This has certainly been an expensive mower to maintain, worst than my Harley believe it or not. The problem this time is the mower just kept getting wear & weaker going up inclines until it finally wouldn't do it any more in forward or reverse. Took in back to my dealer Blanchard John Deere in Ridge Spring SC & they looked at & called me & stated that it needs the drive belts & spindles replaced at a cost of $825.00. Which I think is out of line. Called two other dealers & they both stated that it should not cost over $500, which I can live with. I had already taken the deck & grass shoot off but don't have anything to lift the mower up high enough for me to reach the drive belts. My part wasn't difficult & I can't see what a big deal it would be to reach & replace the needed parts if you have a lift to get to them. So am I getting ripped off or what? By the way I also own a 20 year old Craftsman Pro 20hp which has cost very little to work on, what little work it has needed, and it is a 42 inch cut & twice the mower that the JD is. I think I'll stick with Craftsman or maybe a Snapper from now own. Had an old Snapper rear engine riding mower that my Dad owned for 25 years & then gave it to me & I used it for 10 years or so until I sold it to a friend who still uses it. It's probably close to 40 years old now.