2023 John Deere S130. First look at the new S models

Here is walk around and demo of the new John Deere S130 riding mower.

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[Mechanical_Mind]

I'll get a commission on the sale at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to help the channel and get the items you need.

[SlowRiderDucati]

I have an S130 just like this I bought 2 years ago. I have about 50 hours on it and it still runs great. The gas gauge is digital on the center of the dash. It also has cruise control with the electronic pro. I put in LED lights, front flood lights, and rear red lights. I even abuse it on steep hills and haul a trailer with it. I filled the tires with anti freeze to keep from rolling over.

[nightshade]

I have a solo lawn-mowing business with 35 yards that I mow weekly and have converted from commercial-grade Scag to the John Deere E130. This would blow most people away because our mindset is thinking that we have to have commercial grade mowers. However I only do residential Lawns so my properties are not really big. I bought the E130 with the intention to use it as a backup in place of my Scag. However once I started using it I noticed that I was about 5 minutes slower on each property which over the course of the week doesn't add up too much. I now use my Scag as a back up to the E130.
The reason is its lighter-weight so it's not tearing up the yards and I hate to day this but it leaves a much better cut. With the Scag I'm able to change my blades and belts faster but it still doesn't outweigh the benefits of the John Deere. Not only that but when I go to sell the mower I can sell the John Deere a lot faster than the Scag and replace it easier than spending 8-10k to make the guys at the lawnmower shop rich. And also when you take your mower into them to have it serviced usually get it back 3 to 4 weeks later and they decide if it's under warranty or not. A potential customer is only going to pay so much to have their yard mowed anyway. Too bad it's taken me 9 years to figure this out. Thank you for making these videos! You do an excellent job of explaining things without the fluff.

[emojim]

I bought the S140 But converted it to the S130, 160, 170 options. I swapped the gas tank to the tank with the sending unit for the digital fuel gauge. Got the wiring harness from the S130, got the digital fuel/hour gauge and did away with that stupid below the seat fuel level gauge thingy and installed the block off plate. I bought the cover/lid for the compartment on the right side of the seat and finally bought all the stuff needed to add the cruise control. So now I have all the stuff that the S130, S160, S170 and S180 have. 😀 My next thing I'm adding is LED head light bulbs, the S160 and up lumbar seat and the optional DC 12 volt outlet that installs below the steering wheel center.

[bentransom]

It does have a gas gauge on center screen.

[mowingman]

To me these look more beafy than the e model tractors I see em all the time when I go to lowes or home depot... I have an e120 tractor its been a great mower! Going on 2nd season STILL not had to change battery! 😁👍😉😉

[blackie]

Exposed wires hanging beneath the mower (at 2.20) look like a potential problem. Couldn't they jag on a stick or other debris get ripped loose?

[aviatortrucker]

Yes, I too am a little leery about that quick change oil system. I don’t know how much oil you leave in the crank case, but change in the oil involves changing most of it not some of it. Lowes told me that quick change oil filter is about $60.

[carbo]

Hello. I had a LA model with a 48inch deck and it ran great until it blew the deck out. Total rust out after 18 years. Only mower available was the s130. Covid time. So far it still runs. Changed the filter to a standard filter after I spotted shimmer in the oil drained from the block that remains in the crankcase with the quick change . Will drain and refilter at 60 hrs. Total 55 hours now. Thank you for your review.

[lexmak]

I’m looking between this s130 and the s240. Any input? I don’t have probably but .5 acre

[joeysmith]

@Mechanical Mind 2 questions, can you add 2 additional anti-scalping wheels on the back corners of the deck (where the brackets/bolt holes are)? Also, I'm burning/scorching my grass if I sit still for a second (sodded yard, I turn around on my driveway and get back on the grass before I engage the blades because it's not quite level from the drive to the grass. I don't see sit still long but I've noticed I scorch the grass, I'm assuming from the exhaust. The exhaust outlet points to the side so I'm guessing it's the heat off the muffler itself, are there aftermarket heat shields? I'm not sure what else to do.

[davidgreen]

How do you start it the parking brake button on mine won't go down and the clutch brake is stuck can you help me

[lonniecurtis]

hi sir yes there is a gas Guage it's on the hour meter soon as turn the key on the gas Guage will show how much gas has, y seat is comun apart on the back I've wrote john deere about, gonna try gluing it ok good video sir.

[AntonioLopez-bcqg]

Does it come from the factory with the side discharge?

[LBLACK]

Have an S130 that's 3 years old. Looks new and babied. Go out to cut my yard today and the fuel/hour gauge is not working. Was fine last week. Figures.🙄

[ciphercode]

Really surprised to see an electric pto at that price point. I've an old cub cadet ltx1040 that's been reliable, but I dont like the hand lever pto and I'm tired of shifting from forward to reverse. I'd like to save up and buy an x330 next year, but something like this may suffice. I only mow a handful of yards as a side hustle.

[tlm]

Isnt that a gas guage on the dash. Big improvement over old guage.

[jp-usrq]

People are putting briggs motors down im 50 years old and on my second briggs.i sold my old tractor just to get another one lol never any issues always use ethnol fuel.i change the oil yearly and plugs and fuel filter lot of the other motoors its hard to get parts for like kawasak.and if u do very expensive. And kohler same rhing expensive.briggs is just as good as any other motor i was a landscaper for over 20 years i experience most engins and seems briggs was the best of all and we actually had a sodcutter that was 50 years old its older now but it started first pull and rarely changed the oil or took care of it

[rusty]

your gas gage is on the digital read out .

[robertoc]

Just bought a S130 and have 3 hours on it. Have noticed since the first cut a streak being left behind on some passes which i can't figure out why. Streak looks like a mohawk on a pass. I've tried researching this and all signs point to the deck / pulley / blade issue. My question is is it common for a new mower to have this type of issue? My yard is not perfectly flat but I've noticed the streak on flatter areas as well. Anyone know what the atory is?? Thx