Well, spring is falling, time to buy a riding mower, suggestions

[4RE KLR]

I bought the Sears Craftsman GT 6000

It has a Kohler 26Hp with a 52" cut. I love the thing. It is easy to get to to change the oil and filters and rides nice. I have had zero problems with it.

Can't remember what I paid for it. I bought it just as they were getting everything ready for Christmas, so I got a good deal on it. I have no idea what they cost now.

A neighbor bought a John Deer at the same time that he got rid of at the end of the first year because of all the problems he was having with it. However I do believe it was one of those Home Depot Deers and not a real John Deer. I did not know there was a difference but apparently there is.

If I had my choice I would have bought a New Holland. It cost a little over $10K at the time for a 52'' cut. That was a tad more than I wanted to spend. If you look in my gallery I have pictures on my New Holland TC45D farm tractor. It is the best piece of equipment I have ever owned, period.

[767Jockey]

I followed someones advice once and it was the best thing I ever did. Don't stress over brand name - just get something that is NOT belt driven. The belts will drive you crazy. Shafts, gears, discs, whatever are head and shoulders above belt driven. I ended up buying a mid priced Snapper. It has some crazy rubber covered disc drive. It's 14 years old and the only service I've EVER done on it is oil and spark plugs - the thing is tough as nails. My last mower was belt drive and every year I was under the darn thing.