Hydrostatic tranny: Foot control or hand control?

[CooHead]

I just got this cool little Mits MT180.
Hydro tranny.
Foot pedal makes you go forward or back.

But there is linkage to activate the forward/reverse speed with hand control. A lever right nest to the throttle. That linkage is disconnected.

Now that I've cut the grass and skidded some logs and dragged my track, I can see where hand control would be better. With my right foot on the go pedal, I cannot hit one of the rear tire brakes or the little posi-traction foot pedal. My right foot is busy already. But, if forward/backward was right hand, I would have my right foot available to lock up spinning tire brake and/or engage both rear tires.

Besides, when doing laps cutting the lawn, right right ankle aches from having to hold the pedal for forward motion. The hand control lever has an adjustable detent....AKA cruise control.

So, what is more common to use for forward motion on hydro tranny? Foot control or hand?

I'm going to adjust and lube and hook up the hand control to try it.

CooHead

 

[Wolfy]

Depends on the brand. My Kubota garden tractor is foot operated. My dad has 2 Simplicity garden tractors that are hand operated. I think it is kind of a washout.

 

[4570Man]

I have a factory installed cruise control on my Kubota and a foot pedal. The only time I use the cruise control is for moving the tractor while I'm sitting on the backhoe. It is mounted on the left side in the same place the 3ph lever is on the right so I can reach it from the backhoe seat. If only it could move the tractor backwards I would have it made.

 

[MHarryE]

Foot operated - can't use a loader if your hand is on the propel control.

 

[paulfun9]

We have a small mower with a hand control and for most mowing I like it but when it gets to areas that need lots of direction change and speed changes a foot control would be best. With that said and having the cruise control on two of my tractors I would prefer to have both a hand control that stays where you put it in an easy to reach spot just like the mower does and foot controls that will automatically override the hand control for when you want to switch back for up close work.