John Deere 120

1970–197112 HPgasolinelawn
B
Average
Score: 58.8/100
Recalls
6
Found
Known Issues
100
23 high severity
Auction Records
68
Avg €84,103
Reliability
B
59/100

Specifications

Engine Power12 HP
Engine (kW)9 kW
Fuel Typegasoline
Transmissionshaft-driven hydrostatic
Categorylawn
Production Years1970–1971

Safety Recalls

6 found
Safety recall — John Deere JD-6120M (Japanese market, reference 1231050)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the cooling system. Declared production year: 2020.

Cooling systemJP
Safety recall — John Deere JD-6120M (Japanese market, reference 1231060)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the lubrication system. Declared production year: 2020.

Lubrication systemJP
John Deere Recalls Compact Utility Loaders Due To Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)

This recall involves John Deere model 120R loaders that attach to 2025R tractors. The recalled loaders are mostly green with yellow accents. The model number 120R is located on both sides of the loader. The serial number is located on the inside of the left boom arm of the loader. A list of serial numbers included in this recall is available at www.JohnDeere.com/120R-Loader-OM-Recall

US
John Deere Recalls Compact Utility Loaders Due To Injury Hazard (Recall Alert)

This recall involves John Deere model 120R loaders that attach to 2025R tractors. The recalled loaders are mostly green with yellow accents. The model number 120R is located on both sides of the loader. The serial number is located on the inside of the left boom arm of the loader. A list of serial numbers included in this recall is available at www.JohnDeere.com/120R-Loader-OM-Recall

US
Safety recall — John Deere LX120-5 (Japanese market, reference 1214860)

Japanese manufacturer safety recall affecting the lighting. Declared production window: 1998–2001.

LightingJP
+1 more recalls
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Known Issues

100 reported
23 high32 low45 medium
CA: John Deere Review by Ray from Advance, NC (2/5 stars) My L120 mower h
high

My L120 mower has been a constant drawing on my wallet due to bad design and manufacturing. My mower deck had spindles that could not be greased and therefore they seized up. This could have injured the rider. The repair for this was 2 weeks and a few hundred. Then, the rear wheel had the weld around the center hub fail. Another two weeks and a couple hundred. They have taken a good brand and tota

pto
CA: John Deere Review by Butch from Wrens, GA (2/5 stars) Bought my L120
high

Bought my L120 new at Home Depot around maybe 2005. First one I bought had a Kohler engine and it smoked like a freight train so they gave me another with a V Twin engine Briggs. Everything was good till 2011. Then the PTO got hot and stopped working. I bought another new one and put it on and a belt. Just last month that PTO got hot and noticed the smell of oil. So I pulled it around to the back

engine
Drive belt failure
high

S120 mower within warranty; belt wearing through protective cover creating safety hazard. Removed deck for cleaning; customer service claimed removal voided warranty.

structural
CA: John Deere Review by Susan from Coldwater, MI (1/5 stars) My D120 Joh
high

My D120 John Deere lawnmower is just over 3 years old (bought Mar 2012). It is stored in a shed, so it's protected when not in use. My aunt was graciously mowing my grass on 6/19/15, when she ran out of gas. She turned off the mower, leaving in the backyard, while she went to buy gas. When she returned 15 minutes later, the fire dept. was already on site; witnesses said the mower burst into flames

fuel_system
CA: John Deere Review by Steve from Imperial, MO I purchased an L120 ridi
high

I purchased an L120 riding mower in 2003. What a piece of junk! Lets start with the electrical system, first the dealer replaced the PTO wiring, then the reverse safety switch. When that didn't work, they then replaced the entire wiring harness! Ever since then, the tractor will not recharge the battery. Then the deck. I have replaced every spindle because the original spindles froze up. Then the

engine
+95 more issues
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Market Value

Average
€84,103
Median
€85,255
Range:€2,687 €165,140
Avg Hours:2,887 hrs
Records:68 sales
Recent Sales
2019 · Ritchie Bros€165,140
1,601 hours
2023 · mascus-marketplace€76,136
2,740 hours
+66 more sales
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Hours Benchmark

Class: Compact (040 HP)
Average hours at sale for this model
0Avg: 2,887 hrs6,000
Low use150 /year
Typical300 /year
High use500 /year
Typical lifetime6,000 hours
Expected life15 years

Have a specific John Deere 120 VIN to check?

Model data shows the average — a VIN/PIN lookup pulls the per-unit history (theft, recalls, prior owners, hours).

Found on the chassis plate or registration papers

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