GT Manual Trans Advice

In the market for a true garden tractor. Something with some weight I can mow the lawn yet pull my small bass boat, utility trailer, wood trailer, etc. around the property.

I think I've found what I am looking for in Wheel Horse. They are solid builds with an excellent reputation and can do all that I am asking and it's in my price range. I also love its hitch setup, exactly what I am looking for.

Here's my question and where I am looking for advice. Manual transmission or hydro? Is having a manual transmission and trying to do what am doing going to be a real PITA and regret? Or is it really not that bad? I've never owned a manual transmission anything, but have driven manual trans cars and ATVs. Current riding mower is a hydro.

Mowing the front is pretty straight forward, not many obstacles but a couple. My yard has a few more obstacles with swing sets, trees, etc...I also haul my boat from the back to the front and back in my driveway which is on a very slight pitch. Of course hydro is more $$ and there are not as many around. I am seeing many more manual transmissions in a sweet price range anywhere from $400 - $1000 depending on model and condition.

Thanks in advance!

 

Manual IMO. I've been using a 312-8 for years. It pulls a fully loaded 4x8 trailer of oak no problem at all. I don't mow with it though. The deck that was on it had rusted through and been repaired by my BIL. I tried a few times w/ it but the quality of the cut wasn't on par with my Simplicity rider so I just pulled the deck and use it as a tractor.

The manual trans won't be an issue. You just select what you want, release clutch pedal and go. If you want faster, stop, change gears and go. It isn't something to be done while on the move like in a car/truck/motorcycle etc.

 

Are kabota is Manuel. Never an issue. Use it to pull logs and a big pull behind mower deck. 30+ years on the factory clutch.

 

I just picked up a 312-8 recently for the exact reasons you stated. So far i have no complaints these things are built way better than anything youll find today.

 

I have a John Deere X530 with a hydro transmission. The former JD garden tractor had a manual transmission. I have had no trouble with the hydro on the X530 and I pull a JD 15CF cart. Full of fresh oak it pulls just fine.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies, much appreciated!!!

 

Found some real beauties with good prices but man they are far away. How far is too far, especially with gas prices.....?!?!? Drives me nuts because its a good deal but man it's a whole to drive out and back.

 

For a nice one, that will be used for years to come, I'd say about 2 hours (for me).
Not everyone's cup of joe but there is an annual Wheel Horse show just a couple miles from me.

 

It depends on what you are going to do with it. I can't imagine going back to a manual on my anything but flat and full of trees property.

 

I would prefer manual over hydro on a older machine.

 

I was watching for Wheel Horses when I found my 185 Hydra with snowblower. Now there's a chance on getting my friend's JD 180XL with a smashed hood. I will use it for moving wood back and forth to backyard.
Good luck with the search.

 

I have an old Wheelhorse 704 (maybe) with plow in my small shed that I figured I would someday get back up and running. For now it is just a playground for field mice!

 

FIFY

 

The older GT's with manual trany ( full gear drive) are great, there is no clutch plate to wear out , you are just detensioning the drive belt when you step on the clutch pedal. just need to come to a full stop before shifting. It is a bit of a hassel if you do to a lot of back & forth manuvering vs a hydro. There were great hydros back in the day ( Simplicity/ Sunstrand for one) but more current items are ify after apx 150 Hours. Then there are the disc drive ones , 50/50 on those. Wheel Horse, Bolens, Simplicity there are more from the 60's -70's time period. The gear drives do not suffer from the power loss of hydros a 7 or 8hp gear unit will do everything and more than a current 18-25hp hydro and no warnings about ground contact implements either. I still have a Simplicity 728 with snow blower, mower deck gave up body wise. I could knock down tall thick stuff in 1st gear that my current JD hydro can't even touch, and do it while climbing a 30 deg incline to boot.

 

Hahaha, so true!

 

Newest addition to the wood hauling crew "Little Red"


Big and Little Red

 

Nice find! That should have the onan engine in it I hear theyre powerful but thirsty.

 

I've never seen a Toro like that, looks stout!

 

Pretty big for a little red. Nice find.