Go with a Cub Cadet 2542 or any used GT in your price range or for a GT in your Price range new would be a Husqvarna GT from the GLS series or the GXLS series all three models are dealer only models and they have a K66 Transmission. Myself I'm a Deere and CUB Cadet man But do own other brands as well

Here is a link that might be useful: NEW Dealer models only

Thanks for the reply. The CC GT2542 was at the top of my list when I started looking new. Although maybe overkill, it had what I was looking for - premium engine, HD transaxle and a smaller 42" deck. I initially thought Simplicity might be the ticket, but the Regent seems pricey for a Courage/Intek and a K46 transaxle. That's when I started looking used and came across the Deere LX series. The new Deere equipment is out of my price range for what I'm looking for, but used is a different story. I can certainly get into an LX and likely a GT under $3K and with relatively low hours. Probably focus on the CC GT2442 and the Deere LX/GT series - still not sure if a HD lawn tractor hydro or lighter duty GT transaxle is what I need for the long run. The Husky's also seem worth a look.

What about something older but with a fresh engine?

I picked up an older simplicity sunstar (sold under many names from many mannufacturers, such as Agco, Massey-Ferguson, Deutz-Allis, etc) for $1800. It has a Peerless 2600 transaxle which is claimed to be pretty bulletproof. The one I got has a Newer Kohler Command 22hp V-Twin with only 80 hours on it.

I have posted this recommendation in a few threads since I picked my tractor up this past weekend, so I don't want to sound like a broken record. But if you are looking for heavy duty equipment at Sears/Lowes/Home Depot prices, I don't know if you can find a better bang for your buck.

There is an article that explains it pretty well that I found on a site dedicated to older Simplicity tractors. Check out the link to see

Here is a link that might be useful: Simplicity History

Here is one to give you and Idea of what can be had in a good commercial line. It has over 3500 hours on its first engine and now 1300 on this one. It still is a good mower, I am not meaning that you should look at this particlular mower, but you might find a local dealer for this brand and see if he has any good sound units. This one has a grass handling system and works great for leaves.

Since you like to buy quality products. This brand is a very high quality product and will last many years past most of the big box store units.

I have had mine now for almost 10 years and it is just like new.

Here is a link that might be useful: Just an example

I can't say enough about the Deere GT series. I have a GT225, the bottom end of the lineup, with the 15hp Kohler. It's a fantastic machine.
I was in the Deere dealer today to buy some linkage parts for my tiller which I'd misplaced over the winter. They had a nice X540 sitting there alone on the showroom floor. They'd sold everything else. How much? $7500. Then the salesman started getting into it.
It's liquid cooled... That's nice.
Got 26 horsepower... I've never encountered anything 15 horses couldn't get me out of.
Got Carlisle HDAP tires... I have Carlisle Tru Powers. They're better.
Got posi-traction... I don't get stuch with the Tru Powers.
It accepts a tiller... Mine too.
It's got power steering... I can steer mine with two fingers.
You can finance it for 5 years, no payments for a year...
Mine's paid for; always has been.

In the end, there's virtually nothing you can do with a brand new X540 you can't do with my old GT225. I bought it a few years ago for $2,000 in mint condition with a cart and bagger. You should be able to find for around $1500 now. You're right, the GX is still out of your price range. I can't imagine finding one in good shape for less than $3,000. And you'll still need $1,000 to buy the leaf collection system. You might even find a GT235 for under $2k. Look for the GT235E, which also has an inverter built-in and an outlet for 120v power tools.
You might want to just look for a tractor with a powerflo bagger system. They do almost as well as the tow-behind leaf collection systems. You just don't get that hose to walk around with.
You can program a search on eBay for a specific radius from your zip code, depending on how far you want to drive. Where are you?

{{gwi:322183}}

Yes, I know. My lawn's having a rough start this year. Put the weed and feed down before the Bermuda fully greened up.
{{gwi:322184}}

Thanks for the input from everyone - appreciate it. I did take a look at all of the suggestions. At this point I'm leaning toward a used Deere GT series. I've come to the conclusion that for my budget I can get into a garden tractor vs. a HD lawn tractor. That takes the transaxle issue off the table since I'd be getting all and probably more transaxle than I need and gives me the option of some true ground engaging equipment. Marineguy, thanks for the info and the posting the photos - the GT225 is looking very good to me - if I could get one for $2K in mint condition I think I'd be ready to buy right now. The 235 also looks like an option price wise, but many seem to come with a 54" deck, which I don't need and want. I guess I could swap it out, but that's more buying/selling. The only issue I see with the GT is that there doesn't seem to be as many out there as the lawn tractors, which seems to make sense - patience I guess. I just have to figure out price vs. hours/condition. I'm not quite sure how many hours is too many for me to buy used, but I figure as I start looking at specific units, I'll start to get some idea. I've got to figure out how to use the eBay programmed search - I'm in upstate NY. Thanks again for all of the input.

