Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Reverse on a riding lawn mower, craftsman mowers, safety switches

Question
Last fall we bought a new riding mower, and, of course, didn't use it until this spring. The first time I mowed, I came in and told my husband that Huskie has a lot to learn from Craftsman mowers(our old mower). I told him that in order to back up away from a tree or whatever, you have to shut off the mower deck, back up, turn the mower deck back on and continue to mow. He didn't believe me until he looked it up in the instruction book. So we returned the mower. He was told that all NEW mowers are made that way now, for safety reasons. We don't want to buy another mower with that same problem. Have you heard that there are new regulations to that effect? Thank you

Answer
Hi Janet,

No I haven't heard of new regulations about this.  It may be true.  I did a quick search and didn't find anything.  You could check with other dealers of Husky http://traderoute.electrolux-na.com/locator/dealer-locatorIndex.htm or another make.  As a last resort, note that most safety switches can be bypassed.

Michael