"7 iron deck and lots of power make this one of the most valuable tools I have ever owned. I am a demanding user and mow several miles of Walking trails through the timber. Between Russian olive and the never ending carpet of walnuts, dead limbs and horse weeds this fella gets a work out. 2 deck belts and one spindle assembly, (from a dead stop hit on an old iron fence post) is the total replacements. The unit is a gas model and when worked hard gets thirsty much more so than the Ole 430 Deere it put out to pasture. Oil, 10/40 year round and a filter every change. I do them on a 30 hr. schedule unless the grass mowing has been lite and then it may go out to 40. I mow about 110-130 hours a year. Everyone has a favorite I am sure, but if this one were to be gone in the AM I would be at the dealer the next afternoon. R Green. "