and fabricated floating mower decks to ensure a high-quality cut.
Their zero-turn mowers come with suspension seats with armrests, and cup holders for comfortable mowing operations.
They have dual hydrostatic hydro-gear transmissions with 1-inch axles for power and durability. The rollover protection structure provides operator protection.
Some models like John Deere Z545R and Z530R have LED headlights and retractable seat belts for superb mowing operation.
On the other hand, Troy-Bilt walk-behind mowing machines come with a TriAction cutting system designed to deliver clean and even cuts on lawns.
They also have large wheels to ensure improved maneuverability on lawns.
The engines of some Troy Bilt walk-behind models feature an auto-choke for easy starting.
Their riding mowers have headlights to provide ultimate vision in low-light areas and large tires to ensure better traction.
Troy-Bilt zero-turn mowers come with a 2-way adjustable lap bar that can fit riders of all sizes.
Troy-Bilt models such as Mustang Z54 and Z46 models have features such as a high back seat with armrest, foam-grip steering controls for maximum comfort and a tubular frame to provide stability.
In addition, the anti-scalp deck wheels help to prevent turf damage and deliver even and clean cuts on lawns.
Engine Power
John Deere mowers run on John Deere branded engines and branded Kawasaki V-twin engines.
The horsepower ratings of their walk-behind mowers range from 14.5 HP- 25HP while their zero-turn mowers range from 20- 37.4hp.
Troy-Bilt mowers run on Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Honda and Troy-Bilt OHV engines.
The horsepower ratings of Troy Bilt mowers range from 15.5HP-24HP.
This means that John Deere mowers can generate more power output than Troy-Bilt mowing machines.
Cutting Performance
John Deere’s zero-turn mowers come with a deck size that ranges from 36- 62 inches while Troy-Bilt lawn mowers have cutting decks that range from 21- 54 inches.
John Deere zero-turn mowers can easily maneuver around level tracks of land, trees, shrubs or flower beds.
Several Troy-Bilt mowers come with a TriAction Cutting system that has a rake bumper to raise the grass.
The blade helps to produce a finer mulch and removes clumping from the grass.
Most Troy Bilt walk-behind lawn mowers have 5-6 cutting heights that can be adjusted from 1.25-3.75 inches to enable you to cut the grass to an ideal height.
For their riding mowers, some John Deere mowers have 18 cutting positions while some Troy-Bilt mowers have 8-9 cutting positions.
In terms of blade design, John Deere has three blades while Troy-Bilt comes with two blades.
Both lawn mowers have side discharge, mulching and bagging capabilities.
Fuel Capacity
The fuel tank capacity of John Deere mowers ranges from 2.1 to 11.5 gallons. Several Troy Bilt zero-turn mowers such as Mustang Z46 and Z54 XP zero-turn riders have a fuel tank of 3.5 gallons.
Warranty
John Deere mowers offer a warranty package of 2-4 years while Troy-Bilt mowers have a 3-year warranty.
Ease of Use
John Deere’s zero-turn mowers have easy-to-use control panels for easy mowing operations.
The lap bar panels allow users to adjust the speed settings of the mower while its color-coded controls are for easy identification.
Some Troy-Bilt mowers come with a deck wash to enable you to clean the underside of the deck with ease.
The auto-choke feature eliminates priming and allows for quick and easy starting. The deck level of their mowers is easy to adjust.
In addition, both John Deere and Troy-Bilt riding lawn mowers have an ergonomic seat for comfortable mowing operation.
In terms of ease of maintenance, John Deere mowers are easier to maintain compared to Troy-Bilt mowers.
Cost
John Deere mowers are between $2,999- $ 28,019 while Troy-Bilt mowers cost between $299-$4,399.
This shows that John Deere lawn mowers are pricier than Troy Bilt lawn mowers.
Pros and Cons
John Deere Lawn Mowers
Pros:
- John Deere mowers are reliable and durable.
- They are built with a good tuff-torq transmission.
- John Deere mowers ensure easy and convenient operation.
Cons
- They are a bit pricey.
- Some of their models such as Z345M and Z335E mowers have a small fuel tank.
Troy-Bilt Lawn Mowers
Pros:
- They are durable and sturdy.
- Homeowners can easily have access to their air filter and fuel filter.
- Troy-Bilt mowing machines are budget-friendly.
Cons
- Troy-Bilt riding mowers may have poor steering performance.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Both John Deere and Troy-Bilt brands produce mowing machines that are reliable, durable and sturdy. They both have superb mowers for different yard sizes and mowing needs.
Overall, we recommend John Deere mowers because they have larger cutting decks and more engine horsepower ratings.