Well before you take the plunge go to Partstree or Jacks Small engines and search for the Dixon you are looking at
Then one at a time open each of the parts breakdowns and check just how many parts are listed as NLA or discontinued
I have never worked on the disc drives but apparently they are not easy to adjust
My personal opinion would be to look at a wide area self propelled mower and if your fitness level is not up to it a sulky
Other than that you will be looking at Rear Engine Riders many of which come with the size decks you are looking at
Why you are insisting on a ZTR I do not know but I have commercial customers who do 20 + domestic laws a year with a 24" Greenfields fast cut which is a tractor style mower with a flat plate friction drive and fixed rear axel
The trick is to mow backwards to get around tight spaces .
This is all good information that I did not have before. Thanks for providing it.
The reason I am looking is that the ZTR I am looking at is a very good price (almost free, my price range
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I have heard the same about the cone drives. However, I have found the kit and instructions to do the cone drives, and I do find the parts that I need on eBay, etc., on a very regular basis.
Fitness level is excellent, I can push a mower about twice as fast as a self drive can go (that's a 21").
I did see a really nice rear rider close to my price range, so I am looking at that. But even that is not as cheap as the ZTR.
wnlewis