Bet your are proud of that one and glad you didn't get a green and yellow one.

It's probably just me, but if a co. can't put a decal or ID number that lasts then they have a quality control issue. The JD paint is /was about poor for 10 years, it would get a small leak under the paint to metal, and then just peal in big chunks, like no primer had ever been used, maybe it's called powder paint?

Actually, one feature I liked on the green and yellow ones in my price range was the plastic hood. That should look good for a lot of years. (As long as the mounts hold up!)

I kept my last tractor looking good for a couple years, then it was all about keeping it greased and working. I'll definately keep everybody up to date on service/ quality issues. I know a lot of people look to craftsman for more tractor than they can afford otherwise. By things I remember, much better design and build than my last Poulan and it has lasted 8 years with only minor problems. (Other than the ones I caused by trying to mow boulders and such.)

Battery and solenoid more accessable. Filters and drains better as well. Guess that second credit should go to Kohler.

I got my new 27HP Pro delivered last Saturday. I like you have not had the opportunity to use it but should be able to tonight as it is supposed to be in the 70's today. Like you, I'm not crazy about the visual guide height adjustment either, but what concerns me more is how the ball screw shaft that moves the deck up and down is so overly exposed to dirt and mud. The electric motor looks to pretty well sealed, although I'm not convinced it will remain so for 15 years or more (my old GT6000 is a 1991 and still going strong). I may fab some kind of shield to protect the motor and shaft, if so I'll let you know.

I did get to mow with mine yesterday. Ran well and cut nice. For this first time I measured the blade height at 2.5" and everything seemed to be level and nice.

Did have some problems on the hill and looks like I will only be able to get at 85% of my lawn safely. MAybe a little more as lawn matures. HAving the positraction on the simplicity 300 would have been great, but that was 2 grand more and out of my budget this year. My issue isn't power, it's weight distributed off of drive wheel. For two grand, I will push the other 15% for a couple years!!! Looks like this tractor will make a good wagon puller for many years at the least.

Drdave, I agree with your assesment of deck lift entirely. At least it seems fairly easy to access for replacement. We'll see. Hope you enjoy it. Your deck is the 50" or 54" isn't it? My deck seems a little weird to look at. Seems the blades are right at the bottom of the skirt. Even at 2.5" cut height it looked like my deck was retracted. Let us know how it works out.

Between you, my neighbor and I we should be able to give these guys a good idea on this series. Have fun!

Oh, yea. Make sure you let the air out of the tires per the manual. I was gonna skip that, but found that they were more than DOUBLE max rating. (rears were 25 psi, max is 10)Say they overinflate for transportation. I assumed a few pounds, but that was crazy!

I also forgot to put my bumper on. Too excited at first rays. I took the afternoon off. :)