Compare/John Deere GX85 vs John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck

John Deere GX85 vs John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck

Verdict: John Deere GX85 vs John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck

The John Deere GX85 and the John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 13 hp. John Deere GX85 is the lighter machine (155 kg vs 196 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere GX85 is the newer design (1997 vs 1989). 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

13 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

Image courtesy of Derek WoodwardReference

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

Original price

$2,049 (2003 )Reference

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Steering

manualReference

manual sector-and-pinionReference

Variants

GX85

gear driveReference

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SX85

variator driveReference

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STX38 Yellow-deck

—

1988-1993Reference

STX38 Black-deck

—

1994-1997Reference

Engine

Fuel tank

4.7 LReference

Displacement

28.4 ciReference

24.3 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

87 x 78 mmReference

87 x 67 mmReference

Power (gross)

9.7 kWReference

—

Air cleaner

dry elementReference

paper and foamReference

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

1.6 LReference

1.9 LReference

Power

—

9.3 kWReference

Compression

—

8.9:1Reference

Idle RPM

—

1350-3350Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion RC12YCReference

Sparkplug gap

—

1.016 mmReference

Oil change

—

sealed unit, owner service is not recommendedReference

Transmission

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

Transmission

—

Peerless 920Reference

PTO & Hydraulics

Mid PTO

independentReference

—

Clutch

mechanicalReference

—

Rear PTO

—

electricReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

106 cmReference

113 cmReference

Weight

155 kgReference

196 kgReference

Front tire

11x4.00-5Reference

13x6.5-6Reference

Rear tire

16x6.50-8Reference

18x8.5-8Reference

Lawn/turf front

11x4.00-5Reference

13x6.5-6Reference

Lawn/turf rear

16x6.50-8Reference

18x8.5-8Reference

Length

154 cmReference

152 cmReference

Width

66 cmReference

132 cmReference

Height

99 cmReference

98 cmReference

John Deere GX85 attachments

GX85 Serial Numbers

1997

085001Reference

290001 (Motorsport)Reference

1998

095001Reference

—

1999

110001Reference

—

2000

120001Reference

—

2001

130001Reference

—

2002

140001Reference

—

2003

145001Reference

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Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

flywheel alternatorReference

Battery CCA

160Reference

200Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Charging amps

—

15Reference

30" Mower deck

Type

gearReference

belt-driven gearReference

Cutting width

76 cmReference

96 cmReference

Overall width

106 cmReference

—

Cut height

2 to 10 cmReference

John Deere STX38 attachments

STX38 Serial Number Location

STX38 Serial Numbers

1989

—

595001 (yellow deck)Reference

1990

—

010001 (yellow deck)Reference

1991

—

100001 (yellow deck)Reference

1992

—

135001 (yellow deck)Reference

1993

—

160001 (yellow deck)Reference

1994

—

210001 (black deck)Reference

1995

—

240001 (black deck)Reference

1996

—

270001 (Motorsport)Reference

Attachment overview

38" Mower deck

Cut positions

—

7Reference

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.