Steve took the words out of my mouth. Your Home Depot tractor is good for a 1 acre lawn with minimal gardening work.
There is no option for a front end loader on that sized machine. In fact, you will have to increase 4 series to a sub compact utility tractor in order to get a front end loader. Of course this comes at a price of about $15,000 and mentioned. If you really have to stick under $3,500 and need a FEL, used is your only option.
If you don't need a FEL, then I would agree again, the x300 series and up would be what you want. I would not recommend getting a tractor from Home Depot under any circumstance. You will eventually need parts/service for your tractor and need to take it to the dealer. If you decide you really want the D series, the JD dealer will have them at the same price.
The D100 will also not like to mow 'wild grass' which sounds like brush hogging to me. But, a x300, x500 or x700 wouldn't like to brush hog either. I'd rent a larger machine with a brush hog for these circumstances.