Back again, my previous post the URL doesn't work, from JD website, so here a copy and paste from that website concering JD service costs. SERVICE CONTRACTS - RESIDENTIAL OWNERS/USE Visit http://www.JohnDeere.com/ServicePlans for more information on John Deere Service Contracts. May not be Available in Parts of the U.S., Not Available in Canada. John Deere Break-in Maintenance Plan (Break-in Service Only) 1 break-in maintenance service; transportation for break-in service included. $169.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (1 Maintenance Service) 11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 maintenance service; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $309.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (1 Maintenance Service) 11 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 1 maintenance service; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $479.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (2 Maintenance Services) 36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 2 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $609.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) With Break-in (2 Maintenance Services) 36 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 1 break-in service; 2 maintenance services; transportation for break-in & covered maintenance service included. $779.99 John Deere Maintenance Plan (Standard) Without Break-in (4 Maintenance Services) 48 Month Term Maintenance Plan: 4 maintenance services; transportation for covered maintenance service included. $1,219.99 These above plans are for the X500 with the 48" deck. I just got the invoice for the annual service on my GT275 which is equivlant to the basic X500. It was to be $433.18 turned out as $375.81(163.39 parts, 175.81 lab, 26.62 misc, and 9.99 tax). Last yr. I believe I paid about $290. don't have the exact amount without digging in to last yrs. papers. The 2 largest part charges were ($42.75/blades and $78.00/muffler). The invoice is 2 pages so I will not list all items individually. I am sill waiting on the trade quote, but at these charges that Scag Tiger Cub is looking better all the time. Green is good but when it comes to these prices - well I begin to wonder. johndeere, yes I'm am seriously considering that green will be gone and not more green. If I sell it outright the invoice will be displayed with the tractor and if I trade it to the Scag dealer they will see the invoice also. If I do stay green JD dealer has a copy. Two last things to remember; I don't want to have it stolen - and there are plenty of JD nuts that will pay for it, and John Deere green ain't cheap to own. To the original poster, yes you are getting a very good deal on that Craftsman mower.

I purchased my Cub in 1999. GOt a 2135 for yard work and a snow thrower attachment for the drive in the winter. First two years were great. After that, nickle and dime issues, VERY POOR reliability, electrical wiring issues, stearing parts broke, in 2006 the engine died with 234 hours on it (we think a valve rod bent) It was the most unreliable piece of equipment I have ever owned (and it was $4,300 for the setup in 1999) Service from the dealer was 'ok' but they had big International Harvester (or whatever they're called now) equipment to work on, so my cub was of little importance, profit wise. I understand that these are made by MTD and not IH like they were in the 80's. MTD makes mediocre equipment at best and the Cub Cadet is a testimony to that decline in quality. It's like what happened to the US auto industry in the late 70's and early 80's. Focus is all about profit and nothing about quality and it's all overseas. I have since replaced it with a Simplicity (out of Washington state, I believe.) So far I'm VERY pleased with the quality and attention to details. Under 5 minutes to drop the mower deck AND remove the bagger. And 2 wheel traction is a nice plus when climbing uneven terrain. I'll never buy another MTD product again. Make sure you know what you're getting

This is my first posting and thank all for their comments. I have 6-7 acres to mow with lots of trees. No hills with some slopes near creek which runs through property. My friend has dealership and has convinced me to buy commercial Hustler fast track 54" but he is 300 miles away. I live in north Texas area and there are no dealers within 40 miles of my place. What happens when there is a problem? I could buy cheaper machine from local Depot but like what I read of the Hustler.. But concerned over buying from store 300 miles away. Any suggestions?

Oh boy! My head is going nuts making this decision! :) I had my neighbor bush hog again (tax refund check FINALLY coming this week..that's how I'm paying for this thing..yeah, yeah, I know, I need to tweak my exemptions so I get my money much earlier, the crazy thing is my federal we had to pay and state we got twice as much back...go figure)....luckily my neighbor did it in exchange for me letting him use my well water on his corn...I LOVE neighbors!! :) I did bake him a batch of cookies, though. I agree I could use a 3 point hitch tractor but I don't really want one. There's just too much, attachments, size, bulk, and they intimidate the heck out of me..their under carriage decks don't have any higher cutting than the Kubota zero turns..and I want to avoid getting a finishing deck for my front yard...I have vinyl fencing all around and don't want to maneuver those tractors..yes, ideally, I'd have both a tractor/ZRT..but I want a pool! Yes, the crazy lady coming out in me. We've worked hard to get to this point, have had two house payments for 10 months, UGH...hard to save for these things and when that house sells I want to jump into a pool not a bigger 3 point hitch tractor! :) Sure, one day, when I'm hauling 50 pound bags of fertilizer around I might regret it, but nah. So, here I go, check is in the mail from the state, it's burning a hole in my pocket and I'm going to go check out that scag and see if I can't talk the Kubota team down on price....that John Deere 727A...it's got 23 hp and they will put a hitch on it (not 3 point just a drop in which I could use on the rare occasion)...I'm not sure if that's the right model but I know it had 23hp and a 54 inch deck with 7 gauge steel welded deck..I'll need to make sure I'm comparing apples to apples. Y'all have given me great direction and suggestions..I'm going into this much more informed and able to choose a mower that will atleast give me 10 years..by then I may make that tractor purchase...I've got a friend down the road that has 150 acres and is selling it all..hoping I might score a little tractor off him! :) I'll post a pic of what I get next week! Thanks! Tara