[AJD] Re:Chris' John Deere 111

greg at theoldtractorcompany.com greg at theoldtractorcompany.com
Sat Nov 26 18:36:39 PST 2005


Chris
I also have lots of memories of the 111. From a dealer's point of view, it was really the first 
real small bagger capable mowing tractor to come out. We could NOT keep them in stock, felt 
like we sold millions of them. 

You mention it's an early one. I take this to mean that the fuel tank is under the hood and not 
under the seat like later ones? Deere quickly figured out that having a fuel tank up above a 
hot engine wasn't the best design feature and the fuel tank was moved under the seat, where it 
remained on all subsequent tractors.

11 hp B&S motor, mostly bulletproof if serviced regularly, manual trans was pretty reliable 
too. With age we did see wear in the main shaft that took power into the trans, it was even 
possible that the case would wear from the shaft and then we had to basically replace most of 
the transaxle. A few keys or gears would shear from time to time also. The mower was a steady 
performer except the main pulley shaft required fairly regular bearing replacement as did a lot 
of the idlers. We noticed that when one idler went the others would soon follow. 

The first units had the big one bag bagger, later ones had the better two bag bagger system.
Also a hydrostat option was added later in production and was dubbed the 111H. More power is 
always better so the big brother 116 was offered. A twin cylinder engine and more power but 
basically the same otherwise. Also a hydrostat was available on the 116. 

Deere next offered the one year wonder, the 112L (so as not to confuse with the venerable 112)
This was the intial offering of the Kawasaki engine in a lawn tractor from Deere. It was an 
instant hit and Deere quickly announced the 160/170/180. And talk about selling, the new 
Kawasaki powered lawn tractors were unbelievable performers and sold like wildfire. I think we 
only had two engine failures in all the years they were out and both were operator neglect. 
Great tractors and solid mowers too.

The first lawn tractors I sold were 111's (my first customer's name was Brad Doors and I 
actually ran into him last year,we swapped stories and enjoyed talking about his old lawn 
tractor)but I heeded the siren call of the Rust God after the 180's and left sales, at least so 
far as new lawn equipment went and went to the parts side once and for all.

I think a 111 in good condition is an excellent choice for an all around mower. I suppose you 
could spend some time collecting all the variations in that family too.

If you need any info, I know for certain I've kept all the sales books on these series so let 
me know.

Enjoy, it should serve you well

Greg





Greg Stephen
The Old Tractor Company
Stephen Equipment Company
PO Box 709
Franktown, CO 80116
303-663-5246
303-468-0377 FAX<<--GREAT WAY TO REACH ME!

On Fri Nov 25 23:17 , Chris C <jdnutinwa at yahoo.com> sent:

>LOL I accidentally sent this to Dean instead of the
>entire list...Sorry for the duplicate Dean...
>
>Howdy all,
>
>     I picked up a 111 Lawn mower with a bagger off of
>Craigs list.  The main reason I wanted it is simply
>becasue my grandpa used to have one and I have a
>picture of me mowing with it when I was much younger. 
> This one is much earlier than the one he had,  but it
>seems to run well,  looks pretty good (original) and
>has a bagger with it.   I don't know much about the
>111's,  were they a late 70's into the early 80's
>vintage?  It also came with a parts manual and
>original sales literature,  that also show the model
>68 (I have one of these too)  so it was nice to come
>across the info on the other mower I have.
>
>
>                    Chris
>     
>
>
>	
>		
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