I've owned my 1976 john deere 110 for 8 years and it has never stalled once. Today while mowing it just quit. When I tried to restart it, the starter spins but does not turn the engine over. The batter tests good but I fully recharged it to be safe. I removed the gas tank, hood and front grille assembly and cleaned all electrical connections I could see. I put it all back together and still the same thing. The starter spins but does not turn the motor over. It is $200 for a new starter, but I'm not convinced it is the starter because the mower quit while I was mowing and it has never done this in 8 years. It doesn't seem like a bad starter would cause a well running engine to suddenly quit. Please help.
Eddie

I am answering my own question in case any one else ever needs an answer to this question. The starter would not engage because the bendix assembly was either really gummed up or really dry. I sprayed wd-40 into the area where the bendix is and it immediately turned more easily. I keyed the ignition and voilà the engine turned over. This is not a long term solution because I assume the problem will return, but I could not get easy access to the two starter bolts to properly remove and clean/lube the gear assemlby.

Eddie