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John Deere 120 vs John Deere 312
Verdict: John Deere 120 vs John Deere 312
The John Deere 120 and the John Deere 312 are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 12 hp. John Deere 120 is the lighter machine (333 kg vs 344 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere 312 is the newer design (1977 vs 1970). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.
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Fit & specs
John Deere
71
Fit score
Best match
Clear
John Deere
71
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Rated power
12 hp
12 hp
Confidence
98%
98%
Guide price
—
—
Overview
Manufacturer
John DeereReference
John DeereReference
air-cooled horizontal-shaftReference
air-cooled horizontal-shaftReference
Engine
Fuel tank
6.6 LReference
—
Displacement
29.1 ciReference
29.1 ciReference
Bore/Stroke
86 x 83 mmReference
86 x 83 mmReference
Power (gross)
8.9 kWReference
8.9 kWReference
Air cleaner
dryReference
dryReference
Idle RPM
1200-3800Reference
—
Starter
electricReference
—
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Sparkplug gap
0.635 mmReference
—
Point gap
0.508 mmReference
—
Intake valve clearance
0.254 mmReference
—
Exhaust valve clearance
0.508 mmReference
—
Oil capacity
4.7 LReference
—
Oil change
500 hReference
—
Transmission
1
BrakeReference
ThrottleReference
2
Forward/ReverseReference
Forward/ReverseReference
3
ThrottleReference
BrakeReference
4
Parking brakeReference
Parking brakeReference
Transmission
Sundstrand 15Reference
Sundstrand 15Reference
Gears
infinite forward and reverseReference
infinite forward and reverseReference
Oil type
Deere 303Reference
JD All-Weather Hydrostatic FluidReference
PTO & Hydraulics
Type
shaft-driven hydrostaticReference
shaft-driven hydrostaticReference
Front PTO
independentReference
—
Clutch
electricReference
—
Dimensions
Wheelbase
116 cmReference
116 cmReference
Weight
333 kgReference
344 kgReference
Front tire
16x6.50-8Reference
16x6.50-8Reference
Rear tire
23x8.50-12Reference
23x8.50-12Reference
Lawn/turf front
4.80/4.00-8Reference
16x6.50-8Reference
Lawn/turf rear
23x10.50-12Reference
23x8.50-12Reference
Length
171 cmReference
175 cmReference
Width
96 cmReference
107 cmReference
Height
109 cmReference
111 cmReference
Front tread
79 cmReference
—
Rear tread
73/87 cmReference
—
John Deere 120 attachments
120 Serial Number Location
120 Serial Numbers
1970
1001Reference
—
1971
7500Reference
—
Electrical
Ground
negativeReference
negativeReference
Battery volts
12Reference
12Reference
Battery AH
14Reference
—
Attachment overview
John Deere 312 attachments
312 Serial Number Location
312 Serial Numbers
1977
—
C312F070001Reference
1978
—
C312G080001Reference
Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.