I bought the Sears Craftsman GT 6000
It has a Kohler 26Hp with a 52" cut. I love the thing. It is easy to get to to change the
oil and filters and rides nice. I have had zero problems with it.
Can't remember what I paid for it. I bought it just as they were getting everything ready for Christmas, so I got a good deal on it. I have no idea what they cost now.
A neighbor bought a John Deer at the same time that he got rid of at the end of the first year because of all the problems he was having with it. However I do believe it was one of those Home Depot Deers and not a real John Deer. I did not know there was a difference but apparently there is.
If I had my choice I would have bought a New Holland. It cost a little over $10K at the time for a 52'' cut. That was a tad more than I wanted to spend. If you look in my gallery I have pictures on my New Holland TC45D farm tractor. It is the best piece of equipment I have ever owned, period.