Feedback on possible John Deere 111 purchase

[z0lt3c]

Hey Guys-
Looking for some feedback and advise on a JD garden tractor I am looking at tomorrow. It's a model 111 tractor and comes with 38" mower deck, single stage snow blower w/ chains/rear weights and matching dump cart.

I am primarily looking for a machine to help remove snow from my 900 ft half-gravel, half-asphalt driveway. Secondarily, looking for something to mow once in a while, but I have a service that does most of my mowing. Also looking to move some trailers around on my property and haul garage to the curb.

The seller states everything is in good running order with no issues. Here is a link to the CL listing;

111 John Deere lawn tracter with snow thrower $450 OBO --

I have a budget of $500, this 111 package would hopefully be a little under $450. I am also looking at Wheel Horse 310 models and the bigger JD 200's, but it's hard to find one with a snowblower, and I don't really want to mess around with buying pieces and trying to get them to work. Buying the 111 package would be real easy for me (and it's close) but I am worried it's not heavy duty enough for my use cases. What do you guys think?


Thanks,

 

[beenthere]

It was a solid tractor and if in reasonably good shape now, should be worth the $$. Expect to have to keep things tuned up and you should be good.

The least worry should be that it isn't heavy duty. Blowing snow won't be fast, but should get the job done if you have the time to ride the distance.

 

[WayneB]

Looking at what you are getting with the package I would think you could sale off the cart and gain some of the money back. Heck if you were closer I would buy the cart! (LOL)

I am not too sure about blowing snow with it? Depends upon the snow condition! The blower is a single stage blower that will do the job if the snow is not too wet / heavy. Check and see if he has rear tire chains to go with the package.

900 feet of driveway is a whole bunch to snowblow and it depends upon if it is hilly, how large the stones might be in the gravel area, and how much you like to sit on a lawn tractor blowing snow? I do our road which is slightly longer than 900 feet and a hill with two curves in it. I use a Kubota with a five foot 3 pt hitch blower and it is slow going.

Wayne

 

[z0lt3c]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The seller is including the rear weights & chains to go w/ the snowblower. I've heard this is simply a requirement for the 111 to be any good in the snow.

The driveway is flat and straight and the gravel section is compressed "crusher run" stone, so it's very small stones and very compact. I previously used a Kubota B7800 w/ converted truck snow plow and rear box blade to clear the driveway in previous years. However, I sold the Kubota recently and now I am looking to downsize to something that fits better in the garage.

I'm a big fan of using rock salt, and I have an ATV spreader I should be able to mount up on the back of the garden tractor, so fully rigged for snow it would be the front single-stage blower, the tractor w/ chains and weights, and then the spreader w/ rock salt in the rear.

I would just hate to buy this machine, take it out in first snow and not be able to get the job done. Even my B7800 would struggle for traction sometimes. For this reason I am really thinking of going w/ a JD 200 series or GT275.

Thanks,

 

[Brimstone10x]

The 111 is atleast twice as good as any of the new tractors the same size. The briggs engines are the weak point . So it better run realy nice . also the snow blower is not a snow pusher so the traction should be fine with the weights and chains. you will have to blow every couple inches , so dress warm and be prepared to tinker . good luck

 

[WayneB]

The 111 is atleast twice as good as any of the new tractors the same size. The briggs engines are the weak point . So it better run realy nice . also the snow blower is not a snow pusher so the traction should be fine with the weights and chains. you will have to blow every couple inches , so dress warm and be prepared to tinker . good luck

I would go ahead and buy the 111 and immediately start looking for a cab for it. A friend of mine has two 318's one for summer mowing and one for winter blowing which has the cab, weights, chains and blower. Hasn't failed him yet and he lives in northern New York.

 

[KENSFM]

For a 900 foot driveway I think that the JD 111 is a little small for what you are trying to do. Don't get me wrong the JD 111 is a great little tractor, but in your intended application I do not think you will be happy with it. The price does look about right for what you are getting with the tractor.
Just my opinion, good luck,
Ken

 

[JCB]

How deep snow are you anticipating to blow? For a 900' driveway the 111 seems way too small for what I'd want...but with a $500 budget it's probably as good as you'll get!

Chains and wheel weights will make give it the traction to move around pretty good, but I can't imagine a 111 single stage blower moving very fast in a 4" snow event.

 

[z0lt3c]

Thanks again for the replies guys.


I am in central NJ, last winter was unusually bad and we had 3 or 4 storms which all dumped over 1 foot of snow and 2 or 3 more dump 4-6 inches. I think a more typical winter is more like 4-6 inches of snowfall 4 or 5 times.

I've been researching these garden tractors for a few weeks now, and although that 111 deal seems to be reasonable, I think I agree with most others that it may just not be enough tractor for me.

Of course, that means I've decided to up the budget, to $700, and I am only expecting to pickup the bare tractor for this amount, no attachments. My plan would be to add a snowthrower later in the year. I'm focusing now on the JD 300 series, I've found a 317 (w/ replaced engine) I would like your opinion on;

John Deere 317 Garden Tractor

It looks like this machine will weight a good 200-300 lbs more then the 111, and be capable of driving a 2 stage snowthrower off the front hydraulics. A much more powerful solution. In the end I will probably spend closer to $1500 on the full setup... but I seem to be more confident that this setup will get the job done. These JD's seem to hold value pretty well.

 

[KENSFM]

I would keep looking, that JD 317 appears to be in rough shape with some hacker owners. I do not like the missing front parts, the way the wheel weights are mounted, and the overall condition of the tractor. Even the CL write-up does not impress me. The price is too high for what you are getting and you will still have to spend more money to do what you want.
Keep looking they are out there. You may have to pay a little more but it will be worth it to get a good one. Try some local dealers, they may have some leads.
Again just my opinion, good luck,
Ken