The 2011 John Deere 1600 Wide Area Mower (WAM) has an 11-foot cutting width and can mow up to 68 acres in an eight-hour day, the company stated. The WAM is equipped with an overhead-valve, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 57-hp Yanmar diesel engine, which is Interim Tier IV compliant, and an on-demand or full-time mechanical rear-wheel drive. Other key updates include standard run-flat tires on the front and wing mower decks and a standard air ride, fully adjustable seat.

New folding roll-over protective structure (ROPS) design and a new engine monitoring and diagnostic console in the operator station add to the ease of operation of the machine, according to the company. A B-20 biodiesel kit is also available on the 1600.