simplicity lawn/garden tractors

[OS OK]

None of these models are going to run maintenance free...you have to do that or even the most expensive, most desired units will self destruct from lack of attention.
I've got a 12 year old (I think 12, it's been a long time ago I got her) Deer Z425 that has been worry free all those years but it's had proper maintenance and constant blade dressing to keep it sharp & balanced.
I've had to replace the main belt twice & the hydraulic belt once, it gets an oil & filter change every spring, new air filter & I keep it blown out all year, the mower shows it's age with a cracked plastic POC yellow seat and the paint is faded and scratched but it keeps on going and doing it's work.
Buy from a dealer, not a big box store...no matter the deal you find to save a $ today, you ain't gonna get no deal by a long shot. You have waited too long for that now. Everything from mowers to a loaf of bread is about double to three times inflated...maybe wait till after the banks collapse and the new depression is in full swing.
There will be good deals everywhere you can get for a song!

[Hogtamer]

I just bought a Husqvarna with heavy duty deck and 23 HP Kawasaki 48” cut from a dealer, $3600. That’s the best value I could find. Maintenance is the ticket

[jonp]

Dixie Chopper

[firefly1957]

My guess is you have/had a seal leaking. Used to see it all the time on 4WD. Water in the diffs or transfer case from leaking seals.

I did replace seals in my Craftsman transmission the first time I tore it down trouble came back pretty fast and it was winter use at the time as I also used it to throw snow . I tore it down second time and tried a higher vent into a glass jar that did nothing for me so I bought a new tractor then installed a Manual transmission off a much older tractor .

[Apple Man]

i have a cub cadet riding mower that was made in hell. probably going to upgrade. any thoughts on a simplicity? trying to find a site they gives the $; but impossible for me to find. and, what is the line of progression cheapest to best. i can't even find that!

Simplicity as other have said is a good brand, but the price ranges greatly. The garden tractor forums would have better advice.

https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_...-tractors.html

Simplicity does cut better due to the manner in which the deck has full contact rollers and follows the terrain much better and gives the "striped look".

Stay away from any machine with a K46 hydro.

[porthos]

well, it seems that the simplicity regent that i am going to buy (when they get it assembled) has the K-46 transmission. i guess that i will just have to take my chances.
i'm using a cub cadet now; it ate the transmission at 36 hours. i won't say what that cost. the hours were under warranty, but it had surpassed the years (3). needless to say no more cub cadets

[wildwilly501]

I bought a regent a couple weeks.Can’t say anything about the longevity but it does mow very nice.My wife’s going to use it I mow with a zero turn.I have 11 acres some of its wooded so I don’t mow it all.But I mowed with the tractor for a couple hours I sure wouldn’t want to have to mow it all with it. It would take a whole day.