Hi there,
Joel here from Earth Tools...So, to clear things up regarding the new Grillo G110: Yes, this is essentially a upgraded version of the G107, with a larger PTO shaft and clutch to handle the extra engine HP (up to 14hp gas, 11hp diesel), and also longer handlebars with different handlebar controls for better operator comfort. Grillo designed this machine to be a direct competitor for the BCS 852/853/749.
The particulars regarding the clutch and tranny:
The clutch is a dry, multi-plate disk clutch, which has more disk surface area than any machine in its class, yet requires very little effort to use the clutch control (comparable effort to new PowerSafe hydraulic clutch on BCS 739, 749 & 750)...and this clutch is still very easily owner-serviced if needed (like all Grillo machines, and UNLIKE the BCS PowerSafe hydraulic clutch).
The gearbox uses most of the same components that were on the G107, with the exception of the PTO shaft and PTO housing, which have been strengthened by over 50%. The PTO shaft coupling on this machine is the FLAT-3-TOOTH (not tapered) design (which is the type used on the G131)...but the bolt-pattern for the PTO is the same as the G107 (the G131 its own, larger bolt pattern), so with this combination of PTO coupling and bolt-pattern, really this machine has its own specific PTO type. We will offer a full line of implements to fit the G110, essentially mirroring the selection we offer for the BCS 852/853/749 machines. Also, existing G107 implements can be used on the G110 with a very simple adapter. The PTO coupling system chosen for the G110 offers excellent durability (the G131 has used this same shaft coupling for 40 years, and it will carry up to 18hp) while still offering very easy and inexpensive user servicing if needed.
The ground speeds of the G110 are like those in the G107, which are faster than the comparable BCS in the higher (mowing) speeds...this is typically considered desirable by our customers.
Additional features are: All G110 machines come standard equipment with the 5x12x22" wheels (on the BCS 852/853/749, the standard wheels on the gas-powered units are 5x10x20"; only the diesel models come with the 12" rim wheels as standard. These gas BCS machines can be upgraded to the larger wheels, but it is an upcharge of $50...so make sure to take this into account in price comparisons). Also, the G110 features a "Smart-Reverse", which automatically changes the forward/reverse control orientation when the handlebars are rotated around from front-to-rear PTO (or vice versa). This is a feature originally developed by Grillo in the early 1980s and then "borrowed" by BCS from 1989 to 2003 on some models. BCS never got it quite right, as it was easy to screw up this feature on the BCS models it was on...Grillo had this feature on the G107 up until 2010, and it worked great and was very durable, but the version they had on the G107 did not allow an anti-vibration system to be in place on the handlebars, so we decided to have Grillo take the Smart Reverse off the G107 in favor of the anti-vibe system. The G110 is engineered to offer both the Smart Reverse AND anti-vibrated handles, so it's the best of all possible systems.
As of the date of this posting, the G110 is not shown on our website or in our catalog, but hopefully I will have that rectified soon.
Best regards,
Joel Dufour, Earth Tools