I also forgot to mention the "KeyChoice" mow-in-reverse protection Toro put on the later tractors. New regs or common protocol in the lawn and garden world make the mower deck shut down when the operator shifts to reverse for safety. I think an electric clutch is probably the only was to acheived that safety feature.

A second key switch on the Toro tractors allows you to bypass the MIR protection and was dubbed "KeyChoice" by the marketing guys.

Steve

Regarding the foot control; it sure looks like that feller swiped that pedal assembly off of something, any idea what?

I can say from personal experience that the honda motors are pretty good. I work at a rental shop and the hondas are on all our new stuff and are the replacement motor of choice. These see alot of hours and although we maintain them joe contractor or the home owner really can take a tole on them. We are running the larger versions on our hydrolic post hole diggers and stump grinder. Again very reliable engines infarct some only have a recoil start on them. I will say that B&S have gone to complete crap. They do not run as smooth and are no where near as reliable. I am not a fan of them at all . There older motors where good but quality has dropped. I would have to say that robin,wisconson, honda, kohler, are about the best around IMO. Aside from regular oil changes the hondas only see air filter and spark plug changes and have served us very well. We have lost a few but overall I am impressed with them.

If it was my tractor though I would go Kohler. Ditch Witch whom we buy equipment from uses both honda and kohler engines. Our mini track loader and pipe puller both have kohler power plants. They seem to make the best power and really preform well. One funny thing is that after running em around the kohlers always seem to give off a backfire after turning them off. I can turn one off walking away and know exactly when I will here that loud "pop"!

Interesting thread. If I could have afforded it, I would have put one in the 520 pictured on their website under 520H Repower.

Seriously, that's my ex tractor, on my ex lawn, in front of the ex house. (Notice the barbell rear wheel weights)

I've had a few Honda engines, all were reliable, smooth, easy to start, etc. The only american engine to come close to their quality, in my opinion, is the K-Series Kohler.