Whatever brand you get, make sure a parts source is nearby......I bought a Deere LT 180 137 hours back and I've replaced the belts and blades once after I took on a football in knee-high grass......and was pissed to find out the shop I bought it from in Silverdale quit selling Deere when Deere let Home Depot in on their action......ended up at Sumner Tractor in Tacoma for the parts.

I liked Craftsman products when we had a parts store in Bremerton, but when they shut that down I was done with Sears.