Had one 2009-2012 and it was not great. That was a while ago so their entire quality and engineering may have gone up.
It's weird, the specs on those 2 look pretty much the same (not a machine/gear head, so...) yet you're paying JD 4K extra for what exactly? The green and yellow paint?
Lol my uncle was in the JC feedstore, they're a Stihl dealer, and I can buy a $19K zero turn mower right there. I had no idea Stihl made mowers. I'm going with the heavy duty John Deere, I think.
Well, alright dammit, I've been talked into a zero-turn, which does absolutely make the most sense but my general stubbornness made me hold out for a bit. Kubota? Deere? I don't know who else, but that's what I see the lawn crews using around town. eta: and poor little innocent me thought ~8K was a lot for a lawnmower, 20 years ago you could buy a pickup for what I'm about to spend
Anyone buying a lawnmower needs to get it from a dealer not a big box store- Talk to the people and get the vibe about service - Are the prices reasonable- compare different places and talk to the business- You will Quickly get an idea on who you would prefer to do business with I would put that over the brand - A place that will service your $8,000 mower with expertise Is actually more important than the brand.