Thanks for the input Navasot. I have considered that a 1526 with a 72 inch mower deck would be a little big for mowing in tighter quarters (which I do have to deal with). The Max 26XL would probably be a very good choice for just mowing, but I am concerned a bit about stability - almost the entire yard is slightly sloped and the top edge of the church yard forms a small hill (close to 30 degrees in some places).
I, my dad, and several others have used the church's John Deere 430 diesel Lawn and Garden tractor for the last 23 years to mow the yard. It has a 60 inch deck and cuts well, but it has been having issues the past three or four years. HST is jerky, it creeps (it did creep with the brakes on but that is fixed), the muffler broke off and had to be replaced, a hydraulic line busted, front left wheel spindle broke off last summer, etc. All signs of use and wear I suppose. I think the 430 has a 1,300 hours so on it. I don't know for sure because the hour meter was broken for about ten years. It shows around 860 hours now, but I don't even think it is recording accurately. But anyway . . . . . The JD 430 can pretty much handle all of the major slopes in the yard. It has a very low center of gravity, filled R1 style rear tires, plus a differential lock. I have mowed up the hills, down the hills, and with great caution I can mow them at an angle. I would not try that with any other mower or tractor out there (I don't think).
adpqmi,
I'm glad that you are happy with your tractor. To me it is encouraging that your 1526 has performed better than expected with a five foot brush hog.
Time will tell what happens: whether my dad and I get a Max 26XL, a 1526, or stick with his eMax 25 HST. My dad helped me out mowing a few times last year with his eMax 25. The JD 430 was out of commission for two weeks getting the hydraulic line replaced. The church has the John Deere 430, but we have a ours which can be a backup when the 430 is down. Also (my dad and I) would have a front loader on a tractor for moving snow - from a couple of short driveways worth to clearing about a one acre parking lot. I am sure a 1526 would excel in that department.
Enjoy your Machines Gentlemen. And again thanks for the input: :thumbsup: