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  #1  
Old 10-19-2021, 08:57 PM
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drglinski drglinski is offline
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Michigan
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Default 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
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(May 1970) 147 w/an IH spring assist, 48" deck, 42" blade, 1969 73, #2 trailer, 10" Brinly plow and (on loan) Dad's #2 tiller.
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  #2  
Old 10-19-2021, 09:34 PM
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athomas athomas is offline
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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 !
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  #3  
Old 10-20-2021, 11:10 AM
mortten mortten is offline
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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.
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Doug

Dad's 122 w/42" cast deck, spring assist, lights,weights, rear lift
1250 w/hydraulic lift, lights,weights, spring assist.
50C deck converted to an A with front wheels
44C deck converted to an A with front wheels.
QA-36A
42" blade
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  #4  
Old 10-20-2021, 08:39 PM
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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!
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Two 125's and a 124 all with 42" decks
Plow blade
#2 Cart
QA36 snowthower
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  #5  
Old 10-20-2021, 09:31 PM
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Cubcadet_107 Cubcadet_107 is offline
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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.
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'70 107 with k301 engine swap
'71 106 with 38" deck
'70 147R with factory replacement k321, 42" deck
'61 Original with 38" timed deck
'63 70 "pinkie"
1863 with 54" deck
'46 Farmall H, '50 Farmall Cub

105 x2 (parts)
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  #6  
Old 10-20-2021, 10:19 PM
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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
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  #7  
Old 10-21-2021, 03:31 PM
rwairforce rwairforce is offline
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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.
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Cubs: 71, 72, 127, 149, 1440, 2186 and 1864
John Deere 110 round fender
John Deere 140 H3
Sears: GTV16
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  #8  
Old 10-21-2021, 09:52 PM
West Valley G West Valley G is offline
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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
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Old 10-22-2021, 04:28 PM
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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.
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1980 IH CC 782
1957 Cub Lo-Boy
1993 Craftsman LT4000
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  #10  
Old 10-22-2021, 07:04 PM
Sc120sc Sc120sc is offline
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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.
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Cub Cadet is a premium line of outdoor power equipment, established in 1961 as part of International Harvester. During the 1960s, IH initiated an entirely new line of lawn and garden equipment aimed at the owners rural homes with large yards and private gardens. There were a wide variety of Cub Cadet branded and after-market attachments available; including mowers, blades, snow blowers, front loaders, plows, carts, etc. Cub Cadet advertising at that time harped on their thorough testing by "boys - acknowledged by many as the world's worst destructive force!". Cub Cadets became known for their dependability and rugged construction.

MTD Products, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio purchased the Cub Cadet brand from International Harvester in 1981. Cub Cadet was held as a wholly owned subsidiary for many years following this acquisition, which allowed them to operate independently. Recently, MTD has taken a more aggressive role and integrated Cub Cadet into its other lines of power equipment.

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