For what its worth, I bought my 48" first choice tiller from sweet tractor a couple years ago. I like you, did a lot of research and found Ken Sweet very helpful. As result I drove down to Ken Sweets location in Ky. and picked up my first choice tiller. After two years of use in my mostly clay area, I have had no problems with the tiller. and the job the 6 tine blades do on my clay soil is amazing. I would highly recomend both the 1st choice tiller and the excelent service I received from Ken Sweet at Sweet Tractor.