After thorough research (or so I thought) I decided to purchase the Cub Cadet GT1554 "garden tractor" for $3, 100. The first summer: Believing I could simply mow grass with the piece of junk was my first downfall...The deck would hold more grass than a grass bagger will...and "no", the grass wasn't wet or extraordinarily tall...guess what happens next...the deck belt broke...well, it IS only $32 to replace...luckily it was under warranty...but wait! What was that the repair man said when I brought it in? "Did I purchase an extended warranty on it?" Well, no. Why do you ask Mr. Repairman? Why are you chuckling? Ohhhh...I need another deck belt within a couple of weeks... SUMMER #2: "Why is that front wheel wobbling that way Mr. Repairman? Why are you still laughing?"----The front wheels don't have wheel bearings? C'mon...seriously? You bet...just plain old teflon sleeve inserts (with molded PLASTIC grease fittings that fit inside the axel housing..."But I paid $3, 100. Doesn't that mean anything?" Yep. It means MTD is getting rich. -----This mower, and every other one I've seen, is simply a Wal-Mart "Yard Machine" on steroids. Junk, Junk, Junk. I only have 137 hours on it, but at 124 hours (SUMMER #3, this current year), the drive belt breaks...I replace it...4 hours later, it breaks again...I replace it...Breaks again...Hmmmm, something is defintely not right here...Then I do further inspection and find the freaking belt is resting against the steering shaft causing the obvious problem..."Hi...Mr. Repairman? It's me again. Please stop laughing. Yeah, I figured the idler pulley is probably bent, but how in the name of God can that happend when I am simply mowing grass?" Here's another kicker...I go to the Tractor Supply Store to purchase new blades for the SOB...I bought "genuine" Cub Cadet blades "Made for 54" decks"...I take'm home---THEY DON"T FIT!!!?????? Ohhhhh...my bad...I should've known I needed to purchase "genuine" MTD blades...they fit perfect. *****I probably won't get any refund out of this soup sandwhich of a mess, BUT...BUT...I vow to tell anyone and everyone that listens to never buy a Cub Cadet (Shitdeck) with any aspirations of it lasting like they used to (when International made them). "John Deer... here I come!!!"