Hi GregR
Stay away from the 216's, motor is the best but the gearboxes are not up to hard work. Ok for manicured big lawns with long straight cuts but they break too easily on anything else
Glad you popped that up Norm, as although I detected long ago that the 216's don't have much cred here for their SP systems - I wondered how that meshes with 99% of contractors using them.
My property is definitely not a manicured lawn nor full of nice straight cuts - sloped and winding around all kinds of hazards and obstacles.
FWIW I've been keeping an eye out for a Victa Super 24 - but they rarely pop up. The 550's have been good though so if nothing else comes along I am sure they'll serve me well.
Do you have any thoughts on the SP system for the HRX217 - which I believe is a hydrostatic drive. I know a few of the mower contractor forums thought this was a terrific mower - albeit after you changed the bar blade out for a carrier disc+swing backs. Bummer they cheaped out with the GVC engine on these - though I've found them ok over many yrs use (have a 19" Honda Buffalo Buck thats never had any issues).
