Strengths Fast at cutting, can handle the angles well. Can pull heavy loads with a trailor. I have 10 ac of fairly rough terrain and the X520 just ploughs right on through like a hot knive through butter.The 2 wheel lock kicks butt up the hills and I have alot of hills. That's why they call it 'Multi Terrain'

Weaknesses The blades could do a better job but at the speed I cut it's no wonder it misses every now and then. I have also broken a spindle as I ran over a tree stump. $100 fix.

Overall It's the Mac Daddy of lawn tractors, expensive but way worth it I have put in over 70 hours so far and it does about 1 ac. per hour on cutting.

Strengths Great starting and running. Great traction on hills Great Price, low engine noise, nice level cut with 54" deck, fast reverse cut, turns nice without powering steering. Great tires for traction without tearing lawn 5 year warrenty, first year no intrest loan

Weaknesses Plastic hood, vinyl seat seems thin. Break peddle is on the right above forward peddle, would be faster if on the left using 2 foot technique

Overall Great power and plenty of cutting speed if needed on hills. Handles well. not tippy with great traction.

Strengths Very well-built, moster transmission and the rear wheel lock is a lifesaver. 54" deck speeds mowing and does a good to very good job (with sharp blades). Liquid cooled engine is nice and never feels under-powered.

Weaknesses Almost none, though I wish I could raise the mower deck another inch or so. I also wish the cruise control (which I never use) wasn't so close to the PTO...it would reduce my errors!

Overall I bought this to replace a pseudo-Deer L-130 (which blew the tranny after 4 years). I use it to mow and maintain 3.5 acres, of which about 2 acres is moderately rough (ruts, gullies) and moderately hilly. I use a 48" rear dethatcher and a large cart without breathing hard. I'm looking for a blade for the winter now.

Strengths Strong engine, great traction, easy to steer and raise and lower mower deck so don't spend the extra money on the X540 for the power steering and deck lift.

Weaknesses None so far except for the hose deck wash. I do not understand why there is only one connector which will only wash half of the deck.

Overall I just got my X520 and have already put my first 5 breakin hours on it in my first day. I have 4 acres to mow and most all of it is very hilly. The rear lock is absolutely awesome! I will be changing the oil as required after the first 5 hours tomorrow and then I have about 1/2 acre to finish up. I will park it for two weeks and then at it again. I just retired a JD G100 after 5 years and many many hours of hard and I mean hard use. I had rear tire chains on the G100 and no more need for them with my X520. I decided to with another Deere becuase of how well the G100 did. Let me be very clear, I do not have one of those flat lawns. I have hills and more hills so I hope I do not need the 4 year or 500 hour warranty but it is a good feeling to know it is there if I break something. I will report in every few mowing hours and keep you updated.