How long it lasts depends on what you do to it and what you can afford. In general a higher quality tractor even within a brand line will last longer then a cheaper tractor. Even John Deere makes some green tin cans! Most all tractors will last a few years if stored indoors and serviced properly. Once upon a time I laughed at the notion of power steering on a lawnmower. Now I would not buy one without it. Foot controls are also a huge difference. With the same size machine ps and foot controls cut my mowing time in half! I mow for hundreds of hours in a year because I have a tree farm. If I only had a lawn to mow and a drive to clear such things might not be as important. Pull behind attachments fit most any machine. Spreaders, wagons, rollers, and such just hook to the draw bar so brand is not very important. A John Deere thrower will fit many John Deere machines within its class. The snowthrower that fits my JD garden tractor will not fit my JD heavy duty garden tractor... different size machines! Even within a class of JD machines different attachment hardware kits are needed. Snowthrowers will move from brand to brand only if you have a welder and some engineering skill. I've seen it done but it is not easy or common. Then there are age issues. Attachments that fit a JD for the 70's will not fit a JD from the current year... technology and design changes. Last time I checked I could still buy attachments for my 1996 tractor from the JD dealer. That will come to an end with time. How long probably depends on what JD has in the warehouse. About once a decade JD will do a major design change. Shaft and belt drive most often refers to how the powered attachments like decks and throwers are powered. Many will disagree with me but I see no real difference for a lawn and garden sized tractor! I currently have a JD 345 with belt powered attachments and an X485 with shaft drive. No real difference in how they cut grass. Both require the engine to be running at full rpm for a decent cut. Both will bog the engine down if I feed them tall wet grass. For the most part I prefer the belt drive because it is easy to work with... not that shaft drive is overly difficult. The belt drive deck disconnects with a hand lever and the shaft drive requires an allen wrench to loosen a set screw. Even with the shaft drive deck the blades are still belt driven! Most lower priced machines will have a belt drive system because they are simple and strong. Btw... under $5K is a lower priced machine these days. I buy nothing but JD because there is a huge JD dealership in the county. It is common knowledge that Kubota and the other off brands have to be painted bright colors so you can find them when they die in the weeds.... : )

I got the LA120 also , but made a few changes like putting a angled grease zerk on front axle pivot so I could get a grease gun on it (front deck hanger in way) I'm also going to turn the left deck spindle about a quarter turn so I can grease it without taking the deck off (just remove plastic cover ,right spindle zerk no problem).... I even bought a mini grease gun w/hose & still can't get on zerk. I also changed the front wheel bushings to X300 bearings. The first time I put gas in it it had some in tank so I got 2 gals (2.1 gal tank manual says)and put it in and it didn't quite fill it , wondered about that and now I see on JD site the made a mid year change and put a 4 gal tank on the LA120. Overall for my needs it works great.

I'm unable to post photos now but I'll try to explain it.I don't have direct experience on this model,but it looks like the cable runs to the rear,first passing through a bracket on the (drivers) L/H side of the clutch yoke just below the clutch spring,Then to the brake pivot lever going through a hole at the top of the bracket,there are ferrules to adjust the brake,I suppose the same for the clutch "remove the rear cover plate move a loose ferrule to the rear of the brake pivot lever to increase braking".

