Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Need a Riding mower/Not much money, compact tractors, wheel horse

Question
I need to buy a riding lawn mower/garden tractor and I only have about $1500-1700 to spend.  I want a John Deere, I owned a 318 years ago, but I know I don't have much cash, even though the do have 0% financing for a year.  Now I have nearly two acres to mow and need to get one that will reliabily last, and be able to pull a cart of firewood out of the woods regularly.  You guys see to know, I have been out of the market for several years.  I always though winter was the time to buy, but...

Answer
I would look around for a used Ingersoll or Wheel Horse lawn tractor.  These are small versions of compact tractors and with a little care will last for many, many years.  They are a little hard to find used, people who own them don't want to turn loose of them.  But you do see them occasionally and you can usually find a good one in your price range.  If you do a search on either, you will find numerous online clubs devoted to these tractors.  I see them on e-Bay fairly often.

Another option is an older John Deere like you mentioned. The older ones are excellent little tractors and parts are available.  Again, the garden tractor collectors go nuts for these things and there are lots of online sources of information and clubs.