Hi Nancy, I am just a home owner with a 1/2 acre lawn. It looks like you have quite a large property that requires, and indeed has quite an investment in machinery. One thing that I found useful is this web-site. http://www.lawnserviceforum.com/index.php They have a discussion area "Commercial Equipment Discussions" that various professionals talk about mowers, tractors etc and the pro's and cons. They have quite a bit of history as well, so you can usually get a good feel of what equipment is good for what type of lawn. Hope this help. Warmest regards, Mike.

I cannot comment on the Ariens since I have not worked on one. The John Deere parts are easy to get from a JD dealer. The Poulan is part of the Husqvarna group. Many of the Sears riders are made by the Husqvarna group. Generally these hold up ok and parts are easy to get from the mower shops. These are fairly easy to maintain. If you look over the Sears, check the model number under the seat that begins with 917. The 247 models are made by another manufacturer and are usually lighter duty. Most of the troy bilt and bolens sold at lowes are (in my opinion)lighter duty than the mowers from the Husqvarna group. Both of these are manufactured by the MTD company. Parts are available from many dealers and the distributors. The Troybilt with the automatic is frequently the vari drive system. Belts are hard to change on models with the vari drive.

This is my backyard. It's huge! For my area, at least. That was taken last year when we first bought the house. But it doesn't look any different right now. Outside of the picture on the bottom right we've got a 12 x 15 shed. We're going to be putting in a salt water lagoon like pool on the right and a second garage for DH to work in on the left. Don't know exactly when, but I get my pool before the garage. My "garden" is gunna be in my front yard. It's decent size. I've got plenty of room to work with, since I'm a beginner. I've never had my own garden. I can't wait until the inside of the house is finished so I can bring my attention to the outside. There are some rose bushes that have been there since the late 60s that were transplanted from the family ranch that had been around since the turn of the century. I really don't like roses, but I just can't get rid of them because of the history. And the fact that our neighbor hates them. He's a giant butt, so they stay.

I like the Toro personal Pace...but the dealer model. The one with the alloy deck. I was suspicious when they went to the no-prime model...but several years in ..no problems. I did not opt for the electric start...it always starts on one or two pulls. I am not sure what engine is on the current model...if they went back to briggs or not. Mine has some no name engine but has run fine for several years now. I will admit I also have a lawn tractor so the Toro is mostly used in the front and around the perimeter. That having been said, my original Toto personal Pace was 14 or so years old before I go the new one. I still use 'Ole Smokey' for scrunching up twigs and leaves. I cannot attest to how it bags..I mulch. It does an excellent job. Even in taller grass. Very seldom do I get any clipping trails. I suggest you change the oil, plug and filter each year. It's very simple. They sell a little kit with everything you need. Ideally you will sharpen the blades each year too. I also have quite a bit of experience with the $399 Honda jobber. I hate the thing. We use at my in-laws since Pop passed and his old snapper blew up...I was not a fan of the snapper either...His model was too heavy and not a great mulcher. I am not sure they even make Snapper anymore..if they do it probably some rebranded thing.... They ended up getting the Honda...the thing is worst mulcher in the world. Unless you plan on being out there every other day you will get a trail of grass. If you have a hill and need to walk it horizonattly, the thing literally slides down the hill. Futher we have had to replace a wheel have the auto trans thing adjusted. I recommend the Toro which performed much better while the Honda was being worked on. The most important thing I have found is to ALWAYS use ethanol Treatment in your gas. I throw in some Seafoam as well. I also run thing bone dry in the fall before I put it away for the year. I have not had an issue. Use a dealer. They will be there for you for service and warranty work. There prices are the same as the box store however they also have better models the box stores may not sell. I think the Toro I got was $499...that's about $100 more than the cheapie model at the box stores...however the dealer also sold the cheapie for the same price. Plus you can try it there and decide if the Personal Pace system is for you.