ken, you said you were going to disconnect the reverse switch that apparently prevents you from shifting into reverse without stopping the engine first. My guess is that the manufacturer included that feature for a good reason, and you'd be better off keeping it. Some gearboxes are stronger than others. If you made a gearbox that was a bit flimsy, and you found that when people shift into reverse with the engine revving and the clutch dragging, they pull the reverse idler shaft right out of the housing, destroying the housing in the process, what would you do? I suspect one of the things you'd consider is making them stop the engine before they shift into reverse.
I don't know that is why that reverse switch is there, but if it were my mower, I'd be leaving it there and being rather careful of the reverse gear.
