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 put a new 18hp Honda engine on my CC1862 in March of 05. This was a complete KIT to fit a CC682. It included adaptors to make the engine fit the existing holes in the chassis and make your existing electric belt clutch also fit the engine. It also included a new muffler and an adaptor to hook up the drive shaft. Every thing worked out nicely, except the muffler output is in the wrong place for the 1862, since it was ordered for a 682. The 1862 kit did not exist at that time. I just left off the plastic front piece and the plastic hood. There was also a little issue to hooking up the electrical wiring, but they helped me with this. Since you will be ordering the correct kit all these problems should not be an issue. I am pleased with this installation and would do it again. It is my favorite lawn tractor, and I have several. I also don't care if it has a hood or not. I could put the hood back on it if I moved the exhaust output from the supplied muffler to the place necessary for this little tractor. This kit cost $1,340 in March 06, including freight of $90 delivered to my home. I would do it again. They now have a complete kit to fit your cc1862 for $1,650, which includes a 24hp Honda engine. You can contact them at http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/RepowerItems.asp?Brand=Cub%20Cadet&Model=1862. Phone (800) 321-6725

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

Thanks everyone! I'm still loving this color and think Rockport is definitely my favorite of the grays I've done thus far. rmkitchen, I guess the Rockport looks lighter on the exterior? Chardie, I would love to see your stairs! caminnc, can't wait to see your dining room! Mush, that's the color combo I am going for. Cream sofa, tan drapes. I want to add a bit more turquoise and a splash of orange with pillows and accessories. Maybe next month! catkin, I'll try to post some tomorrow. We've been out of town and I'm on the wrong computer. In the meantime, you can probably find photos by searching my name and the colors I've used. Here is a link that might be useful: Here's my foyer