MTD

I personally would go about this like you would buy a used car, with the added caveat of how the deck sounds as they are run up. They were really made for cutting an acre of lawn when they were built. Does one feel better to you? That being said, if they were serviced w/ care- pricing isn't too bad. Maybe a his and her's kind of deal and offer $550 for both!

I would lean toward the Yard Machines (MTD) tractor over the Murray for the following reasons:

The MTD is newer and should have a Briggs OHV engine. It was built 2003, so 10 years old.

The Murray is probably a 1995 and has a Briggs flat head. Also Murray has gone out of business and Briggs & Stratton acquired them thru bankruptcy auction. Briggs aftermarket support is spotty, and the Briggs corporate position is that they would rather you replace your 18 year old machine.

On the down side, the Yard Machine has quite a few miles, as they have nearly worn out one of the front tires. Tires are easily replaced, but this tells me the machine has been around the block a few times. Also someone bid and won the machine, and then backed out. Probably didn't like things when they saw it in person.

If the MTD passes the sniff test when you see it, go ahead. Otherwise, I'd keep looking, if you don't feel right about it. Can't recommend the Murray at all.

Murray is no longer a company, it is defunct. briggs engines on those riders still have support at briggs but all murray parts may not be available. i'm not a fan of MTD at all so if i was to give advice i would say "wait for a toro to come on the market, u will pay more and it will be worth it" i also like snappers (for longevity- more maintenance but they never die permanently). ot its just a choice between the 2, take the mtd at least if a non-engine part breaks u can still replace it.