Compare/John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck vs John Deere SX85

John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck vs John Deere SX85

Verdict: John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck vs John Deere SX85

The John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck and the John Deere SX85 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 SX85 is the lighter machine (165 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 SX85 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

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

Steering

manual sector-and-pinionReference

manualReference

Original price

—

$2,299 (2003 )Reference

Variants

STX38 Yellow-deck

1988-1993Reference

—

STX38 Black-deck

1994-1997Reference

—

GX85

—

gear driveReference

SX85

—

variator driveReference

Engine

Fuel tank

4.7 LReference

Displacement

24.3 ciReference

28.4 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

87 x 67 mmReference

87 x 78 mmReference

Power

9.3 kWReference

—

Air cleaner

paper and foamReference

dry elementReference

Compression

8.9:1Reference

—

Idle RPM

1350-3350Reference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Sparkplug

Champion RC12YCReference

—

Sparkplug gap

1.016 mmReference

—

Oil capacity

1.9 LReference

1.6 LReference

Oil change

sealed unit, owner service is not recommendedReference

—

Power (gross)

—

9.7 kWReference

Starter

—

electricReference

Transmission

Peerless 920Reference

—

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverseReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Rear PTO

electricReference

—

Mid PTO

—

independentReference

Clutch

—

mechanicalReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

113 cmReference

106 cmReference

Weight

196 kgReference

165 kgReference

Front tire

13x6.5-6Reference

11x4.00-5Reference

Rear tire

18x8.5-8Reference

16x6.50-8Reference

Lawn/turf front

13x6.5-6Reference

11x4.00-5Reference

Lawn/turf rear

18x8.5-8Reference

16x6.50-8Reference

Length

152 cmReference

154 cmReference

Width

132 cmReference

66 cmReference

Height

98 cmReference

99 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

—

1997

290001 (Motorsport)Reference

085001Reference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

flywheel alternatorReference

alternatorReference

Charging amps

15Reference

—

Battery CCA

200Reference

160Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Attachment overview

38" Mower deck

Type

belt-driven gearReference

mechanical variable transmissionReference

Cutting width

96 cmReference

76 cmReference

Cut height

2 to 10 cmReference

Cut positions

7Reference

—

John Deere SX85 attachments

SX85 Serial Numbers

1998

—

095001Reference

1999

—

105001Reference

2000

—

110001Reference

2001

—

115001Reference

2002

—

120001Reference

2003

—

125001Reference

30" Mower deck

Overall width

—

106 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.