Sulkys with belt drive?

[slippednfell]

Based on excellent advice here, I've decided to add a sulky to my WB when I purchase it. I talked to a commercial equipment dealer on the phone, and he didn't think that sulkys work as well on belts as they do on hydros. I've seen some posts here, however, that indicate this might not always be true. What's been your experience towing a sulky behind a belt drive? For what it's worth, I weigh about 185, and I'm thinking about a 36" fixed deck, belt drive Scag WB. I want to buy professional, quality equipment, but I don't want to break the bank doing it. Just as important, though, I want the equipment to work right and be compatible. Any thoughts you might have would be very helpful.

 

[John Gamba]

Any trailering two wheel sulky should do.
John

 

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Any trailering two wheel sulky should do.
John

Yes..... and, if you're not too heavy o ) a single wheel will work fine, too. Keep in mind, you're probably going to average 4 to 5 mph with the velky not 7. However, it's much faster than walking at 3 to 3.5 mph and much less tiring.
DP

 

[Tvov]

Belt drives work fine with sulkys. The biggest advantage with the hydros is being able to go into reverse.

We have been using sulkys for years now with our belt drives, and they work fine. We haven't had any problems with transmissions, belts, engines, whatever.

Remember, belt drives with sulkys were around long before hydros were even a glint in someone's eye.

 

[MIMAINTAINCE]

I have a 54" bobcat belt drive 17 hp kawasaki and it pulls me fine on a 2 wheel sulky. I weigh 150lbs though, so it may vary for you. Like the others said, only downfall is you cant back up w/ sulky on belt drive. Other than that, works great

 

[slippednfell]

Mimaintaince, you said that you can't back up with a sulky on belt drive. Do you mean that you can't back up at all, or do you mean that backing up is difficult? Just wondering.

 

[charlies]

with most small belt driven units, you pretty much have to pull them along to get them going in reverse, so you would have to step off the sulky and pull.

have you actually tried a belt driven versus a hydro at the dealer? he/she would be glad to let you try, and show you how to work 'em if you don't know. sorry if i'm not helping.

 

[slippednfell]

Charlies -- You're helping a lot, you really are. To answer your question about test driving a belt versus a hydro at the dealer, I haven't done that yet. Until I do, reading the insights of vets like yourself is the next best thing. Thanks again for your comments. (By the way, it seems like maybe you think the hydros are worth the extra money. Is this true, or am I reading too much into your post?)

 

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by slippednfell
[Bit seems like maybe you think the hydros are worth the extra money. Is this true, or am I reading too much into your post?) [/B]

A good hydro which will really bring out the "reason for buying one" is about twice the price of a belt drive machine. In other words, you are looking at 5k to 6k compared to 2.5k or 3k. Yes, you can get a 4K hydro, but it will short on the speed and power you want "from the money you are spending".
If you "have" the money get the hydro, otherwise a toro, bobcat, exmark or simliar simple belt drive is the better deal.
Here's a comparison of a standard belt WB and a highend Hydro WB. As you can see the Hydro is much bigger and beefier. One is a toy an the other is a tank.

 

[charlies]

i have both and would much rather drive the hydros. for me the lines are straighter and the turns are cleaner. but i have only used the belt driven models maybe 200 hours total while i have more than 5000 on hydros. that could be why they look better with a hydro.

btw, i work in the office almost exclusively now. my brother who also owns the business is the field manager, i'm the office manager.