I wish I would have followed that advice as well...buy a nice used commercial grade piece of equipment rathern than spending $2500 on a consumer model.
In 2007, unfortunately I opted for the consumer grade approach....Cub Cadet SLT 1550 with a 25hp Kohler Courage V-twin. I've taken good care of it, changed the oil once a season (15W-50 HDEO, using Purolator filters). I change the air filter several times a season. For the first 6 years I kept it in the garage, power washed it almost every time I used it, and generally treated it very well.
This past year, I had to resort to keeping it outside under a cover. That's when things started to go downhill. Corrosion is now my bigggest enemy. All the welds on the deck are now rusty. The aluminum block has white chalky corrsion everywhere. Even the wire insulation is starting to suffer. The stamped metal deck, the sheetmetal floorboards, the wheels, all are starting to show signs of corrosion. The metal is so thin, that it won't take long to rust through and cause me more serious problems. I've also had the starter ring gear split on the flywheel...had to TIG weld it back together....twice. The motor has been fine other that that annnoying problem.
Recently, I've tried to rectify my ill ways. Purchased a 1964 Cub Cadet Model 70 tractor with a REAL Kohler that I will be restoring. I can't believe the difference in build quality between a "real" IH Cub Cadet (which is truly a miniature tractor) and the glorified lawmower that has a Cub Cadet decal.
If you don't mind buying used, and can get the parts support you need, then I think this is the best approach. If I had to do it all over again, that's what I would do.
