Thats how they were built back then.
Jeffrey, You just cited the only reason I keep the Cub Crapette around (other than the fact SWMBO drives it)
1 hand control....forward,reverse,stop, left hand . Gas, deck height, key, right hand.
look ma, no feet!!
Also it doesn't have the annoying seat switch or the "only in forward" mower engagement.
Oh, one other issue
Most of the "new" tractors out there are made by MTD....Deere, Cub, Craftsman whoever, same crap, different paint job. I'd suggest looking for a restored or restorable older lawn tractor before I'd drop 2 grand or better on the new rider.
Maybe you could find another Peerless with a blown engine,,,,get a tranny that way??
and then wrote to the seller to tell him (which also pleased him ) so should be on the rails in about another 3 weeks (the time it usually takes to get stuff shipped USPS priority international) Also asked about the availability of the speakers that fit these locos and whether there would be any advantage in fitting a second one into the available extra mounting. He said he didn't think there would be much advantage in a 2nd speaker, but as I have other locos with that setup where it does seem to make a difference, I might give it a try later (gotta see/hear what programming with DCC does, that is, when the Aussie supplier of my power pack gets one to me).
That's what I like about mine. It can be almost totally controlled by hand, even a hand brake.
The chassis is modeled after a larger MTD but is almost a foot longer, uses the same engine MTD used back then (17hp Briggs and Stratton V twin). It uses for the most part MTD parts so it's been convenient to hang onto it as most of the parts are easily obtainable. The company that built it however went out of business many years ago. I did an internet search but the company doesn't even come up. The company was one that put it's name on other manufacturers equipment and substituted it's own parts. So even though the name on the tractor is Peerless it has nothing to do with Peerless/Tecumseh. There's no telling where this thing originally came from. The belt drive is very similar to MTD but has a partial shaft drive and a PTO. The tranny however was very proprietary and was only made for one year and at over fifteen years old working examples are very rare. An MTD Peerless tranny WILL NOT fit. Imagine that.Maybe you could find another Peerless with a blown engine,,,,get a tranny that way??
Even though I drove front wheel drive cars for many years I still like rear wheel drive. My father and I both have RWD vehicles. His oldest is a 1988 Fleetwood RV. Next is a 92 Ford F150 Lariat and an '08 Grand Marquis. Mine of course is my old 81 3/4 ton Dodge van. Ancient but still kicking. I like it because it can be easily repaired in the driveway. They don't build them like that anymore. Today you need a computer just to find out what's wrong and then degrees in electronics and mechanical engineering to know what you're even looking at. My last car (1994 Buick Century) was a computer geeks dream and a mechanics nightmare! My mothers car is a front wheel drive (Pontiac G6). Another computerized wonder machine. You wonder why it doesn't burn up in a big short circuit.
We got rid of my wife's G6 for that reason. The brake lights would spontaneously come on, and would not go off. A new brake pedal position sensor (they can't be bothered with a simple switch), a new Body Cpntrol Module, a new wiring harness, and still the lights would not go out. It honked me off for the last time when suddenly the brakes lights would stay on until you hit the brakes, then they would go out.
Sounds like a winner to me and I wouldn't need testosterone shots for awhile.
