IN MY OPINION
my opinion,since it is plagued by rearend problems or
transmission or transaxle problems, so to speak.
It is sold as an automatic, but is not a true hydrostactic, or
hydraulic model as john deere, some craftsman or ayp
models.It has a variable speed pulley connected to the
foot pedal instead of the handle on side as most older
mtds have,thus it has two drive belts to replace and they
are difficult to replace.IF you own one I SUGGEST you
keep the owners manual for a complete break down of
the replacement, since the steering column has to come
loose from bottom,as a matter of fact the deck will have to
be removed to accomplish this task.Being a variable
speed pulley setup you can expect to change belts at
least once a season if you have a sizable lawn.
This particular model has a 22 hp intek briggs an stratton
engine,which undoubetly was the main selling point for
this customer,the engine will long outlast this mower,very
fine engine,with only a 42 inch cutting deck.I will have to
admit the front axle was also strong enough to support it,
but it is surrounded with plastic and to my amazement was
not cracked.
AND POTATOES,THE REAREND BREAK
DOWN.