Guys, Not an ATV question...but I do your help non the less. I am going to buy a new riding lawnmower and have to decide if I want to spend the extra couple of hundred bucks for the automatic. I have a large yard so I would not be doing a lot of stoping and starting, but I might use it with a plow or snowblower attachment. I have heard that it's not that big of a deal, but I don't want to wish I had spent the extra money for an automatic.

 

See if the Hydro has ability to maintain speed without holding down pedal. I used to mow 'uge areas and foot would get tired pinning throttle to the floor. Of course I'm a wimp. That never helps. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Last summer I purchased one of the small John Deere, L110 17.5 hp kohler $1,800.00 and its a belt driven hydro to keep the trails and around the parking lots mowed down and it was $300.00 more over the geared model but I think its worth it for the ease of operation. How the gas pedal operates they should have done this feature years ago because older hydro was a stick on the side which you bumped around with your right hand. Now if you purchase these models at the John Deere dealer you get an extra year warranty or 3 years vs. 2 at homedepot

John Deere L110 at home depot Hit on the learn more link

 

Try lawntractorconnection.com, they have a lot of good info there.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

All joking aside, my lawntractor is manual and it is easy as pie. I wouldn't bother spending extra money for the auto.

 

It depends on the Brand. Some brands ( Sears is one) that recomends Manual trans for any heavy work, like plowing. The thing that tears them up the most is shifting to faster speeds while under a heavy load. Like trying to push deep snow with more speed so you dont get stuck.
A constant speed isnt a problem.
BTW, What brand you interested in?

 

Deff. go with the hydrostat. That is all i have owned and never had any problems with it. well i take that back on my latest mower, a 2002 john deere LX277 all-wheel-steer, sometimes you have to pull back on the pedal if you want to speed up in reverse, but that is just beacause the bars get bent from the extensive use. I have had it for 2 1/2 years with 325 hours on it and have never had any down time. Also, i would look around for a good used john deere mower. If you are just planning on mowing your own yard it wouldnt be worth the 5 or 6 thousand dollars to buy a great mower. used mowers are going for around 2000-2500 bucks. Deff. Deff. go with an LX series mower. Also, with most of the newer LX mowers they have the foot powerd and also there is a cruize control on the right hand side. Also a cup holder on the left side, well worth it, if you buy a used one with it goto the john deere store and pick one up for $25.00 and it just sticks on to the fender. Its worth it.lol Yeah i do ALOT of mowing and have had no problems with my john deere. I have to go eat right now but i will get back on and find you a dealer cloose to you.

 

Thanks for all your advice...I went and got a John Deeree L118 today, its an automatic with a twin V engine...I paid a little more than I wanted to, but it is a good mower.

 

You must have purchased the Limited Edition model

I think you will like it.

 

hydro all the way. Buy a Simplicity or Agco Allis. The stripes look like a ballpark, no JD can give you that!

 

i'd say go with a hydro it's a lot more dependable , we use them at my city job for mowing parks and we looked at johndeere and several others and we finally went with a kuboto faster blade speed and more horse power ,and about a third the price of a toro or a deere , you should see what it will do to a baseball going thru the blades , it totaly sherds it , cool[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]