Hi folks, new member as of yesterday - lurker for about 1 month now. I have a bit of a dilema. I need to replace my tractor - a 1991 vintage Wheel Horse 312-8. For various reasons, buying another $4500 - $5000 tractor is not an option now. I need to get something quick to mow - and only mow - my 1 acre yard. My yard is a little rough; a cast front axle is a must. I've been looking at the "box-store" mowers along with what Sears has to offer. I narrowed it down to an MTD Troy Bilt (19HP Kohler, 42" deck) at Lowes for $1169, or a Crafstman Yard Tractor #27662 or #27618. They are identical, except the #618 has a 20HP B&S Intek engine for $1499. The #662 has a 21HP Kohler Pro Courage for $1599. Can I get opinions on which to buy? Is the Kohler engine worth another $100? Or, should I be looking at the Troy Bilt for better than $300 less? I know that at least here, it seems the AYP built Craftsman units are considered a little better quality & value than the MTD mowers. Also, if I were in a position to sell whatever I buy in less than 1 year (due to a job relocation), which would be the smartest buy now? Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have a 3 year old T-B Tru Cut 100, it starts when primed or sprayed but won't stay running on its own. The first outing this spring my wife put some bad gas in it and it obviuosly wouldn't start, I drained the tank, made sure the line was clean, pulled the carb off, cleaned the float bowl, made sure the needle and seat were clean and unblocked, changed the oil, air cleaner and plug. It started right up and has been running good all season til now!!!! My son , a responsible 32 year old, borrowed it, because his was down with a broken cable, said it stalled once while he was mowing, seemed hard to start he said, but he was able to finish his grass, small area BTW, approx. 30 x 40 ft. I got it to my house it took a couple of pulls to get started and seemed to want to shut off. I started to cut went about 50' and it died, took about 8-9 pulls to get it restarted, let it run free over the sidewalk for a minute or so, proceeded to cut again and the same thing happened. Now it only runs when primed or sprayed, will stay running if you keep priming, but dies when you stop. Drained the tank, cleaned the line, etc. as before. Had it apart 5 times since yesterday, same thing, will only run when primed,etc. Any ideas that I may have missed??? Thanks Don