John Deere 111

rusty6 · May 31, 2018

Old reliable John Deere still getting the job done in my yard. I don't know but would guess it dates to the late 1980s. My dad bought it used in the early 90s and it just keeps on going. Got some video of its first start of the year today. That is right. I didn't cut any grass in my yard until May 31!
John Deere 111

Goose · Jun 1, 2018

We had one identical to that once, that my mother-in-law bought new in 1981. We wore out the original engine, and I replaced it with a new 12 hp unit. Along the way, a rear axle broke and I bought a good used transaxle on ebay for $35. Five years ago, I sold a rental property to a neighbor and the 111 went with it. Shortly thereafter, a renter ran it out of oil and destroyed the engine.

The neighbor took it to a consignment auction and got a few bucks for it. All in all, a rather bullet proof machine.

Blackhole49 · Jun 1, 2018

Nice old tractor. You should get you're self a battery pack (I love my JNC). It sure beats waiting on a charger.

rusty6 · Jun 1, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:01:37 06/01/18) We had one identical to that Along the way, a rear axle broke and I bought a good used transaxle on ebay for $35. All in all, a rather bullet proof machine.

I had transaxle problems on this one too and bought the axles, bearings, plus whatever else it needed from JD. It was a lot more than $35 though. Filled the transaxle with JD corn head grease and is has done a lot of cutting since that repair. A few belts, blades, deck bearings, a muffler, front axle pivot needed welding when it broke. Not bad for probably 25 years of yard cutting.

Catskill Pete · Jun 1, 2018

More like the 1970's. It has the underhood gas tank. The later one's had a rear mounted gas tank,like my 1979. Mine is still going strong and in regular use. That was built back when JD still built their own, and was still concerned about quality. Simple and strong!

Jimmydog · Jun 1, 2018

Yeah, I liked mine so much I bought another one. Notice one has the under-hood tank like Rusty6's and the other has the tank in the rear like Catskill mentions.

rusty6 · Jun 1, 2018

I wouldn't have thought it dated into the 70s so I had to check on tractor data. Not saying they are absolutely accurate but they indicate the 111 was built from 1979 to 1985. I'll have to check my serial number.
JD on tractordata

Duner Wi · Jun 3, 2018

This gives some info on serial # by year.
http://blog.machinefinder.com/26612/the-history-of-john-deeres-riding-mower-1960s-to-present

I have 2 111s on different properties. They will serve you well for a very long time.
I have doctored both of mine so spindles have grease zerks, drilled hole in drag link and tie rods so I can grease with chain saw bar grease gun, added a jerk to final drive bull gear so I can add a little grease to it once a year.

John Deere 111

rusty6

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Goose

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Blackhole49

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rusty6

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Catskill Pete

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Jimmydog

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rusty6

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Duner Wi

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