My best advise is to use the OEM parts and watch the tightening of top nut. Me, I can zip them on w/ an impact all day and be fine. If they are over tightened typically the top bearing will fail and it may hog the pulley out. If they are under tightened- they will eventually chew out the spline. Auto parts stores will have loaner torque wrenches or a basic beam style wrench is available for cheap. You are looking for about 60 foot pounds.

I have a scotts 2046 (20hp/46 deck) - this information below is found under the seat - it even tells me the age of the unit. Tractor Serial Numbers: GSX2046010750 20V46T DATE: 110698 Says "Deere and company" on the sticker Engine Model number: 406777 Type: 0115E1 I paid $250 for mine - it had a flat tire and some other minor issues. Since it was a John Deere Sabre clone - I felt I was making a relatively safe purchase. I have found my scotts to be very reliable and a comfortable unit (I like it a lot) . 1) I probably would be happy with a smaller engine for fuel consumption purposes (im really cheap) ... A single cylinder would have been fine for my 1 acre of mow-able property (2.5 acres total). But the V-twin is soooo smooth... 2) I wish I had a slightly smaller deck (mines a 46") ... I cant get my scotts through the shed door. Very important for winter storage. Thinking about it - Im not really complaining about the motor - as I use the scotts to pull a lawn cart around with never a problem (fill and firewood). As for power - I have more power than I know what to do with. Heck - most times I mow the lawn with the engine actually idling. Except when Im having company - I might go just above idle for a nicer finish on the lawn. Mine has a hand controlled Hydrostatic on the right side rear fender. Reverse is a bit whimpy - forward is fine. You should check this on your next purchase. Gear drive trannies (in my opinion) are a little less friendly to shift and manipulate when mowing - However they tend to be more durable. A bulletproof hydro tranny equates to a big buck tractor... If you dont have a lot of obstacles then it wont matter much. I must admit I really like the hand controlled hydro tranny - others swear by the foot controlled units. I would not let a hand or a foot operated hydro be a deciding factor in the purchase. (unless of course a disability gets factored into the equation). One bummer for me is that Im having trouble finding a bagger for my unit - I really could use a bagger for fall cleanup. Apparently their in the range of $700 dollars and I only spent 250 on the mower ... So Im still looking for a used bagger. If you think you need a bagger ( then know it up front ) as finding one later could be a problem. Another thing - you should note these units are not industrial strength GARDEN TRACTORS and putting them through hard labor; such as towing stone up and down the yard isnt something they were designed for (unless you have a level property - i dont). For example I move a lot of stone on my sloping property - I use an old Sears rider with a 5-speed gear tranny for that type of work. With the idea that I dont want to burn up the hydro pulling big weight around - I probably would be fine, but I like the little 10hp sears for this type of work for some reason. I think you found a decent deal, and with your back problems you will immediately appreciate a riding mower. Regardless of your decision, good luck to you - and happy mowing. Dave

Because you're still wrestlin' with the problem, I'm gonna throw in another 2 cents - so, you're into me for 4 cents, now. wavinwayne is right about the JD network. Deere supports their equipment for a long time after manufacture of any given model ceases. My Deere dealer is primarily in business for agriculture, but has had in stock every part for my old STX-38's that I've ever needed. And their prices have never been out of line, that I can tell. Can't speak about Sears support. But keep in mind that most of the parts you're going to need are available from a variety of places - belts, filters, blades, an occasional battery or tire, and engine parts (which will be from Briggs, or Kawasaki, or Kohler - not the tractor manufacturer.) Deere, Husqvarna, MTD - none of them actually make the parts that I've listed. They buy the engines, transmissions, belts, tires, batteries, etc. from suppliers, and these things are available from nearly any lawn equipment repair shop. Still, there may be a requirement to replace some part that must come from the manufacturer. jopopsy recommends the Snapper rear-engine rider. For the size and description of your property, I think the Snapper RER would be an excellent machine. I didn't recommend it in my first response because you said you wanted to pull an aerator. Except for that, the Snapper would have been my first recommendation (note that this is an opinion). My 96-year-old mother has a Snapper RER that is at least 30 years old, and still plugging along (both my mother and the mower). That old machine has seen more use and abuse than any lawn mower I've ever seen. I've said before, the Snapper RER aint purty, and it ain't sexy - what it is is one hell-for-stout lawn mower. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the machines mentioned so far. If there is a Lowe's near you, go by and take a look at the Husqvarna that they sell for $1499 - it appears to me to be an excellent buy at that price. If there's a Husqvarna dealer in the neighborhood, he'll probably have it at the same price.

If you have a slope your better off to stick with a geared transmission. However if you have to have a hydro make SURE that it is a K66 or better. The light duty K46 units aren't durable enough for anything but flat ground. Designations tell you a lot. LT=Lawn Tractor GT=Garden Tractor. Garden tractors are rated to pull ground engaging implements and lawn mowing is child's play for them. When you get into decks over 42" inches in a Big Box LT your looking at an over powered unit on a light frame that IMHO is NOT the best way to go on anything but a flat "not to big" yard. I just sold an old Craftsman GT 6000 that I'm sure will still be running 10 years from now. Unless you get into commercial duty, zero turn units are the repair centers best friend. Children's college educations are being paid for by the fathers repairing these machines. Craftsman mowers have been recommended. I second that. I have not been skunked yet on parts availability from Sears. Ebay is also a great place for Craftsman parts as well as others. If your going to keep the machine for years and want a large deck figure on an up scale model that has the heavier components. It will cost you $3500+ If price is a big consideration buy an inexpensive 38 or 42 geared transmission model built By MTD. $999. These units mow just as good as the $1300/$1400 JD's and Cub Cadets and give less problems. You don't need 20 HP for a 42" deck. My 2 cents. What say you?