Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Which riding lawn tractor engine & make to buy., briggs stratton, john deer

Question
I am in the process of buying a riding 42" cut lawn tractor.
I am trying to decide between a John Deer LA120 model sold at The Home Depot which has a Briggs& Stratton 21 H/P Twin Cylinders OHV engine. The other make is a Craftsman YS 4500 model sold at Sears which has a Kohler Pro 20 H/P Single Cylinder Dual-Cam engine. My question is which is the better engine for this type of lawn tractor. Which one will run quiet and smoother with less vibration. I have 1-1.5 acers of grass to cut so that is the primary use of this tractor however some light rolling and ground airfication equipment would be used from time to time. Also which brand is better made and less repair maintence free over several years of use.
Thank you for the time.


Answer
Consumer reports rates the John Deere LA120 it's annual best buy.
The Kohler is a good engine but the rest of the tractor is junk.
NEVER BUY A MOWER AT SEARS.
Don't buy the Deere at Depot. Go to a Deere dealer. It will cost exactly the same and you will have the support of a dealer.