If I read your needs correctly, you essentially want a lawn tractor which will occasionally haul a load of firewood? I didn't see anything about "ground engaging" implememnts or anything else which would require a Garden Tractor rear end and tranny. Also "occasionally" haul a load of rocks, mulch. That shuld be within the realm of a LT. What size cart do you have, one of the small ones or something like the 18 cuft AgriFab which is rated for 1500lbs? If you're worrying about hauling heavy loads and your cart will only hold 500... You mention "spinning halfway up." Traction is a function of the tire tread, not the LT/GT label and if that's a concern, you'll have to spend extra $$ for AG or the ATV tires that have become popular on small tractors. Also, depending on the severity of the grade, wheel weights may be needed, though with a load on a cart, the weight is transferred to the rear end of the tractor (if loaded right) so that shouldn't be needed. Sure, a GT would do everything you want and lots more, also "buy more than you need" is a very useful adage to keep in mind. However it's your $$ and you might want to do a realistic evaluation of the tasks you'll do. Didn't see anything about snow removal, pushing a blade or running a snow thrower that would be out of the realm (IMHO) of an LT. If you have "bumps and contusions" in your lawn, remember that the deck hangs off the tractor and if one of the tires is riding up a bump, cut will be affected. Another consideration is availability of parts and dealer service if needed. Where do you order parts for a TSC unit? Is the JD supported by a local dealer or sold at a "big box" store-all GREEN is not equal. You might look at Sears, they have good sales, parts and service are available, and their website is full of reviews for everythig they sell. Good Luck, Ev

For use around a home, I would recommend getting a large electric chainsaw. Most of the things around a home can be handled by an electric. I use mine for the occasional tree that must come down, trimming branches, shrubs, etc. That was the idea when I bought my 14' Poulan Plastic handled Chain saw about 20 years ago. Over the years I have used it to cut up several trees, the largest being a 20" diameter long leaf pine, It was used to cut up the 31 other slightly smaller trees that I lost in hurricane Fran. Last summer I lost a 12" diameter sweet gum. It did the job. If you are planning to cut these large diameters trees routinely. I would not recommend an electric. Neither if you are going out in the wood to cut trees for a fireplace. The biggest advantage for an electric is it will run when ever you plug it in. You never have to worry about fuel ratios, and such. Gas chainsaw are a real pain if you only use it a couple of times a year and have to keep the carburetor clean. There is no carburetor on an electric. If you get an electric you will be limited to less that 200' or less of cord. The cord takes time to coil and uncoil. but is not as frustrating as getting the gas one started after sitting in the shed unused for a year. From a safety point of view the blade only runs when you pull the switch. it stops nearly immediately

I have a husky red. I don't know it is cherry type. Some of the fruits are almost 4 oz. Mine is compact, planted in a pot. So far I have picked a few and there are half dozen or so still green ones. I did not have any foliage issue, except some lower leaves rolling like tacos. I think it was because of too much water. Anyway, all in all not a remarkable variety. But since it is compact, I might grow one plant next year.

I agree with what Seeker suggested, especially the new varieties from the Dwarf Project. Husky Red Cherry has that deep green rugose foliage and is what's called an ISI ( indeterminate short internode) variety and so it does stay compact as you note. All of the current releases from the Dwarf Project also have that deep green rugose foliage and also stay compact but the project has greatly expanded the fruit colors and shapes than have ever existed before for dwarf varieties. As a side note, I think the Husky Red is the only one remaining of a series of Huskies that were bred by Petoseed many years ago in many different colors. They didn't go over well with the public b'c of the rugose foliage, which I happen to think is beautiful, but was new to most tomato growers at the time. The pendulum went back to dwarf and det varieties b/c of so many folks wanting varieties that did stay compact for container growing and also for inground growing where space was an issue. Right now I have two from the Dwarf Project growing, Iditirod Red and Dwarf Jade Beauty and have grown Summertime Green, Summertime Gold, Wild Fred, and a couple of others. There are two places that carry ALL of the current releases from the project. One is the one linked to above and that's Tania's T-base which you can find by Googling and the other place is Heritage Seeds in CA where Steve also has all of them. I'm just too lazy this AM to go fetch the links, sorry. And other places that were initially sent some of the new ones include Tomato Growers Supply, Victory Seeds, Sandhill Preservation, and they may still have some but the two places I mentioned above have all of them now as will Gleckerseedmen for 2013 if seed production goes well. Hope that helps. Carolyn