Top: AM121573 Frame: AM129832BLE (hopper frame), M131709BLE (stays on tractor), and AM124653BLE (main support) Bags: AM125269 (bag frame), AM135485 (bag) Chute: AM145781 (non Pwr-flo) I didn't see any one all-encompassing kit, but those are the big ticket items. Not sure whether those part numbers include all the nuts, bolts, washers, clips, etc. I have the 7 bushel bagger for my GT225. It's nothing fantastic. It is considerably better than my neighbor's Cub Cadet (generic MTD) bagger system. But a non-powerflow collection system certainly has its limits. I recently mothballed my 42C and bagger in favor of a 44M Piranha. So far so good. Don't forget the hi-lift blades or the collection system will be useless. Also, when you use it, tap the bag to the right periodically to keep tabs on its level. If you wait till the flow indicator indicates no-flow, the chute is already stuffed with clippings, and you'll have to unhook it and shake it to clear it out. As long as you never let the right side bag fill all the way up, you won't clog the chute. In reference to the bags in bags, the airflow needs to vent out the mesh collection bags to work properly. If you stuff garbage bags inside them, you block the airflow. If it's not picking up the clippings with the standard bags, you can get hi-flow bags (the tradeoff being that small particles are no longer filterd by the bags). It was a good try, though.

I bought a Huskee lawn tractor about 2003. But They came with 46 inch deck and a single speed transmission to select forward or reverse. It was $1300. Not cheap, but the belt/gear drive pulls my hills without overheating or whineing. At the same time, TSC had a garden tractor with a 50 (or 54) inch mower and a tranny with 2 speeds forward and reverse. While the tranny had 1 inch axles compared to the 3/4 inch axles on the lawn tractor, it used the same double belt drive (same parts). As I remember, LO range was 1/2 the speed of HI on this tractor. Price varied with one that was marked $2,000 and another better model marked $3,000. But the bottom line is do you want a varible speed belt drive (shifting is required between forward and reverse, unlike a hydro), and is the unit in excellent shape. These are MTD's and not the most desired tractors. JerryO

OK... After looking at every new and used riding mower at $1000 or less in the Orlando FL area, I think I have found my first and last riding mower. It is $999.00 (which is $200 more then I have, until my disability checks kick in) for the Huskee® 42 in. 18.5 HP* LT 42 Tractor and I may be able to get a 10% military discount as well! Please let me know what you think as my little brain is fried after a 2 day exhausting research and seek mission. I thought about a walk behind to save money, but since my back surgery I can't walk for more the 20 min straight and we have .43 acre to mow in this killer heat. Thanks

I thank all of you, lawnmowerman07, tekumcman, altbob and ac.d17iv for your quick responses. They are a great help to me. I'm psyched to check out the Simplicity further. I looked at the Snapper LT200 yesterday, but my local dealer wanted to push me to the LT300 by saying the 200 wouldn't strong enough for what I want to do. Funny thing is, the LT300 doesn't come with a 50" cut like the LT200 and the engine isn't any bigger, you have to go to the LT400 for a bigger cut equivalent to the LT200, which is way beyond my price range. I'm not sure what you get for an extra $1K or so other than auto traction control. I'm not convinced he knew what he was talking about. Tekcumcman, fortunately for my neighbor, his Toro is about 6 years old that he bought the same local dealer who sells Simplicity, so I'm pretty sure it's a Wheel Horse not an MTD "special". Not sure which model, though. Your estimate for my Murray is right on, too.