Jet, the post contains the response from Exmark to the dealer's request for involvement - there is little room for interpretation.
Once again; in fairness to Exmark they have tens of thousands of satisfied customers and Exmark did not make the engine, though the dealer does say that the solinoid is an Exmark, rather than a Briggs part, BUT Exmark DID spec the engine, and the solinoid (?) AND this was/is a business, cost reduction decision-to argue otherwise is silly.
Additionally Exmark DID not make the Zt 2800's and Exmark did not, apparently, store the mower in a very hostile environment.
BUT Exmark did make the deck .
Of these observations I am certain;
my situatioin is an unusual one
there are probably hundreds and hundreds of satisfied 'Quest' owners
the Briggs/Deere configuration makes sense and indicates an understanding of zt operating environments
the basic 'Intek' does not belong in this application
'good' companies sometimes drop the ball
Now here is the real mystery; why can Toro make the Snapper Pro, with a larger fab deck than the Exmark Quest, with the Kawa FX supplying the grunt to ZT 3100's for about $500 more than the Exmark ?, gotta admit its a good question..
Bottom line: I got screwed-I accept this-I am moving, but regrettably for the time being, NOT mowing: on.