"Just purchased my fist John Deere and have been very happy with the performance of the tractor and the 42 inch single stage snow blower. I have used it in five snow storms this year. I have a Bolens 1053 with a 36 inch single stage blower which is very sensitive to wet snow and plugging. The JD unit goes through dry or wet snow with ease, even the snow at the end of the driveway. The tractor needed weights added to the back for traction. I put four 42# weights on and it goes anywhere."