Thanks for all of the replies and tips.
I wasn't actually too concerned about Deeres' ergonomics - they are what they are and seem fine to me. But I don't know much about HSTs and so wondered about going one way and hitting the other pedal, which I doubtless will do, and which Mr. Krug answered (thanks!). The equivalent on a manual will often result in a casing full of detached gear teeth.
I did a little testing. The cruise control is the JD standard for 4x20 series. It does not function in reverse, a very good thing. Hitting the forward pedal does NOT disengage it. Hitting the brake, the reverse pedal, or the cruise-off switch (duh!) does disengage and stops the tractor fairly violently.
I've really liked looking at everyone's pictures. It seems kind of silly, truly if you've seen one tractor you've seen them all. Still, I always look and enjoy, so here are a few more.
First is of the place - 25 ac. in the deep south, house and barn. This was originally built to be the home of barrel racers on horseback. I've no horses nor any interest or intention. We added the pool, blacktopped the drive, etc.
Another of the driveway.
From the back end of the barn. It is a pole barn, 40'x80' with nine 12x12 stalls, a wash area (now storage), a 12x24 tack room now a shop, and an 8' porch area. I had the barn centerway blacktopped when I had the drive done. A very large barn is a most wonderful thing to have.
My first tractor, just after I bought the place, a 1953 NAA. I loved it. (You cannot see her in the photo but Mimi is there with a death grip on the Little Dude.) I bought it on a whim, along with a very old very heavy duty MF60 rotary cutter for $3000 10 years ago, and began to learn what splendidly useful and fun machines they are.
The Blues Brothers on the 4320. It's a 2006 model I bought this year. I know I'm always curious: the tractor, FEL, forks, 175hrs. evidently in excellent condition were $19,500. I've no idea if it was a good deal. Now has about 270hrs, no problems of any sort.
The long and short of it.
The Little Dude insisted the cutter be painted green, although we fell sadly short on the shade matching portion of the exercise. Shooting range visible in the background.
A couple more of the tractor, and finally a couple of Hurricane Katrina damage - it hit us about 2 hours after it finished trashing New Orleans. Estimated winds were 90 - 110mph for about 3 hours. The NAA was invaluable in the cleanup, and it was then I began to seriously think about a FEL equipped tractor.