Here's one you might want to check out. The GT275 is pretty similar to the GT235, the only difference being it's a single cylinder Kawasaki rather than a twin cylinder Briggs. It's got the 48" convertible deck, hydrostatic ground-engaging rated transmission with foot pedals, hand lever manual lift.
$2600 is a bit steep. I don't know what his reserve is, but normally a somewhat older tractor in very good condition like this would sell for around $1500-1700. $2,000 would be about the most I'd pay.
Snow blades (42") are pretty easy to find for these tractors. There's one on eBay right now for under $100

Here is a link that might be useful: GT275

Here's another one to check out. My dad has a 265 and it's a good tractor. The 265 is the middle of the lineup which included the 240/260 (gear drive) and 245/265/285/320 (hydrostatic).
This tractor was sold at JD dealers at the same time as the original GT series (GT242,262,275), but it was the upgrade, built on the heavier frame that eventually was used in the GX series. It has the same 540cc Kawasaki engine as the GT275, but has a hand-operated hydrostatic transmission and the manual deck lever lift is located on the right fender. It also has a far less delicate hood. Being a GT262 owner (my other tractor), I know how fragile the hinges are on the old GT series. The 265 has a weight bracket in the front that acts like a bumper. The seller has it listed as a 46" deck but I'm pretty sure it's a 48".

Here is a link that might be useful: 265

Going a little older, there's also a 318 for sale in PA, may be a bit too far south for you.
The 318 is probably one of the most sought after collectable Deere garden tractors. It has an 18hp twin-cylinder Onan engine. Some people say they're hard to get parts for and some say that's b/s. I don't know personally. What I do know is that this tractor is shaft driven, has a hydraulic deck lift with two hydraulic remote circuits, power steering, hand-operated hydrostatic transmission, and individual rear brakes (allow you to turn on a dime or stop a spinning wheel). It is comparable to the X700 series sold today. You can buy a 3-point hitch for it for a couple hundred bucks. You might even be able to find a rear PTO. This tractor can accept a power angle/lift front blade, and even a front-end loader. The hydraulic lifted blades actually allow you some down force, unlike the manual lift blades which are held down by gravity and nothing more.
1,000 hours is definitely on the high side, but it should have another 1,000 hours left in it. The 318 is like an old Kaiser Jeep CJ-5 or Harley Davidson Panhead. No matter how beat up it gets, there will always be someone willing to buy it and restore it. It's just a classic model.

Here is a link that might be useful: 318

Thanks for the leads - northern PA is doable. In addition to the tractors in the links, I've been watching eBay and Craigslist pretty close the last few days. I have seen two GXs and a GT in NY and NW CT. The GXs are 345's - asking prices are around $3500. Unfortunately those are at the high end of the GT/GX range. There is a GT245 that showed up with "low" hours. What's a GT245 worth low hours in very good condition? It is very close to me, so I think I'll go look at it.

GT245...
Well, a 54" deck is a bit big for just 1 acre, but as long as you don't have any trees or other obstacles to fit through, why not?
I'd say a GT245 is worth $2,000-2,500 in good shape.
I find the most accurate measure of a "blue book" value of a piece of equipment is to search the eBay "completed listings" to see what things actually sell for.
There were two recent GT245s which DID NOT SELL for their advertised prices of $3500 and $2250.
The GT245 is defintely a nice machine, with everything I like about my GT225 plus a V-twin Kawasaki and a deck that's as wide as my Volkswagen. My thoughts on a wide deck: you can trim closer in some cases, and it reduces your uncut radius. But if your ground is uneven at all (and it sounds like it may be), you won't get the same quality of cut you will with a 44 or 48" deck, since it will scalp as the deck dips. This is less severe if you let it float on the gauge wheels (as I do).
If you can get a nice GT245 for less than $2500, that would be a good deal.

