Compare/John Deere 856 vs John Deere S160

John Deere 856 vs John Deere S160

Verdict: John Deere 856 vs John Deere S160

The John Deere 856 and the John Deere S160 are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 24 hp. John Deere S160 is the lighter machine (217 kg vs 816 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere S160 is the newer design (2021 vs 1986). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

24 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

liquid-cooledReference

air-cooled vertical-shaft V-TwinReference

Final drives

planetaryReference

—

Variants

855

utility tractorReference

—

856

turf mowing tractorReference

—

Engine

Displacement

60.7 ciReference

44.2 ciReference

Power (gross)

17.9 kWReference

—

Fuel system

indirect injectionReference

—

Air cleaner

dryReference

Rated RPM

3200Reference

—

Operating RPM

1450-3425Reference

—

Starter

electricReference

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

17.0 LReference

1.9 LReference

Coolant capacity

3.8 LReference

—

Fuel tank

—

9.1 LReference

Bore/Stroke

—

79 x 73 mmReference

Power

—

17.9 kWReference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.762 mmReference

Oil change

—

sealed unit, owner service is not recommendedReference

Transmission

Gears

infinite forward and reverse (2-range)Reference

—

Transmission

—

Tuff Torq TL200Reference

Capacities

Fuel

16.4 LReference

—

Tow capacity

—

217 kgReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Hydraulic system

17.0 LReference

—

Type

shaft-driven hydrostaticReference

belt-driven hydrostaticReference

Capacity

17.0 LReference

—

Pressure

141.3 barReference

—

Pump flow

21.2 lpmReference

—

Rear Type

IReference

—

Rear lift (at ends)

764 kgReference

—

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

381 kgReference

—

Rear PTO

independentReference

—

Clutch

hydraulic discReference

electricReference

Rear PTO Type

540 (1.375)Reference

—

Mid PTO

independentReference

Mid PTO Type

2100Reference

—

Dimensions

Wheelbase

220 cmReference

—

Weight

816 kgReference

217 kgReference

Front tire

23x8.50-12Reference

15x6.00-6Reference

Rear tire

33x12.50-15Reference

20x10.00-8Reference

Lawn/turf front

23x8.50-12Reference

15x6.00-6Reference

Lawn/turf rear

33x12.50-15Reference

20x10.00-8Reference

Length

280 cmReference

191 cmReference

Height (hood)

132 cmReference

—

Height (ROPS)

192 cmReference

—

2WD Clearance (front axle)

32 cmReference

—

Front tread

93 cmReference

—

Rear tread

86 to 101 cmReference

—

Height

—

118 cmReference

856 Serial Numbers

Location:

Serial number plate on the rear of the tractor, below the PTO shaft.Reference

Serial number decal above the left rear tire, below the fender deck.Reference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

35Reference

14Reference

Battery CCA

491Reference

—

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery Group

—

U1Reference

John Deere S160 attachments

S160 Serial Numbers

Attachment overview

48" Mower deck

Cutting width

—

121 cmReference

Overall width

—

154 cmReference

Cut height

—

2 to 10 cmReference

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.