I take it the vmw was almost idling the whole way? Lol

After a few miles (or once the batteries are exhausted) the batteries are dead weight.
The same car, without the batteries will get better mileage.

Same thing with the hydro, it is dead weight and drag, :bigthink:, until it is time to back up, :bigeyes:

then the little wasted gas seems like nothing, compared to the convenience of instant reverse! :biggrin2:

I used single cylinder Kohlers in a variety of sizes from 10 hp to 16 hp to cut my yards for years. Almost twenty years ago, I got my first Mag 18. 46" cut vs. former 42" cut. First thing I noticed was it took a lot more gas to cut the same amount of grass as with the single cylinder. Later, got another 18 Mag and same thing with it.

Then later, got a couple of Vanguards and finally a Command and then another. Bottom line comparison, the Mag 18's are gas hogs compared to the single Kohlers, Commands and Vanguards!

Not a scientifically backed statement. No need for it because the difference was so great. No, there was nothing wrong with the carbs either. I checked that for a possible cause of the difference. The Magnums just eat gas!

The K321 Kohler in my 149 will go through 1 1/2 to 2 gal of fuel in 1 hour time. It's worse when you plow with a moldboard plow.

Uhhh....what? I've had several K321's and have NEVER come close to that, even at WOT riding the governor throwing snow. Heck, I don't even think I come close to that on a KT17 or M18. Do you have a hole in your tank? :bigthink::biggrin2:

IF Dale is talking about the 149 I'm thinking of.... it isn't a stock motor.

No disagreement with this!
But out of all the engines you listed, I've been around them too, and I don't think any of them have the torque rise that the Mag's have. They are one "gutsy" motor! :biggrin2:

AFAIC, I don't care how much fuel I burn. I don't look at fuel consumption as anything other than necessary. I have the tractors to do specific jobs. Some burn more fuel than others. I don't care. They work well. As a general rule, more fuel consumption means more power is made. Power gets work done and I don't have to use my back. :biggrin2:

I have the 16 Vanguard turning a 48" mower, an M18 and Command 18 both turning 54" mowers. None of them labor turning their respective decksizes so "torque" or "horsepower" has never been an issue with me on these mowers.

The thing I think about is where is that extra fuel going? Out the muffler or in the crankcase? The Magnums used about half again as much gas as the others which to me meant about $10/week or more on the amount of grass I cut during the growing season. That is 2-3 cases of cold beverage for me a month.:biggrin2:

it costs what 12-16 bucks to fill these cubs up, its worth every penny to me. puts a smile on my face and im having a great time.

Some of us are on a fixed income and obama hasn't factored in the inflated price of gasoline and other necessities in our SS monthly checks.:biggrin2: