[Complete] John Deere 110 "Sub-Compact Tractor" Build [2018 Build-Off Entry]

The goal of this build is to build a sub-compact tractor out of a garden tractor.  It will have:
Locked rear end
27" ags in the rear
20" Tri-Ribs in the front
Kohler K-181 with modifications, which include
   Straight pipe
   Gov removal (?)
   Shaved head
   Side-gapped plug
   Carb jet drilled out
   Cold air intake/snorkel
7-speed vari-drive
4-speed Peerless 2300
Linear actuated sleeve hitch
1-2 1,200 LBS winches
Rear roll bar
Car Battery

Any other suggestions? Leave them below.  Some of these mods may not happen right away because of money, we've all been there lol.  I will be starting work on my other entry again and doing them both simultaneously.


-Approved by Jerry, 5/7/2018

So a resto mod! Sounds good. If you have a ROPS, be sure to add a seat belt or the ROPS is pointless and actually more dangerous.

MightyRaze wrote:

So a resto mod!  Sounds good.  If you have a ROPS, be sure to add a seat belt or the ROPS is pointless and actually more dangerous.

Yeah pretty much!  Okay, yeah I hadn't thought of that. I may not build a roll bar, because the plan was, since John Deere adds $80 to their already expensive seats just because they have their logo on them, I figured I'd get a pan seat and paint it yellow so it wouldn't look out of place.  I don't think I could have a pan seat and a seat belt at the same time.

The first step to this build will be pulling the engine with the blown rod and spraying all the bolts on the chassis with Liquid Wrench, she was sitting in a field for 10 years before I got her and I doubt the bolts will want to come out.

Should look pretty neat with those tires you have planned. What exactly is the plan for the air cleaner on the snorkel? Don't do a big huge ricey cone filter, those never look right on a tractor in my opinion.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Should look pretty neat with those tires you have planned. What exactly is the plan for the air cleaner on the snorkel? Don't do a big huge ricey cone filter, those never look right on a tractor in my opinion.

IDK really, the main reason I have to is the airbox is gone, the carb is there. The intake I have from an old engine should fit the carb, but not the stock shape. I was thinking, just put a few more inches of pipe and then a circular filter. Something with a bit less restriction.

Yeah a circle-shaped filter sort of like the original one would look neat for sure.

Wow! That’s gonna be sweet.

Interesting build plan! Looking forward to seeing her take shape

swampduck03 wrote:

Wow! That’s gonna be sweet.

Thanks dude!

MatthewD wrote:

Interesting build plan! Looking forward to seeing her take shape

Thanks man!

Okee, so I pulled the carb off, and after some struggling removed the bolt holding the bowl on...and the most disgusting green IDK what and ID want to know came pouring out the bottom, and to say that it smells worse than death is an understatement.  It was very chunky, and now my whole shop smells like 10-year-old gasoline.  A new carb is $16 and I'm thinking I'd rather spend $16 than touch that thing again.

Every bolt on the whole tractor is seized, so I went around today spraying it with Liquid Wrench.  Need to buy lots of sandpaper and green and yellow paint.  Any tips on the carb are welcome! LOL

wut stoopid no good idiot didn't drain the gas out of that thing when he parked it a decade ago 

I don't think you'll have to drill the jet because the carb has an adjustable needle valve, but I like the rest of the plan.

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

wut stoopid no good idiot didn't drain the gas out of that thing when he parked it a decade ago 

One that didn't think he was parking it a decade.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

I don't think you'll have to drill the jet because the carb has an adjustable needle valve, but I like the rest of the plan.

Thanks man!

MightyRaze wrote:

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

wut stoopid no good idiot didn't drain the gas out of that thing when he parked it a decade ago 

One that didn't think he was parking it a decade.  

Haha! Yeah it probably wasn't parked, either. Since the con rod is busted, it could be she died right there.

Okay guys. I really want a diesel in her.
https://austin.craigslist.org/tls/d/yanmar-diesel-motor-needs/6575078618.html
Going to look into it. I may not get it if it is seized.

Need to know what he means by can't get it to turn over. Start or crank (in this case pull rope)

Diesel would be awesome!

If you're going for a "sub-compact" tractor I think a super heavy homemade front axle with steering knuckles and maybe hubs would be a great idea. Definitely be a reliable setup if it was done right, haha

MightyRaze wrote:

Need to know what he means by can't get it to turn over.  Start or crank (in this case pull rope)

Yeah I was wondering about that, too. It could be the pull rope came off and in that case, it's a heck of a deal!
It also should fit without much or any modification to the tractor given its size.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone accidentally ran it on gasoline and locked it up or something. Or ran it low on oil or some silly thing.

swampduck03 wrote:

Diesel would be awesome!

It sure would!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

If you're going for a "sub-compact" tractor I think a super heavy homemade front axle with steering knuckles and maybe hubs would be a great idea. Definitely be a reliable setup if it was done right, haha

First, I have no welder. And the spindles are 5/8s and it has a cast iron axle. I honestly don't know how I could build it any sturdier. I also have bearings in the wheels so I think it'll work great.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

I wouldn't be surprised if someone accidentally ran it on gasoline and locked it up or something. Or ran it low on oil or some silly thing.

Neither would I, but for 140 and sonce I drive thro that town about every 3 days, it's worth looking into.

True, but if the cylinder and piston are trashed it might be an expensive re-build. It also could just need a good oil soaking to be freed up, but ya never know.

If it is seized, I'm probably not going to get it. If I do, and it needs a lot of work, if he got 140 for it, I can too.

He lowered the price to $120.  I asked if it was completely seized or is it just hard to turn over or if the pull cord doesn't work?  It occurred to me, that since it's a diesel, if he's trying to turn over a super high compression engine by grabbing onto the crankshaft, it would be practically impossible to do. The way he worded it, he doesn't sound like he knows much about engines.

Update: Got a reply.
Hi TJ,

Sorry I really don’t know to much about it.  I obtained it with some other equipment.  Overall it looks like it is in good condition but I tried to pull the starter rope and can’t get it to move any so was thinking it was probably seized up.  

Thanks,

Jason
What do ya'll think? Because if it's not attached to anything, it sure would be hard to pull over, being a diesel.

Get it man. Give it a try. Could part it out or adapt fuel injection to the Kohler if it ends up being seized

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Get it man. Give it a try. Could part it out or adapt fuel injection to the Kohler if it ends up being seized

Yeah that's what I'm thinking because that engine is $990 on ebay, so I think I could part it out for more than $120. But I hope it's not seized or I could unseize it easily.