ironpony said:
it is going to be hard to find a good new lawn tractor, to much outsourcing of parts
I'm in the same boat as the OP, and I've been coming up short in my search. Every dealer I talk to says the market for quality garden tractors has shrunken due to the fact that most everybody thinks they need a strong tractor for ground work but they really end up mowing most of the time with the machine. For that, the ZTR mowers have them beat hands down. I want to do more than just mow, a lot more. Not much out there under $7K that will do what I need.
Kioti is coming out with a sub-compact diesel tractor this spring. No published pricing yet, but the dealer says they will be above $8K without a deck. That's almost twice my budget. He also carries ExMark equipment, and they have a residential series (Quest) ZTR for $3500 that looks pretty well made. It has a 26 HP Kaw twin in it. Top speed is over 7 MPH, and they are supposed to cut pretty nice at higher speeds if they terrain isn't too bumpy. My property is flat and smooth, so I am leaning that way. Then I am planing to be patient and wait for an old ag tractor with a FEL for the heavy work. I see nice ones all the time on CL for under $4K, but I've never needed one until now.
At least that's the plan tonight. Spring is still a long ways away. ;-)