Sounds as though you did find something cheap that will last into the future. Hard to go wrong with a JD 316. Here are a couple of links that you might find helpful. http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/products_non_current/316.html The Onan is a very good engine but you need to take care of it. Change the oil every 50 hours and check it often. Keep the oil level at the full mark all the time. Parts for Onans are expensive because they are now discontinued. However, if that tractor is in excellent condition, it is worth repowering. Small Engine Warehouse has been known to offer a 20 hp Honda engine that is spec'd correctly for your application. Here is a link that might be useful: 316

reply by theodocus struck me as coming from the desk of the ad agency of MTD. No mention of the actual operation that involves rolling over uneven terrain and jarring action from bumps and uneven spots and the fragile fabricated axles that bend and crack easily. Oh, there is also the bushings used in place of ball bearings: bushing use requires higher horsepower to move the newer units. The Deere has points and condenser; cost $5.00 and 9.00 respectively and the sears is a solid state igntion. Newer technology is wonderful as long as it is coupled with quality assemblage in a product. I have a 1968 Sears GARDEN tractor with a 12HP Tecumseh Heavy duty cast iron engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42 inch deck and also have a 1976 John Deere GARDEN tractor with a cast iron 10 HP engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42" deck and use both alternately for mowing two acres and for tilling and moving earth, etc.. Each has cast iron axles and mutli-speed hi-lo transmissions and EACH is used for plowing, snowblowing, tilling earth, hauling 1100 lb loads in attached large carts. EACH will run circles around the new 20 plus HP light LAWN tractors made today. Spend 5,000.00 and you will have a comparable heavy duty GARDEN tractor. By the way, good luck on getting even 10 years of use with the new wonders.

I mow a 3 acre kennel, a 2 acre shop area, and a 1 acre homesite. I run a Kubota diesel with a 54" belly deck; a 48" ZTR; and a 42" GT. Good: In large areas, the Kubota is much faster, and much cheaper to operate. It will run all day on 2 galls, the gas ZTR will use 5. It cuts better because it really does have faster rotational blade speed. Bad: The Kubota is heavy and will get stuck in the infamous Crosby (sod capital of the world) mud so we can't use it much in the rainy season. Good: The ZTR is extremely nimble and great for areas with lots of trees, etc. It is incredibly fast for smaller areas with lots of turns. Bad: ZTRs are uncontrollable on slippery and / or sloped ground. They are dangerous around ditches, ponds, etc. The problem is that the casters do not provide the stability of wheels. Like a motorcycle, they have only 2 wheels which must do everything: drive, steer, hold a course, etc. If you get in mud, the casters rut in and it is a nightmare to get going again unless you have a tractor to pull them out. Only a gorilla can push a stuck ZTR. I am a big guy but eventually mounted a boat winch on mine. Also, a ZTR is nimble ONLY if you can swing the deck. In corners or tight spots they are treacherous. You must be able to swing the deck ... or else you have to shut it down, get off, lift the deck (keep an 8 foot 4x4 nearby), and move the casters around by hand. Don't bother to carry a water bottle. You cannot use a hand to fend off branches, wipe your face, swat mosquitoes, etc., etc. You must keep both hands on both sticks; they are very sensitive. Good: The 42" twin blade GT works around the pond, ditches, fence corners, etc. I outline everything with it before I fire up the big stuff. It also carries a 50 footlong nylon rope to pull the others out when they are (frequently) stuck in the mud. Bad: Fast it ain't.

@ klfpub, "We currently own a 15 y/o john deere gt235 but is getting old and worn out. We use daily as my wife hauls 4-5 bails of hay each evening for her horses". So has that old GT235 pair for itself a few times in 15 years? Been reliable? Easy to get parts and service? The X3xx Select Series John Deeres are LAWN tractors, not GARDEN tractors. John Deere GARDEN tractors start at the X5xx Select Series. Look at an X500... it'll cost you but it will last you. @ Ev, And the "John Deere Chorus" still sings the same song and has been singing it for decades and decades and decades and decades and decades... you get what you pay for. Any expensive Sears purchase is iffy now days until we see if Sears even has a future. A 3 year in home warranty is useless to me if I have to wait for a mower-refrigerator- washing machine-vacuum cleaner repair person to show up and then order parts and then wait till the parts come and then wait till the repair person comes back and then hope they diagnosed it correctly. and there's always the inconvenience of not being able to get a part on a Saturday so I can mow or blow snow on Sunday. I didn't believe that and bought the top line Sears GT. Had it one day and took it back. I'm new to JD but not to LG and GTs and machinery in general. I hated to pay what my X500 cost but I hated to pay what my Toyota 4x4 pickup cost too. My Toyota is 22 years old and has outlived numerous brands of neighbors trucks and pulled out quite a few stuck in mud and snow. Best thing about my Toyota is that it saved me from buying a couple new trucks in 22 years. Yup, John Deere and Toyota... they both cost too much and are worth every cent. Ev, I'm pulling for you and I hope to read your posts years down the road that your Sears has given you the reliable service you're hoping for. I know I bought my last garden tractor (unless I just want a bigger tractor) and my X500 will outlive me and there will still be parts available when I'm gone. No chorus... just a solo.