John Deere S110 Review

S110 review

John Deere S110 at a glance

The John Deere S110 sits in the middle of the S-series. It keeps the 42-inch Edge deck and the Tuff Torq hydrostatic drive that define the family, then adds a 19 hp engine, a taller seat back and a reverse implement option. If you are weighing it against the S100 and the S120, the S110 is the one most people end up asking about because it costs only a little more than the base model.

Deere lists the engine as a 33 cubic inch (540 cc) single-cylinder overhead-valve unit. It is air-cooled with a mechanical governor, a cartridge air cleaner and a replaceable filter on a tool-free oil drain.

What changes versus the S100

The most visible changes are in the driver’s seat. The S110’s two-piece open-back seat has a 15-inch back, compared with about 11 inches on the S100. That adds comfort over a one-hour mow. The 19 hp engine also gives it a margin over the S100’s 17.5 hp, which helps when grass is tall or the lawn has a few slopes.

Both tractors share weight, tires and dimensions, so the S110 handles the same way. It weighs 414 lb without fuel, has 15×6-6 front and 20×8-8 rear tires, and turns inside an 18-inch radius. The uncut circle left in the middle of a turn is about 25 inches.

Transmission, speed and braking

Drive comes from a Kanzaki Tuff Torq TLT200 hydrostatic transmission with side-by-side pedals. Forward speed is infinite up to 5.5 mph, reverse tops out at 3.2 mph, and the brakes are internal wet discs. Deere does not fit cruise control or a differential lock to the S110.

The reverse implement option lets you back up with the deck running, which is useful when you are trimming around trees or beds and do not want to disengage the blades each time. This is the practical reason to look at the S110 instead of the S100.

Deck and attachments

The 42-inch side-discharge deck uses 13-gauge steel and two spindles. Height runs from 1 to 4 inches in 13 positions, and the lift lever is spring-assisted. Three-in-one blades are standard. A mulching cover and a high-performance mulching attachment are optional extras, and a 6.5-bushel cut-and-throw bagger is sold separately.

Beyond mowing, the S110 can tow up to 500 lb and accepts a rear weight bracket. Deere offers a 44-inch snow blower, a 46-inch front blade, chains or traction belts and a weather enclosure, so the same machine can plow a driveway in winter.

Limits to know about

There is no receiver hitch, no taillights or backup lights, no 12-volt outlet and no Easy Change oil system. The S110 is not on Deere’s list of tractors that support the optional smart connector. At 2.4 gallons the fuel tank is the same as on its siblings.

The factory warranty is 2 years or 120 hours, whichever comes first. Choose the S110 if you want a better seat and reverse implement option without paying for the V-twin of the S120.