</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I have my decision whittled down to two...I am seriously considering moving on the CK20 (not HST) or the LB1914. )</font>
<font color="black"> Charlie, just out of curiosity, why not get the HST? Granted it does cost more, and if cost is the ultimate concern then I would understand it. But for the uses you spoke of, it sounds like mowing and light landscaping are your basic chores. That is begging for HST. Don't know if you are looking at a FEL, but if you are then HST will make your work go faster and easier. For mowing most people find HST machines faster and easier as well.
The FEL on the CK line up is very impressive, their design is probably the second best (needs more slope on the arms when in the down position) in the industry and far better than the old style dogleg FEL units and far better than the majority of everythings sold today in terms of visibility and ease of use.
As has been said, if you are mowing, the CK comes with a mid-PTO so you'd have the option of a MMM, which many people prefer and find easier to use.
Given that you are in Muncie, your snow load in the winter is moderately light, I would think either machine would handle clearing the driveway with ease. If the drive is gravel, I think either machine would also handle box blades, rakes, etc equally.
I would strongly suggest you reconsider HST.
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