I tried both and I find the rear-drive very awkward and very difficult while pivoting the mower to the other direction. With front-drive, all I do is raise the front and quickly turn the mower to the other direction. My target is to quickly and efficiently mow my lawn and not tinker with the clutch at all; who wants that? With rear-drive, I have to disengage every time when I need to turn directions ... making my expensive mower a push mower during the attempt and tremendously slowing my momentum ... and of course, I have to engage again to move forward. If you have the mower on fast while doing this, you will find yourself fighting the mower every time you want to start on the new direction. You are not controlling the mower, its controlling you. Think about it, being able to raise the front wheels will allow you to turn the mower on 2 wheels; that is turning on a dime. If you have 4 wheels, you are going to make several small movements to realign your mower to the new direction while stroking your clutch on every attempt. IÂm returning my rear-drive today for a front-wheel drive.

'Manuevering advantage to front wheel drive' No. There is no advantage except cost in a FWD mower, and you pay much more than the difference over a couple of years in downtime, parts and aggravation. I really don't get how people have that idea about the FWD being easier to maneuver than RWD. Approaching a turn-around, you let go of the bail, which disconnects the drive. At the same time you push down on the handle to raise the front wheels and you pivot. As the mower lands on the ground, you just squeeze the drive bail to drive off down the new row. It is actually the exact same procedure as with the FWD, except on the FWD you don't have to let go of the drive bail. And for this you would suffer with an inferior product plus pay to replace it before its time after you get tired of replacing belts, wheels and axles?

Many Toro gears have a small letter on the side which indicates the direction it should face. R would face the right side. If yours does not, the best way to determine direction would be this. From the side view, at the top- the flat part would face the back. It is the same both sides. If you have input to the transmission and no output- it is time for a new trans. Fortunately, they are affordable compared to many. Let us know how you do.

If there is no external red flags IE like a loose link or a sticking brake etc- look for $$ , you will need it for a new hydro. Possibly a second for the other side in the near future.