I have a 2015 John Deere D125 with a Hydrostat transmission that I use for ditches and detail cutting that the zero turn can't reach. It replaced a well worn LX176 with Hydrostat transmission.

As to the 176, I needed to pull the by-pass rod out to hand push the unit with engine off. In it wouldn't move.

The D125 can be push moved by hand with the engine operating and the by-pass rod in (diagnostic purposes only) or out. The manual only addresses starting, and trying to move unit while engine running and the rod out.

Also, when operating the 176 when I took my foot of the accelerator forward motion stopped (brake). The D125 keeps rolling with minimal "drag".

Is all this normal?

Thanks!