Just wanted to post an update about the JS20s. They both run great, used the second one on Wednesday. My craftsman FWD has the same exact engine as these two and when I change the oil for the first time I will be switching to mobil 1 5w-30. For the JS20s I will also buying the ninja blades. I went back to Lowes on Thursday, they didn't have any mowers left.

The Briggs OHV mower engine was introduced about 10 years ago. It features the same displacement, bore & stroke as the Quantum series engine. The engine is several pounds heavier than the Quantum series.The carburetor is easy to service - but not quite as easy as the Quantum. The throttle plate does not have a stop screw for the idle position as the engine is designed for governed slow speed. The throttle plate wedged in the closed position on the engine I have - even tho the throttle control was set for full speed. This created some hard starts until I discovered what was happening. A boss was provided so I installed my own throttle stop screw. At my 7300 foot altitude, the compression release reduces the starting compression to about 30 - 40 psi. Normally, the engine started ok. Power was very good. The cast iron sleeve is a good feature. The mower deck is similar to the Snapper design. Previously the comments on this board seemed to favor the Toro Super Recyler as the best mulcher mower. The Snapper design was good for bagging (the model in the link you provided is set up for mulching). Rear drive is a good feature. The caster wheel design adds a few more pounds to the overall weight of this mower. Since the mower was returned, is there a warranty? Does John Deere honor the warranty on returned equipment? $300 is probably a good price provided you like the mower. My opinion - Before buying, look at the JS-20 for the following reasons. The engine is the older flat head design and weighs less. This Quantum series engine is equipped with the "ready start" system that (in my opinion) is easier to start than any other brand engine including the OHV Briggs on the JS40 The mower has the regular front wheels - not the caster style. Here is a Gee Whiz point. I don't think any of the other mower manufacturers use the cast iron sleeve Briggs as the aluminum version is cheaper. Most of the Honda mowers use the aluminum bore Honda engine. I believe all Kawasaki engines are equipped with cast iron sleeves.

Thank you so much for the warning, even 10 yrs later it's still advertised steel sleeve. I wondered as I'm looking to buy a new engine to set back for future replacement since new throwaway designs (never change oil) are so terrible. Not sure how briggs durability in the future is but I know their past and getting one while I can. Its for my 1996 Snapper self propelled mower, I saw the 875 JD engine sold alone online. I knew B/S site says the 875 is just aluminum bore & the 850 is sleeved but I thought JD ordered them special maybe? This is not the case as I suspected and how I found these posts. Oh well' now I learned at least a few things on my project. 1} Snapper disc drive self propels outlast 3+ engines easy. My lawncare friends snapper SP deck outlasted (2 Briggs,1 Honda so far). 2} JD really are a bunch of liars. 3} The 850 Pro is the real Briggs Pro engine under Vanguard. To anyone who thinks steel sleeves are not needed in Aluminum engines try telling this to GM...Mention them saving a few bucks producing the Vega , as that is why it's engine failed at 30k on average. Sleeved aluminum engines are in almost every car today, my old Toyota had 420k when I sold it 5 years ago, still see it around town. One truck near me here, Google this: Clyde glides to a million. Thanks again!!

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to post my rant. I bought an L 130 from HD . After the first season, the deck spindles went out, predictable enough, the originals don't come with a grease fitting. So instead of a $.10 zirc fitting from the factory, you WILL need to buy three "new style" spindles (the new ones come with grease fittings). $45 each. After around 200 hours my L130 began having the dreaded growl. Once it gets hot (20-30 minutes) it won't drag itself up a hill. New transmission $650 + install. I understand that when they (JD) built these they used the bottom k46 tranny (as do most mowers under $5000) however they decided to use standard oil (not synthetic) no external cooler (some k46 trannies have an external tank). And to add insult to injury JD won't service the tranny, no oil change, no rebuild, just replace the whole unit. Tufftorq (the manufacturer of the k 46) sells parts, including a rebuild kit, making JD's lack of service unacceptable. At this point the only real JD part of any mower under about $5000 is the cutting deck itself. All the tractors are about the same (MTD builds them all). How much is green paint worth? About $800-1000 more than a comparable model made with the same parts painted a different color. I guess they don't care if I buy another one... My next one WON'T be green.