Geared (non-hydro/auto) riding mowers?

GSS · Jul 20, 2004

Maybe I'm old school or perhaps I just haven't ridden enough hydro mowers, but am I the only one who would prefer a geared riding mower?

JD makes one that I'm aware of, but it's in the low end line. I saw no new Cubs or Kubotas which are geared. Wheel Horse might have a few.

I currently have a Cub Cadet 1650 (1975) and a JD110 (1973). The 110 is too small and the 1650 is too loud and the hydro requires too much constant adjustment up and down hills to keep a steady speed. We wanted to look for something else and trade in the two above.

Does anyone else feel this way? Are there other makers with geared mowers?

Thanks.

- Gerald

Ozarker · Jul 20, 2004

I have never owned anything but gear riders. It just doesn't make any sense to me to spend extra for a hydro riding mower when all I usually do with a mower is put it in one gear and cut grass.

beenthere · Jul 20, 2004

I'd never, ever, ever go back to a gear, as I find the hydro mucho convenient and so much quicker to mow the acres I mow. Good luck on finding a gear outfit, but it may me tough. The high end machines all cater to the hydro, as far as I know.

mwood · Jul 20, 2004

I've noticed that if you want to go with a quqlity machine, it is very hard to find a new one with gears.

If I were you, I'd try to trade in those tractors for an older deere like the 216. Bigger than the 110, not too loud, and geared. I have one and love it. It has a 42 inch deck, so it's not huge, but I love riding it. If you have large acreage, it may not quite fit the bill.

Just my $0.02.

yellowsocks93 · Jul 21, 2004

I prefer geared compacts tractors over hydros but for garden tractors I like hydros if you have over 600 trees to mow around like me. I currently use a geared John Deere GT 242 which may be a great series for you to look at used. The highest hp gear drive that Deere made was like the GT 262 with 17 hose Kawasaki single cyl. I have 14 in mine. I like it but like a hydro more. Used the old 1975 214 for a couple years when I was really young and liked it so much I had to get a new gear drive JD.

bontai_Joe · Jul 21, 2004

For cutting grass I definitely prefer hydro, but I learned on gears and just recenly bought a Deere 210 with gears. Sears and Husqvarna offer their high end garden tractor with a 6 speed gear tranny. It is considered to be very strong and a proven design. You might want to check them out. Can be had with up to a 54" deck I believe.

GSS · Jul 21, 2004

Thanks for your ideas guys. I made a note of those other models and will check the local dealers for used ones. Probably can't take advantage of the 0-0-0 deal going on right now, but might save some money anyway.

- Gerald