Choices on beginner Lawn tractor

I started shopping the last week and have settled on 2 units but I am open to anyones insight. I would love to get some input on these.

First unit I got from Lowes is a Troy Built Super Bronco with 21hp Vtwin Intec Briggs. It has a 42 inch deck with with the option for Deck washer plug (at this time I can not find the deckwasher part though). It is automatic with mow in reverse (with lever at fender).

I am pretty happy with the unit power and speed but feel like I might be making a mistake. So I was thinking of exchanging it for...

Cub Cadet LT 1042 with 19 hp Kohler motor with 42inch, auto with mow in reverse(at foot pedal) and deck washer installed.

My questions is should I worry about this? Both are made by MTD from what I understand. The Troy is 1499 and the CC is 1599. Both have the exact chassis and body (not hood).

Does the 19 vs 21hp make a difference? The Kohler says its quieter and smoother than others but is that true with the Vtwin Briggs? Is the deck washer worth it?
Does the plastic hood make a diffrence?
Cost for repair if anything happens big different?

Any input would be great.

Thanks
Monte

I wouldn't pay more for a deck cleanout nozzle...those things don't work near as well as getting the tractor up on ramps and hosing it down with a pressure washer.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you end up with.

The cub has shaft drive and that elininates one more belt and pulley to replace. So far as Kohler and Briggs, I have never owned a Kohler but I know there is a fierce loyalty to the brand.

On a general note, having nothing to do specifically with these machines:

1. Consider turning radius. Particularly a zero turn radius machines. If you're going to be circling trees and manuevering around sheds and garden plots and such the turning radius of a machine becomes very significant. The wider a turning circle the more you're going to need to use a hand mower, and that's just a pain.

2. Consider how it shifts. The harder it is to shift the less willing you'll be to do it. Those variable speed hydrostat units are wonderfull, and you'll change speed and reverse in a heartbeat, where with the hand lever type, you'll find yourself doing all kinds of things to avoid shifting.

3. Consider weight balance if you've got slopes or want to push snow. Front engine machines do very poorly on hills and such, and are a real bear to lift out when they get stuck in a hole or such. A rear engine unit has much better traction. It also has a much lighter nose.

4. Make sure deck width is right for you. I like large decks also. But, it limits where you can go. If you've got lots of areas where you need to snake a mower through, a big deck prevents you from doing the job. There's a whole lot of my yard I can't do with my 44" deck.

Let me clear a few things up. I'm pretty tall and my back problems are muscle spasm related, that being said the issue with push/self propelled is the height of them. I tend to end up hunching over them to much. It takes me 1 hour constant to mow at a very fast pace with push/propelled mower and then 45 mins to weedeat and blow off. I mowed for the first time with the Troy Bilt yesterday and it took almost no time to mow (and was alot more fun :) and afterwards my back was great. Definatly happy with the riding vs pushing aspect.

After the first mowing the Super Bronco did pretty good. I have a pretty bumpy lawn (just bought the house 6 months ago) and had some tough areas for scapling. The Troy Bilt has two rear anti scalp wheels vs the Cub has 4 anti scalp wheels. I think that might be a factor for me.

Engine, the Vtwin B&G 21hp was fine and was pretty smooth. I wonder if I could tell the difference between the Kohler 19hp unit handling and power wise?

Resale, I do think the Cub will have a better resale after 5 years or so. Even though the Troy Bilt and Cub are almost 100% the same unit. Both have the same chassis, front end and wheels. What seems different is the hood (plastic for Cub like JD), battery location (rear on Troy) and reverse foot pedal for Cub.

I think today after doing some reading I might decide and get my mind made up.

I have 30 days from Lowes to exchange for the Cub. It will end up costing me about $150 to go with Cub.

Another option is last years model Cub Cadet. It has the same body/chassis just lacks the deck washer and has a B&S instead of Kohlor but only costs 1299. The Troy was 1499 and the new cub is 1599. Any of the above come with trailer, so its not to bad of a deal.

Thanks