Before buying a new tractor/mower, check for availability of repair parts
and get it in writing. But check out what is involved in changing belts.
I just had to do this on my old Craftsman and it took the better part of two
days. There are some really poor engineering decisions in the beast --
hidden bolts, directions don't tell you the easy way to get to some things
(take off the rear wheel to get to t he nut that holds the belt guide in the
back), just how do you insert the new belt so that it goes around all the
pulleys? On and on. Try before buy.