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John Deere 212 vs John Deere 312
Verdict: John Deere 212 vs John Deere 312
The John Deere 212 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 212 is the lighter machine (312 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 1975). 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
Four-speed gear transmission with mechanical variable drive.Reference
air-cooled horizontal-shaftReference
Engine
Fuel tank
13.2 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
1700-3500Reference
—
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Oil capacity
1.7 LReference
—
Oil change
25 hReference
—
Transmission
1
—
ThrottleReference
2
—
Forward/ReverseReference
3
—
BrakeReference
4
—
Parking brakeReference
Transmission
Peerless 2300Reference
Sundstrand 15Reference
Gears
4 forward and 1 reverseReference
infinite forward and reverseReference
Oil type
SAE90Reference
JD All-Weather Hydrostatic FluidReference
PTO & Hydraulics
Type
belt-driven variatorReference
shaft-driven hydrostaticReference
Mid PTO
independentReference
—
Clutch
manualReference
—
Dimensions
Wheelbase
116 cmReference
116 cmReference
Weight
312 kgReference
344 kgReference
Front tire
16x6.50-8Reference
16x6.50-8Reference
Rear tire
23x10.50-12Reference
23x8.50-12Reference
Lawn/turf front
16x6.50-8Reference
16x6.50-8Reference
Lawn/turf rear
23x10.50-12Reference
23x8.50-12Reference
Length
171 cmReference
175 cmReference
Width
105 cmReference
107 cmReference
Height
106 cmReference
111 cmReference
John Deere 212 attachments
212 Serial Number Location
212 Serial Numbers
1975
30001Reference
—
1976
55001Reference
—
1977
70001Reference
C312F070001Reference
1978
80001Reference
C312G080001Reference
1979
95001Reference
—
1980
120001Reference
—
1981
155001Reference
—
1982
190001Reference
—
1983
222001Reference
—
1984
285001Reference
—
1985
315001Reference
—
1986
360001Reference
—
1987
420001Reference
—
Electrical
Ground
negativeReference
negativeReference
Charging system
alternatorReference
—
Charging amps
15Reference
—
Battery volts
12Reference
12Reference
Attachment overview
John Deere 312 attachments
312 Serial Number Location
312 Serial Numbers
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.