Welcome to the internet & opinions. No matter the product, someone has had a problem with it or has an ax to grind. You are on the right track (hydro, v-twin etc). Trust your instincts and believe about 80% of what you read.

My advice would be go drive the things. I have a simplicity conquest and love it and the dealer let me drive it for a few hours. Different strokes for different folks

I've dealt with one dealer, who delivered a tractor to my house and let me try it it for a couple of weeks. However, that may have been a rare dealer.

I didn't like the one he brought, but got a different one from him.

The tractors are all good and bad. Select a good name with the features you like, from a dealer with a good history.

Teelee..I agree with the other comments. Get a dealer to let you try one out at your property for a day. Any good dealer will let you see how experiment till you get the one you like. You wouldn't buy a car without driving one...Why an expensive tractor. Regards, Mark in Buffalo

There is one very popular brand, which is I've never been able to understand. They offer a nice machine, good engines, etc. but their engines always seem to be way larger than the deck size, warrants. Or looking at it the other way, the deck size seems way too small for the engine size.

It really isn't that difficult and your price range will dictate your choice to a large extent. I've heard others say to buy the one that makes you happy (that puts a big smile on your face) and then enjoy it. Spend the rest of your energy on taking care of it and learning how to maintain it. Beyond that, just make sure it's orange because all really good tractors are orange ;-)

ps - same goes for chainsaws, blowers and trimmers.

Trust your instincts and believe about 80% of what you read-which 80%?

Which one is that?

Welcome to the world of paralysis by analysis. Us analyticals are doomed by information overload and too many choices. I've narrowed my decision down to JD LA120 and the Craftsman DYS 4500 Mdl. 28738--both comparably equipped. At the under $2,000 price, I don't think there is much difference in quality. The Sears has 4 whls & a 16" turn radius vs the JD with 2 & 18". Sears also has a hand operated speed control vs the JD foot controls & cruise. With a yard full of trees & other multiple turning requirements, I think the hand operated would be less tiring than the foot control & cruise (opinions solicited). I've had two Sears in 20 years and the latter is still running great, but the deck & other metal parts are cancered-out due to living in the rust belt. JD also appeals to me because of its reputation & local service availability. I'll be interested in what you decide and comments from others on these two options

the bonus of the foot controls is having two hands to steer...both craftsman and deere foot pedals(after operating both in heavily wooded and landscaped yards do not get tiring so that is not a worry

teelee Where in Iowa do you live. You must be an engineer. Do you wear both suspenders and a belt? Time to stop picking the fly excrement out of the pepper.

Face it unless you get into the commercial lines, there is not much to choose from in the consumer grades. The biggest differences is Paint Color. While the engines and transmissions are important. Often as not, the items that break are not these. Something a simple as axel hubs on the front wheels, or the steering linkages which in many cases are press fit together. Those are the things that cause the frustrations.

I bought my first riding mower for $1500 from Wal Mart in 1993, though I was really going hole hog. The engine and tranny worked perfectly, the mower itself disolved down around them and in the end, there was nothing left but the engine and tranny, the deck was trashed and the steering and wheel hubs were totaled.

Go figure!!!!

Find a good dealer and work with him and ride everything you are looking at on your own property would be best, but at least ride each for awhile.

Good luck.....

I never cease to be baffled by those with a 2k budget who dismiss the Simplicity Regent , whose lowest priced model can be had for $1799 after a $300 rebate . Sure the Kohler Courage 18 horse single isn't a twin , but since many have posted the engines of today will outlast the chassis shouldn't getting the most sturdy chassis for the money be the main concern ? Or maybe it's the 38" deck causing a few minutes more of mowing time ? I've had my Simplicity Broadmoor for over two years now - 18 horse Briggs Vanguard 38" deck and have had zero problems with it . For the most bang for the buck , surely the Regent deserves some consideration !