Difference between hydro and non..

[jdeer]

What is the difference between a hydro mower and non. Power? Speed? Does it pay-off to have the hydro...? What is a good average hp too?

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

YES it is like daylight and dark buy what you need the first time with no regrets,what are you looking at.

[fiveoboy01]

Generally more speed, more controllability, no belts to slip or replace.

Desired HP will depend on the deck size, and what type/height of grass you are cutting, and if you plan to use a sulky.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Go to scag,simply the best, mowers by which all others are judged.

[fiveoboy01]

Go to scag,simply the best, mowers by which all others are judged.

Can you prove the truth in that statement?

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

The truth is in the operator simply the best is on the web and a slogan,mowers by which all others are judged is in the cut, price, equipment, and warranty match these and then we will talk.

[fiveoboy01]

Go to scag,simply the best, mowers by which all others are judged.

You still offer no proof to back that statement up.

Scags are good mowers. But there are others out there that are just as good.

Don't trumpet an opinion as fact.

Not to mention, the OP said NOTHING about brand. He wanted to know the advantages of hydro over belt driven walk behind mowers, and what HP he should be looking at.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

You started the pissing match not me can exmark match scags warranty.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Man there's nothing wrong with exmark,i have scag and i am backing em 100%.

[lawnman_scott]

You started the pissing match not me can exmark match scags warranty.He didnt start a pissing match, just pointed out that your opinion of an inferior mower is way too high. Perhaps there is a reason they have a longer warranty? I personally feel they are heavy boatanchors.

[fiveoboy01]

You started the pissing match not me can exmark match scags warranty.

I started it? Where?

Where did I mention Exmark?

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Lawn man what are you cutting with,have you owned a scag in what year what was the problem your opinion means no more to me than mine to you.

[fiveoboy01]

I never stated my opinion. I merely asked you to provide evidence to back up your(very opinionated) position.

In any case, this thread will probably be locked/deleted because there isn't much to help the person who was asking the question. And I'm not going to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man... So I'm out of the discussion.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

OH i am armed with a turf tiger and all night in opinions.

[Clear-Cut]

im interested in the differences between hydro and belt and whatever else there is out there

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Well with a hydro going from drive to reverse you squeeze the handle and a gear you have to come to a complete stop and take your hand to shift.

[ed2hess]

If you are doing a lot of wide open space there is little difference between the two. When you get into small tight places the hydro will really be very efficient and less stress on you. The Scag belt drive units are very strong and reliable and a lot cheaper than the hydro.

[MattsMowing3535]

It has all mostly been said except that in rain and on steep hills you can almost not use a belt drive :nono: Hydro drives will never slip and tend to last long they cost more to replace but it takes alot of hours atleast 2000 until you need to worry about that. I decided to go with a hydro drive in the end and am picking up my Exmark Viking tommarrow. I dont care what mower you get. Personaly I like hustler and exmark. But there all just mowers!

[HOOLIE]

If you are doing a lot of wide open space there is little difference between the two. When you get into small tight places the hydro will really be very efficient and less stress on you. The Scag belt drive units are very strong and reliable and a lot cheaper than the hydro.

Good point...really the more you have to turn, relative to the size of the lawn, the more a hydro would help you.

Hydros are very easy to manuever, thus less fatigue to operate versus a belt drive, which you'll appreciate if you're a solo operator. You also get the nice 'infinite' speed adjustments whereas with a belt drive you're stuck with the 5 speeds.

[PMLAWN]

You are in business for one reason,,, Money.
So a mower purchase should be based on money--
A hydro mower costs less. therefore it is the only option.

Now lots of you are saying --"no way, they have a higher price"
Yes they will require more money across the counter on the day you buy it. But they will put more money across YOUR counter everyday after that and will end up being a much more profitible piece of equipment, therefore cheaper to own.
A belt only has a reverse assist, does not really go backwards-- You have to stop and switch gears to do it.
A hydro has total reverse and it is instant, will even back up a hill

A belt does not turn with total control or from power. only by appling the break. which can tear tuff.
A hydro has total control during a turn. with percise control.

A belt will over run itself and has no control going down hill or the ability to hold course on a side hill
A hydro has total control on hills

A belt may slip when wet,
A hydro never slips, again total control

A belt requires a lot more effort from the operator
A hydro will allow you to get more work done in a day for more profit with less effort.

As was stated before. large open lots or a property that does not require turning or backing, a belt will be fine.
For max profit, less operator effort. the ability to dart in and out on a smaller property, hydro is the only option.

