Ditto Al, Josh & the other experienced folks above who have helped me with my 19 gal SWC mixes last year that produced abundant tomatoes yet somewhat meely in texture, possibly due to the necessarily high % of peat required to wick water up from the reservoir up thru a 19 gal SWC (Pro Mix). You're probably all set to go with self watering rather than top watering for your 19 gal containers, but I am thinking of converting my large SWCs to top watering this season, so that I can go with a grittier mix and achieve better tasting results. So bottom line is I am not convinced self watering is way to go for large containers, water budget is about the same (evaporation from above ground heat is the same either way you water) and ease of delivering water & nutrients is also a wash (no pun intended). Some have said you avoid meely tomatoes by watering less, but to achieve wicking one must fill the reservoir and it is dry the next day at temps in zone 9-10, so I believe meely taste is related to the mix which is necessitated by SWC. I guess I am posing a question more than adding to your answer.

I have had a JD X304 going on 5 years and it still looks like and works like new---I have had 2 other Deere tractors over the past 20 years or so and I wouldn't have anything else--I belive the Snapper "LT" is the same as the JD mower that you find in Lowes, etc--I think you will find that the John Deere X304 is better built---

I have worked at a lawn mower shop for several years. We've sold both cub cadet and John Deere. This is what I can tell you. John deere's quality has had a big drop, just like everything nowadays. one of the best mowers you can buy for the money is a cub cadet ltx 1042kw. It has a good Kawasaki engine and hydrostatic drive. If you get it from a dealer and not farm supply etc. you get a free front bumper to protect your hood when it's on the trailer or just mowing. Hoods can get over 500 dollars. John Deere about 5 years ago, was the brand I would recommend. But, now I'm afraid nothing runs like a cub. If you can spend more money on a mower, I would recommend a zforce s 48 inch. It is a true zero turn with a steering wheel. The front wheels turn like a normal mower, and the back ones spin like a stick zero turn. Just driving it is very convincing, it is very agile. It runs so smooth and is very nice to ride with the pivoting front axle. How many yards are flat like the floor of a showroom. Just my opinions of driving and working on both of them, hope I helped. Oh, if you mow several yards or a lot of land, check out the commercial line, the highest quality you can get besides a hustler. But without the 10000 dollar price tag.

There's a lot to like about both of those mowers. I haven't read many reports about the Scag transaxles being a bad choice. As far a sealed bearings, I like them. I feel like the Scag spindles might be stronger and easier to maintenance. Just take the center bolt out, push out the bearings, push new ones in. That's how just about all commercial mowers are now days. Fast, cheap, and easy to repair and replace. I don't think either mower have very many grease points if any. I feel the Scag has a stronger frame and deck. But hey! I still like that Deere. I was there once looking at both mowers a year ago. I like them both then. I think the Scag will cost more out the door. But I think it'll cost more maintaining the Deere. Heck! What do I know??? I didn't buy either one of them. I bought a Bad Boy Pup instead. I've never met a mower I couldn't like, as long as it was mowing!! You need to go look at them. Sit on em. Look all around them, and underneath them. Get the dealer to let you drive each one around on grass mowing. One has to catch your eye more some than the other. Flip a coin, Deere Flip a coin, Scag Flip a coin, Deere Flip a coin, Scag It never stops until you get the one you just have to have. Both are good Mowers! ms