Depending on how level your sod is, will kinda determine just how big a deck you can efficiently use. I use a 54, 60, and 72 decks..and wish I had a 144" (some day) flex wing. I've also got some 40-48". The smaller they are, the less scalping they do, over stating the obvious, eh ? My front decks are the most efficient at mowing and trimming around stuff.. 2X as fast as a tractor belly deck. Money is going to play a big factor in your compromise as it does all of us. I can tell you that a compact tractor will be invaluable if you have an acreage needing mowing, rock and soil moving, tree planting/removal, etc. a 3 pt finish mower on the back will be easy to hook up and quick to use.. mows the big areas fast. Get a smaller front deck for around the house , circling the trees for the trimming, the CUT will let you mount a tiller, etc for all those home improvement dirt related projects as well. log splitter for firewood.. the list is endless and goes on and on. Plus the little diesel will have enough power to run a generator on the pto so you can have power during the ice storm outages.. I agree the JD green paint will be the highest priced.. the Kubota and kioti are good values.. mahinda has a good rep, and the bobcat cut's are built by kioti. I'm big on the hydro trans for ease of use for both you and Dorothy. How many acres with the house ? do you have a hard surface road adjoining ? and hard surface driveway ? city or rural water ? nat gas, propane or elec ? Hey, we're all living vicariously thru your epic move <G> Jim The guy with lots'_0_questions _____ From: elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of stillfranksfault@xxxxxxx Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 8:50 AM To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [elky] Re: update 1 acre, slightly rolling down to the basement door. Frank -----Original Message----- From: Jim <jdos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:06 pm Subject: [elky] Re: update Frank, How big will your grass lawn be ? _____ From: elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?> ] On Behalf Of stillfranksfault@xxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 4:12 PM To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [elky] Re: update Thanks Brian, yeah, so far it's been all pleasant surprises. PS: walked around a home depot to get out, saw a few john deer tractors, 1200.oo - 2500.oo Hmmmmmmm???? -----Original Message----- From: Mongar, Brian <Brian.Mongar@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:07 pm Subject: [elky] Re: update Congrats Frank, sorry I missed the first emails about your finding a place. Funny how things don't always get noticed until you stand there awhile or someone points them out :-) From: elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:elky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?> ] On Behalf Of Mary McCarthy Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 1:05 PM To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [elky] Re: update movers don't charge to get themselves home. Our mover was from NC, I cannot imagine paying his return trip. Good to hear you found a great house. Not like we didn't tell you so or nuttin'. Your neighbor's dogs will not protect their big bag of purina at your house. Neighbors are like the lottery - I hope you got winners. that multiple listing No?????? Mary Yeah, Ya see, the way they are looking at it is that it's 50 there and 50 back. Then double that because they leave the pod, and return to pick it up at another time. Sooooooooo ............. it's a total of 200 miles over estimate. Update on the inspection: The house was incredible, the home inspector and I could not find anything that needs to be addressed. I was shocked at all the upgrades he did that we did not notice the first go around. It is an excellent value, and shows to be worth every penny. We don't need a dog as we were visited by the neighbors two dogs, very friendly, and we don't have to feed them. LOL The only unknown factor at this point are the neighbors themselves, I guess we will find that out when we are moved in. Frank