[jdeer]

so hydros dont have any belts is that what you're saying?? Also, if I cut grass every week...use common sense on the grass height... wb scag 46 deck.. what hp is common, or do you prefer.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Hydro mowers have two pumps one for each wheel so one wheel can go forwards and the other wheel can go in reverse,belts or gear driven mowers have one pump as for what horse power what model scag are you looking at two things are electric start and elec pto.

[PMLAWN]

so hydros dont have any belts is that what you're saying?? Also, if I cut grass every week...use common sense on the grass height... wb scag 46 deck.. what hp is common, or do you prefer.
There is still a belt for the blades but not for the drive.
15 will do, 17 is very good, I really loved my 19hp on the 48" mowers.
The 17 will run steady even in the wet and tall stuff. I ran a few 17HP prolines (Toro) with velke. elect start. Never let us down.

[2menandamower]

PM isn't there a belt that goes from the engine to the hydro pumps on all hydro mowers?? I have a Red Hawk Hydro and it has a belt for the pumps that comes from the motor. It never slips and my mower does all the above the you stated and then some. I did have the chance to demo a belt drive an in about 10 minutes it went back on the trailer and back to the dealer.. No way in heck would I buy one of those things. Just My Opinion but Hydros are so much better....

[Chuckie]

We ran exmark and toro belt driven wb for years. Worked fine for us and got us through. Switched to 60" hydro walkbehinds this year. I will never go back. We own a few 60" ztrs, and a few 60" hydro walkbehinds now. If I was going into battle for the season and was told by the lawn gods that I can only pick one machine to use all year, I would have to say I would pick one of the 60" hydro walkbehinds with the velke. All around best machine I have ever used, kicks the snot out of my buddies scags all week. And when its time for him to upgrade from his scags, he says EXMARK all the way. But then again, this is just our opinions. :)

[kmann]

He didnt start a pissing match, just pointed out that your opinion of an inferior mower is way too high. Perhaps there is a reason they have a longer warranty? I personally feel they are heavy boatanchors.
Down here, Scag is way down the list. I came name at least 5 other brands I see alot more than Scag. I was talking to another Lco the other day and he's not happy with the Scag he bought. Keeps blowing fuses.

[Grn Mtn]

I have a 6 year old 48" Toro Proline. It has the 14 hp ohv Kawasaki. Belt drive, fixed deck. I bought this unit because at the time I also bought the trailer blower trimmers and chainsaw, so I could not afford a hydro unit.

couple things to note: ohv engines kick butt, I have done nothing to this kawi but the occasional oil/filter change. I have replaced one belt (drive belt for the blades). I run gators on top of the factory blades and have had no problems. The only time power is an issue is if I am in some really tall grass thats wet- however I could see how a 17 hp would be ideal with a 48" blade. I can shift gears with my Toro by swinging my knee and if i release the brakes completely the gear I am in will hold the unit in control and keep it from taking off down the hill. The T-bar drive control of the Toro keeps me from getting fatigued like the pistle grips of the gravely and ferris I used Many moons ago.

If I had the money in the beginning, if I ran a full time lawn cutting business (I landscape so I only mow about 16 hours a week) I would have gone for the hydro, float deck. BUT I don't and this $3400 mower has paid for itself over and over again with NO complaints.

[leejp]

On the same mower, Say a 36" with a 15HP motor would a Belt Drive take less power from the motor and therefore make more power available to the blades or is it visa versa?

[GSPHUNTER]

I think you have to look at the size of your business. For me, this was my first year really getting serious about lawn maintenance, and I started with 7 weekly clients and a few as needed. This being said, saving time was not really an issue for me. I cut all of mine on one day and do mulch and other stuff around that.

Since this is my situation I bought a Toro belt drive. I wish I had a hydro, but money wasn't that plentiful. The only way the hydro is going to really cost less is if you are running a full schedule and need to really safe time.

[ed2hess]

On the same mower, Say a 36" with a 15HP motor would a Belt Drive take less power from the motor and therefore make more power available to the blades or is it visa versa?

That is an interesting question...is hydro drive more efficient than a belt drive system? I would guess the hydro could be more efficient because there is more engery lost due to slippage in the belt drive.

[leejp]

That is an interesting question...is hydro drive more efficient than a belt drive system? I would guess the hydro could be more efficient because there is more engery lost due to slippage in the belt drive.

I asked the question because it occurred to me that there are many factors that contribute to the overall drive train efficiency. Common sense tells me that the hydrostatics are more efficient at torque conversion since there are no/less friction/gear/belt slip losses but they are generally heavier.

If indeed the Hydro is more efficient, chalk up another advantage for the Hydro. More power delivered to the cutting blades.