Manual or Automatic Riding Lawn Mower

[LBrown59]

Once you go hydrostatic for mowing you'll never go back. It's a huge difference. I have shifted my fair share of gears and pushed many a clutch. I wouldn't even consider a tractor (for mowing) with out a hydro now.

No gears for tractors for me mowing or not.

 

[woodsy]

I've had 2 manuals and 2 hydro's. No question that the hydro's win every time. Backing up and stop & go work with a manual is one big PITA.

A positive note on a manual is the power of pulling in straight, non-obstructed areas of your property. A hydro definately works better though for grass cutting and general yard work.

 

[LBrown59]

I've had 2 manuals and 2 hydro's. No question that the hydro's win every time. Backing up and stop & go work with a manual is one big PITA.

A positive note on a manual is the power of pulling in straight, non-obstructed areas of your property. A hydro definately works better though for grass cutting and general yard work.

Gears : The Ma Bell hand crank phones of tractor trannys..

 

[Iplayfarmer]

My lot is broken into a few sections. The smaller the section of yard, the more I appreciate my hydro. More turns, more obstacles, more stoping and reversing. It's just easier with the hydro.

Then I get in my truck and can't find the reverse pedal.

 

[vsteel]

I think the best thing of a hydro is if you have an overgrown section that needs cut. I had some tall grass one time that I needed to get rid of, with the hydro it wasn't a problem because I could go slow enough to get the job done nicely without overworking the tractor or slipping a clutch.

In my yard I have different thickness of grass, the hydro lets me easily speed up on the thinner sections and slow down for the thick stuff. I will never own a geared mower again.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have owned both in the past but I much prefer mowing with the automatic...

 

[rebel727]

I purchased a new lawn tractor from sears with the Auto Transmission. I had trouble from day one and then found out it was being recalled due to a Transmission issue. I then ordered the 28903, the least expensive Lawn Tractor with manual transmission and I have never looked back. It is perfect for my needs. I have about 1\4 acre lot and it cuts my mowing time in half. I think many people buy more tractor then they need. Other then not having a oil filter it is perfect. I can hook up a plow for winter snow plowing and I bought the 42 in. Sweeper too because we end up with 80 or more bags of leaves in the fall. My friend has an older 14.5 hp craftsman tractor and it does a good job plowing around 6" of snow at a time. Mine has a little more power at 17.5 so I am good to go. I also pay less for my protection agreement due to the reduced cost of the tractor. Get the standard guys and never look back.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Ive never used a gear. When I looked for a lawn tractor I looked for a hydrostatic JohnDeere model. I ended up buying an L118 and love it. I have lots of trees, stumps, and flower beds to mow around. To bad the trees are to young so you have to do forward reverse a lot. Yesterday I mowed the neighbors yard and loved it. Please read my Help! thread I started! Good luck!