Heather, I have a Craftsman DSG 6500 garden tractor that I really like. This is a garden tractor as apposed to a lawn tractor so it is able to use "ground engaging" equipment. It has a 54" cutting deck. I put a Johnny Bucket attachment on the front of it which acts like a front end loader so that you can use it to plow, move dirt, compost, etc. I have the manual transmission but the auto is easier to use. I use it to haul either with the Johnny bucket on the front or I have a dumpable cart that I haul around. You mentioned that you'd like it for a bigger place some day so this tractor would do everything you want and more. The tractor is right around $2200.00 give or take and for another $1000.00 you can get a 2-stage snow blower for the front which should help with your weather. I purchased the 3 yr. at home service agreement that covers pretty well everything for about $300.00 but I've never had to use it. This tractor is made by Husquvarna. My only concern is that if you have a dealer right in your neighborhood, that may be the better way to go. Craftsman 26 hp 54 in. Deck, DGS 6500 Garden Tractor Sears item# 07128750000 Mfr. model# 28750 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Availability of home delivery for this product varies by location Eligible For Store Pick Up Other colors available: Protect this purchase with a Protection Agreement see options Price Match Policy No Interest, No Payments until September, 2008, with your Sears Card. Sears Card. Add a Tractor Bumper (07124598) for Free. Offer ends 05-Sep-2007 See Details Overview Specifications Options Reviews(14) This is a Garden Tractor capable of using ground engaging attachments. Powered by a Briggs & Stratton 26 hp ELS (Extened Life series) V-Twin engine (includes oil filter) with overhead valves for cooler running and longer life. Match the speed with the job that needs to be done with our Extra Heavy Duty EZ Drive hydrostatic/automatic transmission . A 54" Precision Cut Plus deck system with four gauge wheels and more air flow for better cutting and bagging. Capable Of Using Ground Engaging Attachments Powerful 26 hp B/S Els (Extened Life Series) V-Twin Engine Exclusive 54" Precision Cut Plus Deck System W/ 4 Adj. Gauge Wheels Spring Loaded Deck Lift System Extra Heavy Duty Ez Drive Hydrostatic / Automatic Transmission Foot Pedal Drive For Added Convenience Large 23" Rear Tires Handy Cup Holder Wider Step Thru Area Automotive Type Slide Seat System 2 Year Limited Warranty __USERID__ Overall Rating 4.7 5 13 of 14 (93%) customers would recommend this product to a friend. Read all reviews Write a review Number of reviews: Number of reviews with ratings & comments:12 Number of reviews with ratings-only:2 Write an online review Product Reviews Product Reviews Review This Product Choose a sort order Featured Reviews First Buyer's Reviews First Staff Reviews First Top Reviewers First Date - Newest First Date - Oldest First Rating - High to Low Rating - Low to High Helpfulness - High to Low Helpfulness - Low to High Length - Long to Short Length - Short to Long FEATURED REVIEW Overall Rating: 5 5 April 28, 2007 By ChasfromBenld from Benld,Illinois Performance: 5 5 Value: 5 5 Features: 5 5 Reliability: 5 5 "I give this Tractor a 10 on scale of 1-10. The 26 HP Briggs and Stratton has plenty of power and very smooth operation, I love the hydrostatic drive. It is very convenient and simple to use. I have been mowing my property with a old mower and decided it was time to upgrade, This is my first experience with a Craftsman Garden Tractor. I can honestly say this is the best garden tractor I have ever owned. The price was right and the sales and delivery experience from Sears was outstanding. Prior to using this Tractor, I read and studied the owners manual, I work in the Heavy Duty Truck Industry and can honestly say this Tractor is put together really well. And you can get any part you need very easily from Sears. The Tractor came with an illustrated parts manual and every part used on the tractor can be ordered which impressed me greatly. I will be ordering both summer and winter accessories as this tractor can be used year round. I would expect this Tractor to last 20 years. Now I need to convince my wife to let me buy her one so we can have a his and hers tractor. :)" Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review) Overall Rating: 5 5 Upgrade from LT1000, August 21, 2007 By AFChief from Crestview, FL Performance: 4 5 Value: 5 5 Features: 5 5 Reliability: 5 5 "Had a great Craftsman LT1000 for 4 years without a problem, but needed something bigger that would take attachments. Researched different options and the DGS6500 met all the needs for a 1.5 acre yard, there is no greater capability for the price. Bought the scoop attachment for scraping and hauling, works great on flat surface but the mower deck can cause some drag on uneven ground. Starts easy, runs great, but I wish the reverse had better response, it's rather slow for going back and forth with a scoop. To get the full engagement you need to pull up on the accelerator pedal rather than press down on the reverse pedal--no reasonable adjustment option available. Relatively quiet for a 26 HP tractor with impressive power. Multiple attachment options avaialble--gets the job done, it's a keeper!" Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review) Overall Rating: 5 5 Little Workhorse, June 6, 2007 By Atliberty from Petaluma, CA Performance: 4 5 Value: 5 5 Features: 5 5 Reliability: 5 5 "This garden tractor is being used for mowing grass, lawn and field. It does well at all jobs. The only difficulty is if the terrain gets uneven and then I may need to push it by hand, I'm learning to use the reverse feature to get me out of certain situations. It seems to be very safe, easy to start, reliable and a little workhorse. I didn't buy the mulcher and don't think that my needs indicate it." Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review) Overall Rating: 2 5 WAS GREAT....AT FIRST, June 6, 2007 By thunderbolt from Virginia Performance: 5 5 Value: 2 5 Features: 5 5 Reliability: 1 5 "For the first 4 hours i loved this machine.at 4 hours the main drive belt came off front pulley.I called the service center,June 11th was as soon as someone could look at it,This was may 28th.The guy on the phone talked me through getting the belt back on track.Everything was fine untill it had 7 hours on it,the belt broke.I had to tow it to my shed.I went to the store Monday June 4th they got a guy to come out today the 6th to "fix it".He didn't have the belt with him.I have to wait 2 days for the belt to arrive then call them again.He said it was "to new" for him to have it,called the store 5 miles away they have it in stock,but can't have service people have it. I believe the belt broke because it wasn't properly set up at the store or the factory.Be sure if yout tractor has any problems go to store and make sure the service guy has the part .My problem is probly not the norm for this machine,I'm writting this to warn others incase it happens to them."