This 111 is original and in good condition. Is it "just another lawn mower", or is it one of the sought after models?

It probably wouldn't be considered as collectable as a 60, 70, or 100 yet, but as a user, it is probably better. While not as heavily built (frame/trans.)as it's earlier kin, it accepts engine upgrades with little fuss. If the deck is in good condition, it is a great mower for 3/4 acre or less.

A nice original one that could be stored away for a few years ? Only time will tell.

I should add that collecting, for me, is getting something that I like or like to use, and can afford. I probably have a soft spot for the orphans that others don't seem to want, too. Some might have value for my kids someday.

tommyhawk

I can spreak to the 111's as I think we must have sold 100 or 200 of them. At least it seemed that way.
When they first came out they seemed to be exactly what everyone had been looking for and we sold out of them time and time again. Early ones, for some reason known only to Deere, had the fuel tanks under the hood on top of the engine. NOT a great location. This became painfully clear when the first tractors that required short blocks were found to have a slight, shall we say, interference problem between the end of the crankshaft and the fuel tank! The cure for this was for the dealers to hacksaw the end of the crankshaft off!

Shortly thereafter, Deere redesigned the tractor and moved the fuel tank under the seat where it stayed from then on. This makes it easy to date a 111 as to being an early or late model. Sometime later a hydrostatic trans was made available and the 111H was born. Then a bigger engine was shoehorned, a 16 hp twin, and the 116 and 116H came on the scene.

For us, there were pretty darn rugged tractors and many's the field that was mowed with these. Common problems were the bushings in the transaxle, these seemed to wear out pretty often and the double pulley on the mower deck. The bearing went out often but was easily replaced. After some time the idlers on the drive system would also wear out. Other than that they just seemed to run and run.

Later on Deere debuted what was basically the same tractor design with a Kawasaki motor. Now that was a grass cutting machine. I loved them, they were torquey and nearly indestructible. I am referring to the 180 series.

I say go ahead and buy it. Good tractor.
Collectible? Well who knows?

Greg

My 111H gave me 23 years of mowing service, before the Briggs motor died for good. I certainly got our moneys-worth out of the mower. Except during dry spells, we would cut 1 1/2 acres twice a week with it. This year I will be replacing it with a new one, John Deere of course.



Murphy

I have a later 111 and I use it weekly to mow my lawn. I have had it for 5 years now. So far the only problem I have had with it is the plastic gear on the starter that wore out that I had to replace.