"Mine has the 20 hp Kohler Mag motor and 60 inch mower deck & power steering/Lo-Hi trans axle. I have been told the motor they used after the Magnum was junk. I also have the dual spool hydraulic for the snow blade. My neighbors have the 430 John Deere, and Cadet Super tractor also with 60" decks. The Sunstar hands down does the nicest and most even cut out of the three brands and my neighbors that have the Cadet and JD both agree on that. 60" deck is one heavy sun of a gun. Power steering cylinder has a small hydraulic leak that once this spring I had to add 2 oz of fluid but no biggie. Motor still runs strong and hydro still works well. Nice big gas tank. My only 2 downfalls to this awesome machine is I wish Simplicity built a 60" deck with a diesel motor for fuel consumption as this hefty twin will suck down the fluid. I also wish the hydraulic more the mower deck had a few more inches of travel/lift to it. Compared to the JD430 they are about the same in hydraulic lift height. Deck and blade swap out are about a 20-30 minute job each and service manuals available are very detailed and accurate. Parts are still readily available and not as expensive I don't think as JD. I have had my unit for 6 years now and bought it when it only had 345 hours and have not regretted it one minute. I was in the market for a 400/420 JD but for the same condition and implements I was looking at an extra $800-$1,000 just for the name sake and not as nice of mower finish cut I found out. You can find these 20HP Sunstars still in very good condition for around $1500-$2,000 in exceptional condition. Where as the JD and Cadet Super Tractors will command an additional $1000 more for the same comparison. For those that thought power steering on a garden tractor...really?? I'll never go back to manual steering. Yes, it is that nice. In closing, I am a big guy 6'6 and 340#. This is a very nice comfortable machine for me to operate. More seat/leg room than the JD 400/420/430 and Cub Super tractors."

"Tractor overall is a great tractor. Solid built attachments and tractor. The only draw back is there are no quick attach hydraulic connections on it. Tractor this size should have them with hydra pump separate from the hydro static drive. It is very dependable starts every even at -25. 20 year old tractor mower and snow blower going strong."