Update: Finishing up my third season (some winter rye to put down) with the RT9016. Had the drive belt replaced this spring before I started tilling due to wear along with an oil change, new spark plug and air filter/ pre-filter. and a new hinge pin on the rear flap to replace the one that disappeared. I'm still happy with it- still starts first or second pull, handles tall grass/weeds better than the Pony/Horse Troy Bilts I owned some years back and it handles rocks and stones (should have known better than to buy a house next to a quarry
) far better than the front end tillers I rented prior to buying this ... rocks/stones jamming the tines is the thing of the past. Been pleased with the Simplicity dealer, too ...they know the product and when I got tied up early this spring, they serviced it for a very reasonable price. At this price point, I'd buy it again.