I'm thinking of buying a riding mower for my less than acre, flat lot. I have had a Sears hydro 3000 for several years and like it a lot but I'll keep it at my girl friend's house for when I have to cut her yard and just buy me a new one.

I have it pretty much boiled down to 42" models - Husqavarna with 22hp Intek, Craftsman YT4000 with 24hp Platinum and Craftsman Professional with 24hp Pro. I am considering many factors such as one model has a floating deck that I think would be best, another has foot directional control (which I prefer to fender control), tire size, price, weight, etc. One factor I want to also consider of course is the motor but I don't know a thing about them other than they are all twins. I'm sure they will all perform if maintained and probably outlast the rest of the tractor but does anyone know the real difference among these motors and which one is recommended? BTW, any comments concerning my choices of tractors overall would also be most appreciated.