Here's some useful information I've collected and compiled over the past few years on the 12 and 14 series "silver deck" John Deere walk-behind mowers. (I welcome and corrections/additions to the list)
John Deere 12 & 14 Series Walk-Behind Mowers
Decoding the Model Numbers:
1 = 21” mower
2 = 2-cycle engine
4 = 4-cycle engine
S = self-propelled
P = push
Z = zone start
B = BBC (blade brake clutch)
E = electric start w/ BBC
T = Tricycler (mulching)
C = commercial
X = commercial w/ BBC
So a model 14SB indicates 21", 4-cycle engine, self-propelled, and a blade brake clutch; 14PZ indicates 21", 4-cycle engine, push, and zone start; etc., etc.
The 14 series mower models were made with two different 4-cycle engines: the Briggs & Stratton Quantum (on the less expensive models), and the Kawasaki FC150V on the more expensive models. The first Kawasaki FC150V engines introduced had 4.5 hp and later this was upgraded to 5.0 hp and still later to 5.5 hp. I read that the engine displacement was the same on the 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5 hp engines, but the changes in horsepower ratings were due primarily to differences in the main jet of the carburetor and the ignition setup.
On the self-propelled models, there are two transmission types: 2-speed and 5-speed. Both are made by Tuff Torq (Kanzaki). The Briggs engine models used the 2-speed and the Kawasaki engines used the 5-speed.
BBC (blade brake control) was available on Kawasaki engine models (like the 14PB and SB) as well as the model 12PB and 12SB with the Briggs 2-cycle engine. The zone start Briggs engine models (14PZ, 14SZ) used a flywheel brake for blade control and this brake would stop the engine when the bar on the handle was released.
The Tricycler was a unit set up from the factory for mulching. It came with a mulching plug and a grass bag. A Tricycler Conversion Kit was also available as an accessory. Mulching Kit (BM17484) included a mulching plug (M112582), mulching blade (M125413), and rear cover safety decal (M112911). Conversion Kit (BM17497) included these items plus a Tricycler label (M113068) and the side discharge chute (M76488).
The commercial models (12PC, 14SC and 14SX) had steel wheels for durability.
12PB:
1990-1991
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
Push
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
12PC:
19??-19??
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
(Commercial model)
Push
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
12SB:
1989-1992
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
14PB:
1989-1993
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Push
Recoil start
Blade Brake Control
Flywheel magneto ignition
14PT:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Push
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14PZ:
1991-1997
Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine (122700 series)
Push
Recoil (zone start)
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
14SB:
1989-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
Pressurized lubrication
14SBs:
1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
Splash lubrication
14SC:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
(Commercial model)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SE:
1989-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Electric (key start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14ST:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (2-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SX:
1995-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
(Commercial model)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SZ:
1991-1997
Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine (122700 or 124700 series)
Self-propelled (2-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
John Deere 12 & 14 Series Walk-Behind Mowers
Decoding the Model Numbers:
1 = 21” mower
2 = 2-cycle engine
4 = 4-cycle engine
S = self-propelled
P = push
Z = zone start
B = BBC (blade brake clutch)
E = electric start w/ BBC
T = Tricycler (mulching)
C = commercial
X = commercial w/ BBC
So a model 14SB indicates 21", 4-cycle engine, self-propelled, and a blade brake clutch; 14PZ indicates 21", 4-cycle engine, push, and zone start; etc., etc.
The 14 series mower models were made with two different 4-cycle engines: the Briggs & Stratton Quantum (on the less expensive models), and the Kawasaki FC150V on the more expensive models. The first Kawasaki FC150V engines introduced had 4.5 hp and later this was upgraded to 5.0 hp and still later to 5.5 hp. I read that the engine displacement was the same on the 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5 hp engines, but the changes in horsepower ratings were due primarily to differences in the main jet of the carburetor and the ignition setup.
On the self-propelled models, there are two transmission types: 2-speed and 5-speed. Both are made by Tuff Torq (Kanzaki). The Briggs engine models used the 2-speed and the Kawasaki engines used the 5-speed.
BBC (blade brake control) was available on Kawasaki engine models (like the 14PB and SB) as well as the model 12PB and 12SB with the Briggs 2-cycle engine. The zone start Briggs engine models (14PZ, 14SZ) used a flywheel brake for blade control and this brake would stop the engine when the bar on the handle was released.
The Tricycler was a unit set up from the factory for mulching. It came with a mulching plug and a grass bag. A Tricycler Conversion Kit was also available as an accessory. Mulching Kit (BM17484) included a mulching plug (M112582), mulching blade (M125413), and rear cover safety decal (M112911). Conversion Kit (BM17497) included these items plus a Tricycler label (M113068) and the side discharge chute (M76488).
The commercial models (12PC, 14SC and 14SX) had steel wheels for durability.
12PB:
1990-1991
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
Push
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
12PC:
19??-19??
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
(Commercial model)
Push
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
12SB:
1989-1992
Briggs & Stratton 2-cycle engine (96722 I/C)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
14PB:
1989-1993
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Push
Recoil start
Blade Brake Control
Flywheel magneto ignition
14PT:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Push
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14PZ:
1991-1997
Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine (122700 series)
Push
Recoil (zone start)
Briggs Magnetron Ignition
14SB:
1989-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
Pressurized lubrication
14SBs:
1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil start
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
Splash lubrication
14SC:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
(Commercial model)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SE:
1989-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Electric (key start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14ST:
1993-1994
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
Self-propelled (2-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SX:
1995-1997
Kawasaki FC150V 4-cycle engine
(Commercial model)
Self-propelled (5-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Blade brake control
Flywheel magneto ignition
14SZ:
1991-1997
Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine (122700 or 124700 series)
Self-propelled (2-speed)
Recoil (zone start)
Briggs Magnetron Ignition