Matt
First off, I have nowhere near the experience of the other guys here, but I have spent the last year looking into tractors, and I lived on about 1 ac in TX awhile back so I have some experience.
The first thing I've discovered is no matter how small a tractor you get, it's not small enough to mow every where, thus you immediately need 2 machines. If your like me living on 25 mostly wooded acres, the cost of 2 machines (or 3 in my case) is justifiable. However, on 1.5 ac, I don't see how you can justify a 20-25 HP tractor, and a dedicated mowing machine. I agree with the others here who say you don't need a big tractor. Now, 1.5 acres is still a good chunk of land, you do not want, in my opinion, a 0 turn, which can only mow. You will, I'm guessing have other tasks, so you need a pretty decent garden tractor.
I'm not great on this point, but I know JD makes a big lawn tractor, which can mow just as well as a ZT, with a little more steering. Now, I personally would not get a deck more than at most 48". I have spots that only the 42" lawn tractor can just get into. So, if you get a JD X series with a 54" deck, I would think you need the 2nd machine, and you might as well get a Kubota BX, which won't be that much more $$ and will do a heck of a lot more. Be careful what your paying for a lawn mower, you easily pay more for a less capable sooped up lawn mower than a basic SCUT with a real loader and 3PT. If your at that point, get the SCUT.
On the snow removal, if you get a garden tractor, get a walk behind snowblower. Blades on LT are hopeless, and snowblower belts are a PITA, as I learned the hard way. If you end up with a tractor, get a rear blade. They're a whole lot cheaper than a snowblower, and between that and the loader, you can handle any snow.
Now, some of the guys here have no room to talk with the whole "too much tractor for your land" argument. I believe there are several members here with 30HP+ machines on about the same acreage as you. The best thing for you would be a small B or such and a small ZT, but I know that's not economical.
Now that I've confused you hopelessly with my rambling, let me say that I managed 1 acre with a dinky 42" lawn tractor and a cart. There was never anything I couldn't do, although I wasn't clearing snow either. In your case I would say a decent lawn tractor that can get everywhere, and a good walk behind snowblower would be the way to go. Also, invest in a cart, mine was the best $100 I ever spent.
Finally, If you talk yourself in to a SCUT, don't limit yourself to JD, Kubota, and Mahindra. Kioti has a new SCUT on the market, although I don't know the price. Yanmar has the SC series which is nice and priced at about 14K for a TLM setup. TYM, Massey Ferguson, and New Holland have good options. Of course, this depends on dealer location, but don't limit your choices. And don't let any of us here talk you into a GL3560 Cab HST+.
