Vertical shaft vs horizontal??

[dlburkie]

I've decided to buy a ZTR mower - either a Grasshopper 227 or Cub Cadet Tank. One has a vertical shaft Kohler and the other a horizontal. Is there a preference or a reason to choose one over the other?
Also, is there any reason to avoid either one of these mowers?
Thanks for your help.

[Iplayfarmer]

Vertical shaft engines are typically cheaper than horizontal shaft engines, but I don't know if there's any reason to prefer one over the other. I'm interested to read the other responses that are sure to come.

[oldnslo]

If the transmissions have cooling fans on them, how well are they protected on the vertical shaft models? You can read lots of posts about the plastic cooling fans being damaged on CUT's. Same problem is present on ZTR also.

Look at the maintenance items, spark plugs, oil filter, air filter. Are they reasonably easy to access? Some of the ZTR's are a real PITA to service.

Can the drive belts be changed without pulling the engine?

Engine styles are used by manufacturers for best fit if their components. I don't believe you will find much difference in dependabilty of either style.

Roy