You won't find a new engine that fits the 111. Briggs doesn't make L-head engines anymore, and an OHV engine won't fit unless you do some serious modifications. I had a small engine shop down the road tell me he could put in a Briggs Intek for $700. But after talking to Briggs, they said it absolutely wouldn't fit. Your best bet is to buy a 12.5 hp Kawasaki FB460V engine replacement. This engine was used on the 112L (exact same as 111H, except for the motor), and also with the 165, which was the later version of the 111H with the same transmission and frame (but a different hood). I picked up a 111H for my father in law in good shape, and running, but not well. It starts right up but knocks and smokes a bit. The Briggs is wore out. I found a 165 in good shape with a strong Kawasaki motor but a bad transmission. Right now I'm trying to decide which tractor should be the donor and which should be the fixer-upper. They're both in similar condition, it's just a question which is more work to swap, the engine or transmission. Before I found the 165 I was going to buy a Kawasaki engine from a guy on eBay. I spoke to him on the phone. Seemed like a nice guy. He is liquidating the inventory of a relative's Deere dealership, which includes a bunch of these no-longer-made engines. If you really want to keep that 111, this would be absolutely the best option. They are much higher quality engines than the Briggs, and he'll work with you on the price. The Kawi has cast iron cylinder liners and a full-pressure lube system. Most didn't come with an oil filter, but you can buy a retrofit kit which will add one. If you give him a call and deal directly with him (saving him the listing fees), he can save you a few bucks. His name is Mike, 402-813-2307. He'll probably sell you one of the engines for $400+ shipping. I think they cost something like $800 new from JD when they were available. Let me know how it goes! -Chris Here is a link that might be useful: FB460V on eBay

Thank you for the advices! I don't have the know-how or tools to replace the engine with anything that doesn't exactly fit where the old one was. Repair guy would have to do the work. (At least I've found someone who seems to know what he's doing, unlike the people I used to go to attached to a JD dealership. The old engine had no oil dip stick and the former folks were extremely vague as to how much oil to use--hence the wrecking of the old engine. I, too late, now know I should have been been keeping it brim-full, something I've never done and something they didn't do either when they changed the oil once while attempting to repair other problems!) I've located a reasonably priced and well-maintained replacement mower on Craig's list--should be delivered soon.

Well as I have said in previous post's on both this forum and other The 3oinch can do the Job but you may have to go over the new ground more than once. The Hydraulic tiller may even take more than one pass the first time. The mechanical tiller is like having a walk behind but it is mounted. The hydraullic tiller weights 265lbs for the GX300 or X500 series The 30inch weights 145lbs. Here is what Deere says about the 42inch tiller " It is wider than the 30inch Mechanical tiller More compact and less costly than the 647 Tiller" and he is what Deere also says "The 42inch reversible-tine tiller includes self-contained hydraulic reservoir,pump and motor to run tine shaft. it offers the distinct advantage of being much quieter than conventional chain- driven tillers,plus housing mounting points can be reversed for back tilling(tines rotate in opposite direction of tractor wheels and tires)Back tilling is generally used for breaking new ground and cultivating harder,compacted soil" Now if you reverse the housing around remeber to go slow as slow as you can when back tilling. To tell you the truth The Hydraulic tiller is more versitible than the 30inch mechanical tiller because you can back till with it. Which is another reason I bought mine for my X485 and I didn't want a 48inch wide(647) tiller mostly for storage space. I had a JD 425 with a 450 tiller which took up alot of room. Go with the 42inch Hydraulic tiller You will not regret it Except maybe when your mounting it. I have a 3point so it pretty easy. Where yours will be a frame mount. all I have done to my Hydraulic tiller is change the filter and Hydraulic fluid every two years and had to replace on cotter pin I have had it since spring 2004. The 30inch tiller can do it but it will take longer and several passes in that New York soil Which is what it took me with the soil conditions around Fort Drum and around Watertown New York which was alot of Clay and rocky soil it was a 30inch mounted on a JD240. The Hydraulic tiller for the most part will till throught ground like it's butter. I till over 3acres twice a year with my Hydraulic tiller and do other tilling projects for neigbors. I Actually have two Hydraulic tillers the other is a 30inch Hydraulic tiller mounted on a 2002 Cub Cadet 2206 which the wife uses for her Flower garden plots. Just saying in the past I made do with the 30inch mechanical tiller and it can do the job. But now that I have the Hydraulic driven tillers I would never go back to the Mechanical driven tillers. So I hope this helps I vote for the 42inch Hydraulic driven Tiller and good luck with this years Garden plots and projects. Here is a link that might be useful: 42inch tiller

Thanks for the feedback. I did do some test drives and more research. I liked the LX468 but something about it didn't feel right. It was on a wicked sale that ended - I would have paid sale price, but think I'll go another route if full price. I like that the LA115 can supposedly handle attachments like aerators and such - though its highly confusing to newbies as the deere website says go ahead and use the attachments, while most seem to suggest the la115 can't really handle them. I'm also not as comfortable riding in the deere as I expected. I'm also considering a Poulan PB22H46YT now. Its a yard vs a lawn or garden tractor so by the definitions I've seen - somewhere in between. I like that it has the v-twin engine and also I seem to fit in it better. Not in love with it being 46" though, 42" is more appropriately sized. Nice sale price on it now though. I'm 6-1 250lbs so I think I'm about average with a couple of extra pounds. Felt hunched over in the deere, the poulan fit better. Thanks for commenting for newbies like me