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Top 5 Most Common John Deere L110 Problems & Troubleshooting Tips

If you have been in the landscaping business for a while or are even a casual homeowner who mows his own lawn, you must have heard the name, John Deere. This brand sets the standard for both residential and industrial lawnmowers with its huge catalog featuring a wide variety of machines.

Among their many fine offers, the John Deere L110 is an entry-level sub-2000-dollar lawnmower. But while it is categorized as a residential mower, it comes with a fantastic design and offers excellent performance regardless of what you choose to do with it.

But the thing about lawnmowers is that they crave attention. And if you don’t give it to them, then over time, they may start to show some worrying signs. The John Deere L110 is not an exception to that. If you don’t take care of it, it will act up and malfunction.

For example, if you don’t clean your mower, eventually, it will start having engine troubles, transmission issues, and a lot of other problems. Most of these issues, however, can be avoided simply by servicing your mower periodically.

In this article, I will talk about some of the common problems that come up in the John Deere L110 and help you understand what you need to do to fix them. So, without further delay, let us get started.

John Deere L110 Problems

Common Problems With The John Deere L110 And How To Fix Them

The John Deere L110 is one of the most popular lawnmowers out there. It offers a nice balance of price and performance, making it the top pick for many homeowners.

But then again, to cut costs, the manufacturers had to cut corners in certain areas. This can leave the mower open to several different issues. Thankfully, if you know the steps, you should be able to fix almost any of the issues that come up with this lawnmower.

With that said, here are some of the common problems that you might face with the John Deere L110 and its solutions.

1. Engine Won’t Run

Engine Won’t Run

If you suddenly notice the engine in your John Deere L110 lawnmower doesn’t want to start anymore, that can be a very worrying sign. But it’s best not to panic as most engine issues can be fixed by yourself without any hassle.

Let’s start with the most obvious reason first. With John Deere mowers, there’s a safety feature in the form of a  switch in the brake pedal. Unless you press down on the brake pedal fully, the engine will not start.

In addition, make sure the PTO switch is turned on, as that can prevent the main engine from starting up. If that doesn’t fix the issue, then inspect the fuel level and make sure it is topped off. Low fuel levels or stale oil can cause the engine to malfunction.

If the gas is stale, you should drain the tank and refuel it as soon as possible. Finally, check the spark plugs. Spark plugs in lawnmowers can get damaged pretty easily and replacing them should not be too expensive.

They might also just be coated with dirt and gunk. In that case, cleaning and reseating them should fix the problem. Lastly, check the fuel filter and make sure there are no blockages preventing the fuel from flowing to the engine.

2. Poor Engine Performance

Poor Engine Performance

Sometimes the engine might start up, but the performance takes a heavy hit. Now, some might think that it’s inevitable with an entry-level mower like this one. However, if you dig deep, you should be able to figure out what’s causing this issue and restore the performance of your engine.

In most cases, poor engine performance is the result of a clogged fuel filter or old gas. Ideally, you only want to use high-quality gasoline with your lawnmower. Cheap gas often comes with alcohol additives which can cause a decline in engine performance.

If the gas in your mower is stale, make sure you replace it. Also, clean the fuel tank while you’re at it. You should also clean or replace the fuel filter depending on how long you have been using it. I always recommend changing the fuel filter once every year to ensure top performance.

Also, check the air filters. Similar to the fuel filters, the air filters can get blocked off by dirt and gunk and can mess with the oil viscosity. Replacing the air filter should help improve engine performance in your John Deere L110 lawnmower.

3. Electrical Issues

Electrical Issues

You can also sometimes notice some electrical issues in your lawnmower. For example, if you see that the engine starts up without a hiccup, but the electric starter in your lawnmower does not turn on, then the problem lies with the electrical components in the machine.

First things first, open up the hood and check for any loose connections and wiring. If you find any wiring issues, reestablishing the connections should fix things.

But sometimes the battery is the culprit behind electrical problems. If the mower had been sitting in your garage for a couple of months, there’s a chance that the battery got drained. In that case, recharging the battery should fix all the issues.

However, if you see that the battery will not hold its charge even after recharging, you might have a dead battery in your hands. Then you would have no other option but to replace the dead battery.

4. Drive Train Malfunction

Drive Train Malfunction

Drive train issues are pretty easy to diagnose and even easier to fix. If you suddenly see that your lawnmower is vibrating excessively when you operate it, there’s a good chance that the drive belt has slipped off or is damaged.

All you have to do is open up the foot panel and inspect the drive belt. If it slipped off, put it back in place and tighten the tension – that should fix the problem. However, if the belt is worn out, then replacing it is the only option for you.

A sign that your drive belt is slowly failing is that the lawnmower will have a slower acceleration. If you notice this issue, then you should check your drive belt right away to make sure nothing is blocking its movement

5. Poor Cutting Performance

Poor Cutting Performance

If the blades in your John Deere L110 got dull, naturally, you would notice a massive decline in its cutting performance. Ideally, you should inspect the blades of your mower every few weeks and resharpen them when needed. Resharpening the blades will extend their lifetime and help you get the most out of them.

If you continue to use dull blades with your mower, there’s a chance that the blade will get dented and damaged beyond repair. At that point, resharing them will not help you get any more use out of them.

You also want to check the mower’s deck and make sure it is level. Sometimes an uneven mower deck can be the culprit behind the uneven cutting of the John Deere L110.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning to buy a new John Deere L110 to take care of your lawn, then it’s natural to have some questions about the machine. While I may not be able to address all of them here, I will try my best to answer a few common questions that people have asked me in the past about this lawnmower.

1. What type of engine does the John Deere L110 come with?

The John Deere L110 features a 17.5 HP Kohler CV491 gas engine with a single-cylinder design. It has a displacement capacity of 29.9 cubic inches and a Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic transmission system.

2. How long does the John Deere L110 last?

It’s extremely hard to answer exactly how long your lawnmower to last. Typically, John Deere lawnmowers are designed to serve you well for at least a good couple of years if you service them properly.

So, it’s a pretty safe bet that your lawnmower will last at least two years. However, lack of maintenance can cause it to malfunction much sooner than that.

Final Thoughts

The key to preserving the top performance of your John Deere L110 lawnmower is to maintain it when the time demands it. I know not everyone can afford the time, but that’s the best and simplest way to ensure your mower doesn’t face the issues that I discussed above.

If you can’t manage to take care of the lawnmower yourself, you should at least take it to the garage once every three months. That way, a licensed professional will be able to catch any early signs of troubles in your mower and help you tackle them before things get too complicated.

Hopefully, my in-depth article on the different issues of the John Deere L110 could help you get a better understanding of your lawnmower. Good luck!

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