Gear or Hydro Walkbehind

[Mr DanO]

I am just starting to look into buying my first mower and was wondering what I would be better off starting with. A gear drive or hydro? I like the idea of a floating deck over a fixed one. Also has anybody been using the Honda 4 stroke trimmers, if so how are they?

 

[locutus]

Dano, If you can afford it, go with a hydro. You wont regret it. Belt drives have their place, I know because I have one. They are easier on the budget, but harder on the body. To turn a belt drive without divoting the turf you kind of have to learn to fake a zero turn by nuetral locking one side of the mower and pulling backward on that side, while letting the other side power around. I know this sounds a little complicated, but with practice can be easily mastered.

 

[Mr DanO]

Thanks , I was looking at the hydro's from differant dealers then the toro dealer told me I should go with the belt drive. He said it would do a better job, and just as ez to run. Where all the others said to go with the hydro.

 

[Royalslover]

The only salesman who would try to sell you a belt drive either a. has never mowed or b. has some stock he desperatly needs to get rid of. Even if you can't afford a hydro find a way to get one anyway. They can be mastered but anyone who says they are as easy as hydros has something to sell.

 

[Wesley's Lawn]

Get the hydro if you can afford it, belts suck.

 

[amw]

maybe the dealer has a better profit margin in the belt drive?

I use hydros myself, and the only belt drive ive had i hated! in the mornings it would slip allot....

but i know a few other guys that haven't really had to many probs. with them...

but i would go for the hydro!

 

[metro-hp_48]

In the last belt vs. hydro thread (the one a few weeks ago, not the other day) if I remember right, no eXmark belt drives had any slipping belts from wet conditions. (incase someone can only afford a belt drive, and thinks there would be such a prob. in that area)
Hyrdos are nice.

 

[kels]

no eXmark belt drives had any slipping belts from wet conditions

i must have had the only metro that slipped

 

[metro-hp_48]

I guess so. Was surprised, in a way, more didn't. After all the other's didn't though, now I'm surprized your's did.

 

[KathysLGC]

I went from a belt to hydro and whoa..... Hydro is so much more productive. Now i have never used a gear drive so i can't compare a hydro to that but there is no comparison from a belt to a hydro.