I think it has a 48" deck, I should be looking at it this weekend. 48" is max for me and I prefer a smaller deck. I'm concerned about scalping since the a good part of the lawn in uneven. I'll have to see what it looks like and go from there. At that price point, I also see some newer x304s (with K58) and x320's with the K58. Would the K58 do the job over the long run including pulling the leaf vac up and down 1/2 acre of 15% grade? I was at the Deere dealer this morning and he did say that lower end units with the T40s and K46s have come back with burned up trans after a few years when they are used to tow. He obviously would like to put me a x500 series ($$), however, he said that he was very comfortable sending me off with a x320 with the K58 for my application and not see me back with a tranny problem.

Stopped a 2nd JD dealer yesterday afternoon. This one didn't share the 1st dealers opinion that a x320 would be OK. He stated 15% grade pulling a load may have a traction issue and recommended the x500 series for the diff lock. Sure nice rig and has everything I need and then some, but I'm getting up there in $$ and probably more than I really need. I told him that was beyond my budget and he pointed me in the direction of a used GX (I also got the impression that he thought the GX series was better than the x500). I still thinking I'm looking at $3500 or for a used GX. Maybe doable, but that's probably more than I need. GT seems like the sweet spot, just going to have to wait it out for one.

Try shopping around on Craigs List, in your area. Just bought a John Deere 455 with diesel engine, for 3200. Don't know how long the thing will last, but is is built like a tractor.

I'm going to look at the GT245 this week. Anyone have any additional info on the problems with the 20HP KAWA in these units and some of the GXs from this vintage? Doesn't seem like isolate cases - were some engines impacted and some not?
Thanks

If there's any doubt about the K58 handling it, I'd just got with a garden tractor. Both the GT and GX have a K71, and it will handle anything. But if you really want to get the scoop on the K58, I'd get in touch with Tuff Torq and hear it from the horse's mouth.
I prefer the GX series over the X500 series, just because you'll have a much easier time buying used attachments (snowthrowers, tillers, etc). These things cost a lot of money new, but usually sell for 1/3 of their retail value in the secondhand market.
There's absolutely no question I'd go with a lightly used GT or GX over a new X320 for the same money.

I've taken the x320 off the table. If figure if I'm spending that kind of money, I'm going with a garden tractor with all of the capabilities I need and the ability to run some ground engaging equipment. Based on what I've been seeing in the used market (not much at the lower end of the GT/GX series) I'll even go the end of the budget and then some if needed. The only wrench in the works is the problems I see posted on the 20HP Kawa in the GT245 and lower end GXs. I've got to run that to ground and make sure that's not going to trip me up.

Looked at the GT245 today - very nice rig. Concern is the 20HP Kawa. You can see that the inside of the right front wheel is blackened some I assume from the running rich condition. Not sure where this is going to take me. Looks like the GT245, GX255, and the GX335 all used the 20HP air-cooled Kawa potentially with this issue. Disappointing that these engines had problems, seeing and operating one of these - they are nice piece of equipment. Some of what I read seems to indicate it could be caused by the wrong air filter - air filter for internally vented carb installed on externally vent carb will cause them to run rich. See other bulletins though on having to re-jet, etc. which cause lean running issues.

Other than that guy from TN who had issues with his GT245 that sat in storage for a few years, I haven't heard a whole lot about GT245s being lemons (none, actually). In his case the tractor sat for years with old gas in the carb.
All the tractors you mentioned as having this engine are highly sought after.
If you're so concerned, look for a GT235 (Briggs Vanguard) or a GT225 (Kohler Command).

Finally seeing some GT225s/235s show up in my neck of the woods. Four engines available in the two tractors - 15 and 16HP Kohlers in the 225s and Briggs 18 and Kawa 18 in the 235s. Aside from obvious size differences - any major positives/negatives with the four? The only issue I see reported on the web is the hydraulic lifters on the 15 HP Kohler with a little tapping on start up, just the nature of the engine, not a problem.

No complaints about the 15hp Kohler Command.

Well, picked up a 2001 GT225 with the 15hp Kohler Command today in very good condition. Nice size garden tractor for those of us without a large lot, too bad JD doesn't offer something similar today. Thanks for the all of the feedback marineguy, appreciate you taking the time.

Unit runs well, but had been sitting a while. I'd like to drain the fuel tank and start fresh. Will the tank gravity drain if I disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump? Didn't poke around much under the tank area, but the fuel line is obvious running the right frame rail under the hood to the engine. Maybe there is another way to drain the tank?

It would be nice if they made a easy way to drain the tank. I only have experience on older models, and you need to remove the tanks and then empty.