does anyone still mow with the gear driven mowers?

[bean 85]

I have a 32" mower in good shape and was going to use it for occassional use. do any of you still use the old gear driven mowers on a regular basis?

[64s 83]

Every week for the last four years. I find they work just as well as the 'newer' decks.

[specialwheelhorse 174]

You got that right. I mow at least an acre around here every time it needs it.

Have for years. Couple shots of grease and were off and running.

So does my neighbor. Have other decks and tractors but my 32 incher gets

around almost anything and doesn't throw grass all over everything.

Wouldn't have it any other way. Im not setting speed records and I really enjoy

seat time. And a tank of gas will wear me out and cut more yard than you can imagine.

Enjoying grass in Texas JIM RODGERS

[bean 85]

thanks for the replies, gents. that makes me feel better about keeping the 32" deck. :)

[bowtiebutler956 650]

I don't have one, but if I did I would be proud to mow with it.

Matt :flags-texas:

[squonk 43,821]

I'm looking for another "good"32 incher myself. I restored the one for the 704 and don't want to wreck it. So far all I've found have been rotted or the cross shaft has worn out where the bearings ride and the shaft has too much side play making the gears bang. Gear decks are noisy enough with out that noise too.

[littleredrider 409]

I have one for the ranger. After sharpening the blades it mows nice. The cheapo throttle cable wouldn't stay locked, so engine kept dropping Rs resulting in a not so nice cut. My yard isn't very big, so got a free push mower with a bagger in less I decide to hook it back up. Got a 36" one too that needs some attention.

[bean 85]

Gear decks are noisy enough with out that noise too.

I did notice that there is a higher level of noise with the 32" deck, compared to the modern spindle type decks.

[SousaKerry 503]

I got one on the 655 mowed with it several times last year with good results i am currently restoring it new bearings and going to powdercoat the deck shell.

[Don1977 605]

I have been mowing with a C-120 with a 48" deck for the last 35 years.

[sscotsman 186]

I think the noise of these decks is over-rated..

or perhaps older, worn out decks get noisy with age..

but my experience, which, granted, consists of only one deck!

(a 1964 model RM-364 deck) the thing is dead-quiet..

when the blades are spinning, the only noise I hear is similar to the whirring of a fan..

I hear the blades spinning through the air, like a fan, but nothing else from the deck..

I dont think the gears make any noise at all!

In fact, with my recent deck problems:

The only way I could tell if the blades had stopped spinning was to look back and see if the grass wasnt being cut.

the noise of the engine completely overwhelms any noise from the deck..

I consider the deck to be remarkably quiet..

So, my point is, they arent all loud!

and when they were new, they probably werent loud at all..

the noise just must to due to age, and gear wear, for the loud ones..

could be a useful test! when looking at a used deck..

Scot