As someone who has migrated from a JD 57 (new, for 15+years and a 2nd engine)to a JD 165H(used, for 15 years) and on to a JD LT160 (used, four years so far and no end in sight) I'd suggest that you will very much enjoy the way the newer models have improved. Each of mine has mowed better, bagged better, ridden more smoothly, generally felt higher quality than its predecessor. This is all on the same lot, so it is really comparable. Unlike the earlier advice, I would steer awy from v-twin, big deck, lower quality brand machines for your target use. I would hunt for a well maintained used high end brand (JD, Snapper, Simplicity, etc.) and for a product line within that brand that is at least a step up from anything sold in box stores. I think you will find a wide deck (48, etc) to be more of a hindrance than a plus on less than a half acre with culverts, etc. - Also, the listed brands that come with v-twins and big decks are almost all from the bottom, big-box store, product line so you need to be very careful hunting down a quality keeper machine. I got a killer deal on my current used JD LT160, just by following Craig's List for a couple of months. I paid $900. for a $3,000 machine with around 64 hours use, with teh optional at extra cost Freedom mulching deck, adn with the optional JD 10P pull cart. I subsequently bought a 42C side discharge convertible mowing deck for it on Ebay (almost new trade-in to a dealer for a Freedom deck) for total with shipping of about $200. This is a quality machine with a Kohler Command single cylinder 16hp engine which is a step up from the Kohler Courage, B&S Intek level usually seen in lesser machines. Big horsepower is almost purely a sales gimmick on mowers of this league - Anything over around 12 hp will do everything you ever will need on your land. Buying a machine because it has big hp numbers and a big deck seems to be the way the general public goes, thinking more is better, but in my opinion, each of those features is more of a negative when traded for quality of teh machinery, and in teh case of the big deck, used on a lot that is easier to do with a smaller deck.

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."

I like these debates... I myself would also go for the wheel horse - mainly because I really use my stuff for much more than cutting lawn. But I will also say that if I were only cutting a lawn - and bagging leaves on my 2.5 acres - I wouldn't spend my money on a $3k Deere. Heck you can get away with a much lesser machine to do leaves/lawn ($400-$1000 bucks should do you fine)... have a look on Craigslist... even Lowes/HomoDepot can hook you up with a low priced JD that will bag leaves / cut grass... Or of course that fine wheel horse will do nicely... I was over at sears the other day looking at what I think was a 6500 and its looked WELL BUILT RUGGED for roughly $2300... It looked much more rugged than any of the JD's at Lowes/HomoDepot ... looking at the Sears web site at the model 6500 it states " This is a Garden Tractor capable of using ground engaging attachments Powered by a 24 hp Kohler Pro V-Twin" I see the 3 models have Hydro trannies ... But I was pretty sure I saw one of them at the store with a 6-spd Gear tranny (no hydro)... I had a few beers in me - so i'm not certain. I dont know about that Kohler motor - id probably take the chance on it... I really prefer a gear tranny for those rugged jobs. I have a little sears mower with a gear tranny that I love. I dont have a mower deck for it (wish i did), but I use it for towing stone, boat trailers and firewood. I have a Scotts 2046 with a hydro tranny - and its reliable but noisy - but I just dont trust hydro tranny for the brute force jobs... maybe if it was rigged up with a real oil cooler... On the other hand - the Scotts 2046 with the hand adjust hydro - is great for mowing my very uneven property - where I am CONSTANTLY adjusting my speed... (very annoying with a gear driving tranny). You can do better than that deere ... Good luck with your.... Wheel horse :)

the blades on craftsman riding mowers use a star pattern. Frequently, owner attempt to install new blades by reaching under the mower deck. Sometimes the blade has not engaged the matching star pattern on the spindle. if this is the case, the tip of the blade may be striking the deck. Additionally, the star pattern on the spindle may be deformed and the blade cannot be properly seated. Remove the deck so both sides can be properly inspected.