Which do you prefer and why?
 

Since I bought my 73 in the spring of '20 and have only had a hydrostat tractor up until that point. I got to thinking and wondering what people prefer on this forum, a gear drive or hydrostatic tractor, and why?

Thanks

I've been running hydro cubs since the late 60's starting with a 105 my dad bought from a neighbor ,still running with no issues at all with the hydro. It's plowed gardens,plowed snow ,rototilled,cultivated & mowed acres of grass by myself and my sons cutting lawns in their teens ! I like the hydros because you have constant speed control,every manual tractor I've had usually needed a clutch at some point, or wanted to jump out of gear, and for mowing it always seemed 1st gear was to slow and second to fast ,just my thought but I like the hydro's !:beerchug:

I have both just because. They played around with gear ratios trying to find the sweet spot. My 122 indeed is too slow in first and too fast in second for mowing.

Yep, the gear drive is either too slow or too fast between 1st and 2nd during mowing duty which is why the hydro is my baby! Otherwise, I'm a happy cruiser around the yard!

Same here with my 106, but I've gotten used to using the gear drive to mow. Never got the chance to mow with a hydro as my 147's rear tire went flat before I could finish setting up the deck.

My collection is even between the 2. I personally like them both. The hydro is nice to cruise around with and easy to use, but I also enjoy shifting gears with a gear drive.

I have both - the 169 and the 126. I guess I'm the odd man out here as I prefer the gear drive. I like being able to clutch and slow down around a tree and the depress the clutch and immediately resume my cruising altitude.

For me it boils down to personal preference as I can't speak to one being superior to the other mechanically but I'll take the gear drive every time.

Best,
Jim

As can be seen from my list, I have both.
I'll take the hydro everyday. I really prefer the foot controlled models over the hand control but I'll take either over the gear.
I like the ease and quickness of controlling the hydro over the gear. I can go from forward to reverse and back without working the clutch and maybe the brake if I'm pointing down hill.
Hydro for me because of overall ease of use.
Thanks.

I have a couple Hydros 1862 and a 125. Also a 124. I don't know that I
can pick one I prefer because I really like think they are both great.
I do find however that I tend to go to the hydro. Had not really thought
about it till this thread. Really like to be able to go real slow at times
and the hydro gives me that without riding the clutch on the 124.
Couple years back I had the option of buying the 124 or 5 and I believe
it was Saturn who advised me to buy both. Wise man, I did just that
and have never regretted it. Love having both.

Ken

My CC is Hydro but my go-to mower is a Craftsman LT4000 6 speed. I much prefer the gear drive. I've been mowing with this same unit since I bought it new 28 years ago.

Gear drive. Dad had a Massey 12 hydro. Thing constantly got faster and faster as you drove. We made a block stop for the lever. Hydro is an accident waiting to happen that can't be repaired.