What Lawn Tractor?

[CEE]

I am looking to get a lawn tractor with a cut width of 42 to 46", but it seems like some things have changed since I last looked at them closely. What is the difference in a "hydrostatic" transmission vs an "autodrive"?

I've been comparing the White, Murray, Troybilt & Yardman machines, but am having trouble figuring what would be the best buy as far as longevity vs maintenance. Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[fluffyone]

I think autodrive is a term used in England for self propelled push mowers. Not sure, but I may be right.
Good Luck. I would look at ZRT if I were you. they pretty neat.

 

[Bird]

I'm not sure what "autodrive" is, but I used to have a Cub Cadet lawn tractor they called "auto gear". It had a rocker pedal like a lot of hydrostatics and no clutch. You selected the gear you wanted with a gear shift lever, then controlled the forward and backward movements and speed within that gear with the rocker pedal. It was better than a straight geared model, but not as good as the hydrostatic, and it was about $300 cheaper in 1995. In the future, I'd spend the $300 for the hydrostatic.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

White & Yard Machines are both owned by the same company so they are probably mechanically very similar units. They also make Cub Cadets, which is their premium line, the MTD Yard Machines is their value line. Some people think a Yard Machine is a Cub or a White is a Cub, but there are differences even if they look similar. As you go up their quality scale the thicknesses of the metal gets heavier, drive lines go from belt to shaft, engine quality goes up even if horsepower does not, etc.

It is my understanding that White is most often sold by Cub dealers as lower priced alternative to the Cub. The advantage of buying from a dealer is that you know they have parts and can fix it, the disadvantage is the price of the White might be a bit higher if it is purchased from a small dealer versus a big box store.

Murray is a value priced product and probably would be the equivalent of the "MTD Yard Machine" line of products. It would probably be lightly built, perhaps lighter than a similar White and about equal to a Yard Machine.

I don't know much about Troybuilt anymore, they used to be built like tanks, nothing pretty but stout and reliable. I think the company may have changed ownership becuase there are reports that the quality is way down, but I have no first hand experience.

 

[rosey]

I had a JD LX277 hydro before moving up to my Kubota sub-compact tractor and it was an excellent machine...great cut but not cheap...high resale value.

 

[JayC]

I've put on close to 100 hours now on a 2001 Cub Cadet 2166. It has been a really good lawn tractor. I love how easy it is to use. It is a 16 hp hydro tractor with a Kohler engine. It also has a drive shaft. Before the 2166, I was using a 2133 (?) with the AutoGear system. (13 hp Kohler) It was a novel idea, but I thought it was kinda jerky when cutting with it. The hydro is far better.

 

[frank_f15]

BELEIVE it or not i have had excellent service from my craftsman GARDEN TRACTOR going on its 12th season and nary a problem, other than belts and blades(which is normal) i did have to put a new starte in it a few years ago.if i was to be shopping now i would look at the sears and the cub cadet, only because they are more in the price range i want to pay for garden tractor, don't think the sears offers a hydro, but not sure about that. and i would defenitly want hydro this time around

 

[Bob_Skurka]

We've got over 550 hours on our Cub Cadet 1862 with no mechanical repairs. Absolutely no repairs to the Kohler power plant or the drive train.

However, based on the question asked, I presumed you wanted to know about the lower priced hardware store type garden tractors not the premium brands, and I tried to answer you that way.

If you want the BEST garden tractors, then look to Steiner and Ventrac for overall performance and features. Giere Mountaineer II is also on the top of my list. Of the 3 brands, the Mountaineer is over $7000 for a mid size lawn tractor, the Ventracs and Steiners go for double that price. Other premium brands are Deere & Cub, I have seen some Deers fail in my neighborhood on hills where Cubs had no problems; however I think it is fair to say that the better Deere lawn tractors are excellent machines.

 

[Poncho]

frank f15.... my Craftsmen 50" is Hydro... it also has the kohler 23 hp water cooled engine /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[frank_f15]

thanks PONCHO, i must have missed that. when i need to replace my current one i will have to check that one out, but 23 hp fro a GT seems a bit much, but i do like hydro! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif approximate cost of that unit if u don't mind

 

[Poncho]

frank F15.... retail was $3699.99 (sticker still under seat). I watched/drooled over it for about a year, waited for it to go on clearance, new the Section Manager (additional discount) and picked it up for $2300. It's a Limited Edition GT 2300.... kinda champagne in color. It's an investment that every time after I use it and it cools down... it gets a wash job and then blow dry with a Craftsmen gas blower.

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( and picked it up for $2300 )</font>

iwas gone for a few days, but that is one heck of a price for that GT. hope u have as good luck with it , as i have had with mine.

 

[rgoodearl]

All types of drive use belts to transfer power from the engine back to the transmission. The difference is either in the belt travel or the transmission itself.

A Hydrostatic transmission is a transmission that is filled to most of its capacity with Oil. For current models, a 10W-40 oil is being used, but can be serviced with 20W-50. This unit is controlled by some sort of lever that manipulates hydraulic pumps within the transmission. The further in either direction the lever is moved, the harder the pumps operate. These pumps then control the speed at which the drive wheels rotate.

Transmatic drives are similar to a manual shift automobile. To drive, you have to put the unit into gear and release the clutch. It is not necessary to accelerate through gears like a manual car, simply select any gear and operate at that speed. These units use a combination of belts and tensioners to operate the drive system.

For AutoDrive units, the drive system is set up to operate similar to that of an automatic car. An operator simply needs to put a unit into forward or reverse and then press the accelerator until the desired speed is reached. This unit uses a different combination of belts and tensioners that do not require the operator to use a clutch.