Riding mowers

[larjoranj]

After 21 years my Poulan riding mower has crapped out and I'll be getting a new mower soon. I've never had an automatic or hydrostatic, only the cheapies that you let off the clutch to go and step on it to stop. There are very few choices like that now. Most have a gas pedal now. My question is - how stiff and difficult to press are these gas pedals? When I sit on one in Home Depot or Lowes and depress the pedal they are very stiff and difficult to press. Is this just because they aren't running? When the engine is running are they easier to depress? If they take more pressure than a car gas pedal then I'll probably get a cheapie again with a clutch.

 

[GAVol]

After 21 years my Poulan riding mower has crapped out and I'll be getting a new mower soon. I've never had an automatic or hydrostatic, only the cheapies that you let off the clutch to go and step on it to stop. There are very few choices like that now. Most have a gas pedal now. My question is - how stiff and difficult to press are these gas pedals? When I sit on one in Home Depot or Lowes and depress the pedal they are very stiff and difficult to press. Is this just because they aren't running? When the engine is running are they easier to depress? If they take more pressure than a car gas pedal then I'll probably get a cheapie again with a clutch.

I’ve got a Husqvarna and the resistance is minimal. Just not a big deal at all.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

My grandma got a cub cadet with a gas pedal and I wasn't a fan. Made my foot sore. Don't know why they all started doing that...what was wrong with just having gears 1-6.

 

[Vol Farmer]

After 21 years my Poulan riding mower has crapped out and I'll be getting a new mower soon. I've never had an automatic or hydrostatic, only the cheapies that you let off the clutch to go and step on it to stop. There are very few choices like that now. Most have a gas pedal now. My question is - how stiff and difficult to press are these gas pedals? When I sit on one in Home Depot or Lowes and depress the pedal they are very stiff and difficult to press. Is this just because they aren't running? When the engine is running are they easier to depress? If they take more pressure than a car gas pedal then I'll probably get a cheapie again with a clutch.

Ever considered a Zero Turn ?

 

[Toujours Pret]

After 21 years my Poulan riding mower has crapped out and I'll be getting a new mower soon. I've never had an automatic or hydrostatic, only the cheapies that you let off the clutch to go and step on it to stop. There are very few choices like that now. Most have a gas pedal now. My question is - how stiff and difficult to press are these gas pedals? When I sit on one in Home Depot or Lowes and depress the pedal they are very stiff and difficult to press. Is this just because they aren't running? When the engine is running are they easier to depress? If they take more pressure than a car gas pedal then I'll probably get a cheapie again with a clutch.

You may want to look at a dealer of your brand of choice as opposed to a big box, they'll have more models to check out and better financing if that's a concern.

Be wary of the cheap stuff with the clutch, they'll almost always have a single cylinder with a splash oiler and aren't well built.

 

[Toujours Pret]

Most hydrostatics will have a "cruise control" lever somewhere that will lock the pedal in place until you hit the brake

 

[larjoranj]

Ever considered a Zero Turn ?

I have .6 acre. Takes me about 75 minutes with my old Poulan 36" cut. Zero turn seems like overkill. Too expensive and wouldn't fit in my current storage shed. I'll probably get a 42" cut this time though.

 

[Grand Vol]

I have .6 acre. Takes me about 75 minutes with my old Poulan 36" cut. Zero turn seems like overkill. Too expensive and wouldn't fit in my current storage shed. I'll probably get a 42" cut this time though.

No such thing as overkill lol

 

[Tin Man]

I have only 1/2 acre and love my electric Cub Cadet 30.

 

[Vol Farmer]

I have .6 acre. Takes me about 75 minutes with my old Poulan 36" cut. Zero turn seems like overkill. Too expensive and wouldn't fit in my current storage shed. I'll probably get a 42" cut this time though.

Evan a 42-48 zero turn would cut your mowing time in half

 

[Vol Farmer]

I mow almost 5 acres with a Bad Boy Renegade with a 61” deck. About 3-3.5 hours. Had it two seasons and I love it

 

[GAVol]

Evan a 42-48 zero turn would cut your mowing time in half

Half the reason I mow grass is to be somewhere where I can’t hear anybody.

 

[Tin Man]

Wear ear protection when using power tools. There’s no expectation for you to hear anyone else.

 

[utchs81]

ZTR s are the way to go. After a short learning curve they make mowing fun. Only issue is if you use lawn tractor for other things i.e. pulling trailers they're not intended for that function.

 

[the_todd]

I have .6 acre. Takes me about 75 minutes with my old Poulan 36" cut. Zero turn seems like overkill. Too expensive and wouldn't fit in my current storage shed. I'll probably get a 42" cut this time though.

I have half an acre & i use a 42” zero turn. Takes me about 30 mns, & thats with me trying to put the lines/checkerboard in it

 

[OrangeTsar]

Here’s a nice German song celebrating a man’s favorite lawn mower (good rocking tune)

 

[jp1]

While I have a zero turn, and love it, I would consider the contour of the land if you go that route. Obviously any mower can be dangerous on grade, however the zero turn can turn into a hairy ride quickly.

The main concern of yours seems to be pressure to make the mower go. Obviously, the zero turn takes that out of the equation, however as mentioned cruise is a feature on most mowers now. Good luck with your purchase!

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Half the reason I mow grass is to be somewhere where I can’t hear anybody.

When I was a teenager, my chore was to mow, and during that I would vent my anger yelling out cuss words at full volume.

It was a good bit later that Mom told me, You know, we could hear you the whole time.

 

[utchs81]

When I was a teenager, my chore was to mow, and during that I would vent my anger yelling out cuss words at full volume.

It was a good bit later that Mom told me, You know, we could hear you the whole time.

Everybody just thought it was your Tourettes right

 

[ruger1234]

Cub Cadet. The 1-6 is a distant memory as I mow over uneven ground slowing or accelerating as the need requires. RIP the old simplicity

 

[Firebirdparts]

To answer you original question, they are going to be harder to press when they’re running. I’ve had hand and foot control and I am okay either way. Both have their advantages. Durability is not great. On my current mower I’ve replaced the hydro twice and it’s not old.

My yard is very steep.

 

[malinoisvol]

I really like my JD X350 with the 48" Accel deck. Was mowing 2 acres and now I'm down to about 1/3 acre.

 

[Smokey X]

I have .6 acre. Takes me about 75 minutes with my old Poulan 36" cut. Zero turn seems like overkill. Too expensive and wouldn't fit in my current storage shed. I'll probably get a 42" cut this time though.

The obvious problem is that you need a bigger shed

 

[DancingOutlaw]

Half the reason I mow grass is to be somewhere where I can’t hear anybody.

My dad installed two insulated cup holders on his mower on gimbals so they wouldn’t spill on hills. He would only stop around the pool house to refill on beer. Man had it figured out.

 

[JustFunnN'Orange]

Ever considered a Zero Turn ?

This....... If you ever try a zero turn, you'll throw rocks at a conventional riding mower!!