I don't think you can drink and drive, or smoke, on a ZTR mower can you? Depending on how much you're mowing maybe one of the smaller JD's from Home Depot or Lowes. My MTD is still going good after 15 years. Just put the second set of bearings on the deck spindles. I know one day it'll die to the point of no repair and i hate the thought of dumping 2-3k out for a new one.