which self-propelled system do YOU prefer?

[iahawk]

Personal pace..starting season 12 with the mower...mow 40-45 hrs per year and it's been flawlless. Very easy to use.

Plan on replacing with Super Recycler w/ Honda motor...someday...but current Toro has been a great value for the $380 it cost back in '06.

 

[Rab6715]

Toro personal pace is ok. I have one that is 6 years old. I think the most durable/reliable 21" mower transmission is Toro's 3 speed.

 

[jeepman3071]

I will say that I prefer front drive mowers for trim work, such as around trees and under fences. Much easier to just lift the front end up a bit when maneuvering. For a nice open piece of land, rear wheel drive all day though.

 

[DriveHard]

Another fan of the durability and simplicity of the Snapper mower. I love mine!

 

[AnthemBassMan]

Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
I have an older John Deere 14SB with the 5 speed trans. Usually 3rd gear is about as fast as I'll go on it. Not a fan of the Personal Pace style, but that's just me.

L8R,
Matt


Which style?



The Personal Pace systems where it changes the mower speed depending on how much pressure you put on the handle. It may work great if you have long flat, straight yards, but mine isn't any of those.

L8R,
Matt


Ahh. Is it silver deck with the Kawasaki? I have an old 12pb with the Lawnboy engine.


Yep! Silver decked John Deere 14SB with the 5hp Kawasaki engine. This engine is a torque beast even for its age. Nice 12PB. One thing I miss is the smell of 2-stroke oil. At least I still have my weed eater for that!

L8R,
Matt

 

[gman2304]

I have a JD 14sb and a JD JX75 green deck, both with the Kawasaki 150V engines and Tufftorq 5 speed transmissions. They cost over $600 each 20 years ago. I got the JX75 off CL for $70 and the 14sb off CL for $30. The JX75 has the optional oil filter. The rear wheel drive is perfect for my hilly yard. You can creep around in 1st or jog in 5th.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
I have a JD 14sb and a JD JX75 green deck, both with the Kawasaki 150V engines and Tufftorq 5 speed transmissions. They cost over $600 each 20 years ago. I got the JX75 off CL for $70 and the 14sb off CL for $30. The JX75 has the optional oil filter. The rear wheel drive is perfect for my hilly yard. You can creep around in 1st or jog in 5th.


Basically the same mower with a different paint job. These mowers are beasts and you got yourself a killer deal on both! I could get the filter kit for mine too, but it's around $65-$70.

L8R,
Matt

 

[Audioquest]

Had a Honda HRA-215 with the three speed, shaft-drive and now I have a Toro-Honda with the Personal Pace belt drive. Prefer the Personal Pace because the power comes on smoother whereas the Honda would lurch forward once the drive was engaged.