If you are like most of us, you have a beer budget. A new machine that is truly capable of doing all the things on your wish list will cost you ten to twenty grand. Deere only makes one garden tractor series and that's the X-700's. Go to Deere.com and look at the MRSP's for the BASIC models and then add on the cost for a loader, hitch and all the implements you desire. The top Sears tractor is over seven grand and the costs to fit it out will mount equally as fast. According to you, the property is ONE ACRE TOTAL in size. Subtract the foot print for the driveways and buildings plus any planted areas and you likely have a half acre of grass to cut. To use a garden tractor in your garden effectively, you need lots of open area on all four sides of the garden so that the tractor can leave the garden area on each pass and turn around on the lawn for the next pass. Most of the experienced gardeners cross-till the soil and some take it further by finishing on the bias. I think that your needs would be better served in the garden by way of a quality walk-behind, rear-tine tiller from Honda or BCS from the used market. After all, most people only conduct a full-till once or twice per growing season and then spot-till during the season for weed control and re-seeding of fast growing crops such as radishes, onions, lettuce etc. You already own a Mantis and those are perfect for spot-tilling. I think that your other needs would be well-served by way of a quality, used garden tractor that is simple for you to maintain. A Case 444 would fit that bill. As good as Deere and Simplicity tractors are, they are also a royal PITA to work on. Do some research by visiting the site below and learning more about what a Case can do for you. Here is a link that might be useful: link

I doubt it is bad gas but it may be something rolling around in the gas tank blocking the tank outlet part time. I would also check the vacuum line running from the engine block to the bottom of the fuel pump on the front of the carb (when looking at the Intake manifold side of the engine) Is the gas tank outlet above or below the carb inlet? I know you said he put in a new carb kit but I would still remove the hex head plug on the lower right side of the carb and see what comes out. Should be clean gas, no water or crap. Walt Conner

Both would be welcome in my garden, but I love the color, shape and pleating on the first one just a teeny bit better. That being said, they would both be keepers in my garden. I must get Victorian Lace! Ann

Thank you all for all the comments here. I have a nest though while no eggs (3 robins fledged successfully ages ago) the nest remains the parents home. Issue is it's under my bedroom window in ivy which due to leaving them so long, its now completely covered the window and onto the roof. I'm going to build a box as shown by rober49 (thank you) and place it under the eaves for protection. The nest is huge and looks very solid (i.e., been in use a very long time). The robins eat from my hand (as did their babies) so trusting they will understand, forgive and continue using their relocated nest. The UK robins are tiny compared to those in the US. Ours are a fair bit smaller than a tennis ball. I think your's are on steroids. Thank you all ... feeling much happier about this.