cub cadet is another product flushed down the [censored] via MTD. Kawasaki engines are my #1 choice. For what your wanting, John Deere would be my choice, and your not going to find a kawasaki powered deere in lowes. Husqvarna also offers a lawn tractor powered by kawasaki and they now offer a fabricated deck (not going to find this at a box store), cheaper tractor with an excellent deck. Parts for Husqvarna/AYP products are much easier to find than MTD junk, not to mention easier to work on. As a price point Zturn, you might check out the sport series Hustler, nice product at a good price with a fabricated (welded) deck, only downfall with the sport is, they use a final drive transmission as opposed to pumps and wheel motors found in more expensive models. But to buy a decent Z youre gonna be dropping + $5K. otherwise youre getting a toy. Scag is the real deal, but you get what you pay for, and in my business, i wont accept anything less than a turf tiger powered by a kawasaki. Kohler is no where near up to snuff and their courage engine is junk. Honda engines are usually underpowered gas guzzlers compared to kawasaki. If I had to have a 2nd choice engine, it would be a briggs vanguard, not your every day briggs & stratton. This is coming from a person with a fleet of mowers used 9+ hours a day 6 days a week, they only get breaks on sunday and in the winter. For a homeowner with up to 2 acers to mow, a Z isnt necessary in my honest opinion.
