Thread: Ride On HP

I've got one of the last Yardman 42's with a Kholer 13.5kw engine. ....equates to close to 30hp.

I think the hydrostatic drive uses up some power , but the blades are a pretty heavy item each as well to spin around.

It can do some pretty heavy work though.

It will easily wheelstand if you rock from reverse to forward.

More horsepower should mean it will cut just as well in thicker/longer grass, while going faster. Also, increasing power may reflect the increasing weight of the population. So if you are light, cut your lawn while it is short, and are already cutting as fast as you care to go, there should be no need to look for more power.

Having said this, I suspect that a lot of the increase may simply reflect that $/hp has been dropping, and if we increase the key number for buyers rather than drop the price, the profit margin is preserved, or rather for the same % margin, the numbers are bigger. A lot of buyers will automatically assume that bigger is better when looking at power numbers!

We have Toros at work in a range of sizes.
The new one is a beast.4 wheel drive and steer,
They do a good job,and easy to maintain.
Andrew

I've had a gutfull of ride-on mowers ... SO I bought a ****ty old tractor and 5 foot slasher (if I could find a 6 foot slasher/flail/finishing mower that would be even better). Best decision I ever made. You can run over the majority of our yard in a few hours.... They don't break ... you can buy a milion and one attachments for them.

But the biggest bonus I've found is for hayfever sufferers. Rather than sitting in the cloud of dust, grass and pollen, you sit 8/10 foot forward of the slasher that throws behind you.

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

For 18 years I was regularly using a 11hp YardMan ride on which I bought second hand in 93. I still use it today in an area where there are lots of sticks and stones. Six years ago I bought a 19hp John Deere...nuff said..which now I'm forced to replace. I'm currently tossing up between a Toro, 24hp twin cyl. and a Walker 14hp. Do ride on's really need such big engines,and if so why ? All are 42", except the YardMan which is 38"
.W.

I think you will find that one of the main reasons for the need for more horsepower is that a lot of the mowers have multiple blades/cutting heads, and have the ability to mulch, which requires the blades to spin at far more rpm.

Cheers, Mick.