When you've been searching for task management or just a solid, older mower to keep your lawn in check, the deere 112l is one associated with those machines that deserves a second look. It's from an era when things were built a little differently, sitting correct in that sweet spot between the particular heavy-duty garden vehicles of the seventies and the contemporary, plastic-heavy mowers you see in the big-box stores today. This isn't the largest machine in the world, also it certainly isn't the fastest, nevertheless there's a cause you still see them popping up on local classified ads and working in neighborhoods across the country.
The 112L had been part of the 100 series that John Deere rolled out in the mid-1980s. At that time, they were trying to capture homeowners who had maybe an acre or two of grass yet didn't need a massive, industrial-grade machine like the three hundred or 400 collection. What they ended up creating had been a reliable, fairly simple lawn tractor that has aged surprisingly nicely.
What's Underneath the Hood?
The center of the deere 112l is usually really its greatest feature: the Kawasaki engine. Specifically, most of these arrived with the Kawasaki FB460V. It's a 12. 5-horsepower, single-cylinder engine that is amazingly gutsy for its dimension. If you talk to anyone who works on old mowers, they'll tell you that will these Kawasaki motors are basically bulletproof if you give them even a shred of regular servicing.
It's a vertical base engine, which was standard for the "L" (lawn) series. Unlike some of the particular twin-cylinder engines that came later, this single-cylinder setup is usually a breeze to operate on. There's plenty of room in the engine bay, therefore if you need to swap an interest plug, clean the carburetor, or replace the oil, you aren't busting your knuckles against the body. It just feels like a machine that was designed to be owned plus maintained by the regular person, not really a specialized specialist with a drawer full of amazing tools.
The particular Drive System and Transmission
Now, it's important to remember that the deere 112l is a manual transmission machine. We've all gotten very used to hydrostatic drives—the kind where you just push a pedal and go—but this little Deere uses a 5-speed Peerless gear tranny.
Could it be as convenient as being a hydro? No, probably not. But there's a certain charm to this. You select your equipment based on how thick the grass is, allow out the clutch, and you're off. The gear-drive system is actually quite robust. You don't have to be concerned about hydraulic pumps failing or obtaining air in the particular lines. As very long as you don't abuse the clutch and you keep the particular drive belt in good shape, it'll keep pulling till the sun goes down.
The "L" designation effectively means this can be a "Lawn" tractor rather than a "Garden" tractor. A person shouldn't expect in order to hook up a weighty ground-engaging plow and start turning over a field with this. It's meant with regard to mowing, pulling a small cart of mulch, or probably utilizing a light dethatcher. Knowing those limits is the key to producing one of these types of last another forty years.
That Classic John Deere Quality
One particular thing you'll see the second a person sit on a deere 112l is it feels solid. The frame isn't some thin, placed piece of sheet steel that flexes when you hit a bump. It's obtained some heft in order to it. Even the fender deck—the part you're actually sitting down on—is made of real metal.
The hood is usually where you'll see some age, as they will were made associated with a fiberglass-like materials that can obtain brittle and break over decades of heat and gerüttel. But even along with a few cracks within the "nose, " the machine by itself feels planted.
The steering is another focus on. It's manual, of course, but it's geared well enough that will you aren't combating the wheel. They have a surprisingly tight turning radius to get a tractor from the 80s, which can make it pretty useful if you possess a lot of trees or blossom beds to get around.
Mowing Efficiency
Most associated with these units were paired with a 38-inch mower porch. While that might sound small compared to the 54-inch or 60-inch behemoths people buy today, 38 inches is usually actually a great size for the particular average suburban lot. It's wide enough to do a great job quickly, yet narrow enough in order to fit by way of a regular backyard gate.
The cut high quality of the deere 112l is usually honestly better compared to some brand-new mowers I've seen. Due to the fact it utilizes an easy two-blade system, this creates a lot of lift. In case you keep these blades sharp, it'll leave your lawn looking like a golf course. The discharge chute is also pretty wide, so this doesn't often clog up as very easily as some modern decks that are cramped by basic safety baffles.
Standard Issues to Look Out For
Look, no forty-year-old machine is perfect. When you're buying a deere 112l nowadays, there are a few things should check. First, look at the carburetor. Modern gasoline along with ethanol is a nightmare for people old Kawasaki engines. When the tractor continues to be sitting for a year or two, the carb is almost certainly gummed up. Luckily, they are usually simple to pull plus clean, or you can find decent replacements relatively cheaply.
The second thing will be the "mule drive"—the system of pulleys that routes the particular belt through the engine to the mower deck. Over time, the idler pulleys could possibly get squeaky or even the bearings may seize up. It's a simple fix, but it's some thing to listen regarding once you engage the blades. If this sounds like a bag of marbles, you've got a few work to do.
Lastly, examine the wiring. The particular safety switches (like the one beneath the seat or the particular one on the particular PTO) can get finicky with age. Sometimes people bypass all of them, which is the safety hazard, therefore it's always worthy of checking to notice if the wires harness looks such as a bird's home.
Why Purchase One Now?
You might become wondering why anybody would bother with a deere 112l when you can just go buy a new mower with a cup holder and power steerage. For me, it comes down to two things: value and simplicity.
You are able to often find these mowers with regard to a few hundred dollars. Even in the event that you spend another hundred on the brand-new battery, some belts, and a clean oil change, you will still have a device which is arguably even more durable than a $2, 000 entry-level mower from a big-box store. Plus, there exists a massive community associated with John Deere fanatics out there. When you come across a problem, a quick search online will discover you a number of forum threads detailing exactly how to fix it, usually with pictures.
There's also simply something satisfying about using a piece of classic machinery. The smell of the exhaust system, the mechanical "clunk" when you change gears, and the bright green and yellow paint just make yard work feel a little less like a chore and much more like a hobby.
Final Thoughts
The deere 112l represents a time when Steve Deere was mastering the homeowner tractor. It's not extravagant, it doesn't have an infotainment display screen, and it doesn't go 10 kilometers per hour. But this does what it was constructed to do: it cuts grass dependably and it remains together.
If you discover one that's already been sitting in the barn or a garage, don't be scared from it. With the little bit of grease and a few fresh fuel, there's a very great chance it'll fireplace right up and give you another 10 years of service. They just don't create them like this particular anymore, and that's precisely why the 112L remains a preferred for anyone who appreciates "old metal. "