Walk Behind Mowers

justjeepin86

justjeepin86

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
I have a pretty crappy lot at my house to mow. Pretty uneven and hilly. I have a large side hill to mow. From what i gather, a walk behind is a good option. My main question is whether to look at hydro or belt drive for side hilling. Am I right that a walk behind is good for hilly terrain. Also, can you use a velkie on either type? I have an old heavy Gravely that I use now and want something different.

Edit: I would be looking for a 48" most likely.
 
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My Girlfriend has an issue with a holey dog yard and we've thought about this one: CubCadet - CC 800 I'd be interested in what experience people have with that or what they recommend you.
 
Fabrik8 said:
I just clicked on the link, pretty cool mower. Why that one instead of the CC760 with electric start and larger engine?
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Well I didn't see that other one but they both have electric start. I have also seen that one on sale for $999 and when I was researching this summer I don't remember coming across the other model. Personally I want a walk behind and so does she. We both hate the tinny wheel crap that gets stuck in the smallest hole.....
 
Fabrik8 said:
I just clicked on the link, pretty cool mower. Why that one instead of the CC760 with electric start and larger engine?
Click to expand...
800>760, duh!
 
I had a JD 48" gear driven walk behind in the past. I don't recall any particular issues with hills related to the mower type, but it was difficult to control while trying to turn on sidehills. When turning, you are disengaging the drive, and, after a certain amount of lever travel, engaging the brake. If you didn't pull it far enough, it would start to roll back on that side, and if you pulled too far too fast, it would apply the brake more than you wanted. I believe the hydro just reduces the flow speed in that scenario, so it should be more controlled.

Having said that, I've cut some crazy stuff with a zero turn. You just have to understand the limitations. I find the zero turn to be more stable than a garden tractor because of the wider track width. But it can also get away from you on a sidehill because of lack of control on the frontend, or downhill because of weight transfer and lack of traction for slowing yourself down. You just have to be intelligent enough to know what you're doing. And remember kids, people dumber than you do it every day!
 
I don't know much about cutting grass but what I do know is that a stander tracks a hill better than a walk behind or a rider. I'm assuming due to a better ability to adjust your body weight. Walk behinds tend to loose traction much quicker because of the lack of weight on the rear wheels. Riders suck on steep stuff. Look at the Toro grandstands or any of the Wright stuff. I run all Toro right now and have had 0 issues.



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Hydro is a lot easier to maneuver.
 
My rider works fine. It's heavy. I have to sit on the uphill side fender to not lose traction. Was the same with the old Ford mower I used last year. I used my uncles Bob cat zero turn to mow a couple times. No dice. If it's the least bit wet, it slides all over the place. Sometimes you have to mow when it's damp. Most of the consensus on lawnsite says that stand ons are worse than walk behinds. But, that's why I ask here. Different opinions and experiences.

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Go with either a Wright or JD stand-up model (they're both made by Wright). You'll have a better mower all the way. If you're set on a walk behind, get hydro with electric start.
 
They do look nice. It seems the operator sits farther forward on them compared to others which would make them climb better. I doubt that I can find one that I can afford though. It might have to be a walk behind.

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I was just about to say, I got a hydro walkbehind thay cuts great.
 
I've used both drives. The belt drive is worse on side hills and really sucks when the belts are wet. The hydro is much nicer but costs a bunch more. To me, the difference is worth it. I preferred walking over using a velkie, but I'm not lazy. The velkie is especially bad on rough terrain.
 
Well, I guess I should update this. I demo'd a Wright Stander and I didn't feel that it would work for my situation. I borrowed a belt drive walk behind from a friend to mow my hill and it was killer. Forward two weeks, and this came home with me Friday. 48" Exmark, 19HP Kawi, hydro. :rockon:

Exmark.jpg
 
My girlfriend needs something like that to mow her yard. How do they do with small pot holes that dogs dig? LOL!
 
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