Tractors may be expensive but are designed to be used for a really long time or at least supposed to. This is because not many tractors live up to this billing. Many develop so many issues after a couple of years that it becomes uneconomical to keep using them. This is why many people prefer to go for popular tractor brands with a huge reputation like John Deere.

John Deere brands like the 111 tractor may be old but they are still giving. This tractor is a member of the 100 lawn series and was manufactured between 1979 and 1985 in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA. But what’s so special about this tractor? How is it still relevant to this day?

John Deere 111 is an affordable lawn mower and within the reach of many people. Aside from its affordability, it uses a gasoline-powered engine made by Briggs and Stratton. The tractor is compact and small which is typical of most lawn tractors since they do not have to do too much work.

If you have a small lawn or garden and you are looking for a tractor that can keep that lawn together, you may just be onto something here with the 111 lawn tractor. Follow through this exposé to see everything about John Deere 111.

John Deere 111 Specifications

Features of John Deere 111 Tractor

What features do you expect your lawn tractor to have? Features that will make your work easier and enjoyable are in high demand but does the 111 tractor have them? We’ll find out soon.

Physical Specifications

The tractor was made for lawns and small gardens and so it is no surprise that it is small and compact in size weighing just 201 kg. It sports an open cabin area which puts the operator at risk of injury if the tractor turns over. This is however minimized by the wheelbase distance of 44.5 inches and height of 39.4 inches.

The overall length of the tractor is 61.8 inches. The weight of the 111 tractor is further helped by its small fuel tank.

Engine

The engine is an integral part of any tractor and a lawn tractor like the 111 is no different. The engine used here is made by Briggs and Stratton, a popular brand known for having some of the most durable tractor engines out there.

John Deere 111 uses a gasoline Briggs and Stratton 252707, four-stroke, air-cooled engine. It is a single-cylinder engine producing just 11 HP for your small garden needs. The fuel capacity is only 9.5 L which will mean you will have to stop the engine to refuel if you want to use it for more than a few hours. The battery is the typical 12 V battery found in the majority of tractor engines.

The type of oil recommended to be used for this engine is SAE 5W-20, 30 and the oil capacity is 1.4 L which is nothing out of the ordinary. The displacement of this engine is 0.4 L while its bore and stroke are 3.43 in × 2.64 in. The electric starter fitted in the engine ensures the easier running of the engine.

Transmission and Chassis

The chassis carrying the major parts of the tractor is a 4×2 two-wheel drive. This type of chassis is associated with better handling and movement which is paramount for lawn tractors since they would typically be working in a small area with lots of obstacles to maneuver.

Transmission on the other hand is in charge of getting the power to the tires and controlling it. The transmission model used here is a Peerless 801 model, with a belt-driven gear type. John Deere 111 is not a really fast tractor with the maximum attainable forward speed set at 7.9 km/h and reverse speed set at 2.6 km/h.

There are 5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear to control the speed. You do not need to put off the tractor when switching between the forward gears but it is needed when switching between forward and reverse gears and vice versa.

It uses manual steering with disc brakes and an oil capacity of 1.1 L.

Tires

Small tractors will typically use small tires as the weight the tires will carry will be minimal. The tractor’s tires fitted to the 111 tractor have a front tire rating of 16×6.00-6 and a rear tire rating of 18×8.50-8. As you can see rear tires are usually larger than front tires in tractors.

Pros and Cons of John Deere 111

This section puts the features of the 111 tractor in clearer terms you can understand. This way you see clearly how it affects you and your work with it.

Pros

• Compact: depending on where you look at it from, the compact size of this tractor can be a huge advantage for you. Its size can make it easier for you to handle and even store when not in use
• Fuel efficiency: its size plays a huge role in its fuel efficiency as it uses minimal fuel when in use
• Durable build: this tractor was built to last for a long time with durable materials all round

Cons

• Small fuel tank: the fuel tank is quite small which will mean you have to keep putting off the engine to refuel
• Cannot handle a lot of work: from its size to its horsepower, everything points to limited capacity so bear this in mind before putting it to work

Price

Price is an important factor to consider before making purchases, especially purchases that require significant investment. The tractor sold for $2,100 in 1985. The used tractor today in good condition goes for around $1,200.

Conclusion

Some of these older tractors like the 111 have better build than new generation tractors with durable materials used. This is an affordable piece from John Deere for your small lawn and garden activities.