I wouldn't want to have a "Green Machine" and have the deck rot out in 5 years. Especially if the Home owner has a lawn service to make his lawn weed free.There is only a handful of people that rinse their deck off after each use. Then I had a small engine shop not to do it because it will rinse the grease out of the spindles. Have you priced a mower deck lately? I would expect at least 15 - 20 years out of a mower deck. My craftsman is coming up on 19 years. it is ready for its 2nd set of spindle bearings. Deck is still good. When I get a new mower, I will defiantly undercoat the deck. Even if ti is with roofing cement. They say painting underneath will disrupt the the grass coming out. Too bad. It will get mulched more. Low end is cheap end. Look at an MTD snowblower a few years old. It is a rust bucket . My Dad's Ariens from 1976 is clean. If you want good longevity, Put come money out. If you want a cheap lawn tractor , that is exactly what you will get. Low end lawn tractors are just like Major Kitchen Appliances. The guy at the counter of the appliance parts store told me , Just get the one you like, They're all junk.