If you are interested in the M60 you should also check with Lesco,
http://www.lesco.com . It is the same mower, but a few dollars cheaper. They designed and built it and worked out a deal with MTD/CUB on marketing and sales. They also still sell the mower themselves and carry parts.
I bought the CUB and have the M60 (25hp KAW) myself, and I got it a couple of years ago when CUB had the 0% for 1 year financing. I liked the idea of having 2 different sources to obtain parts, just different color paints, if I got into a pinch. I use it to mow my 5 acres, and it isn't bad. I like the mower, and for the $$$, it is hard to beat. I paid $6999 in spring 02 or 03.
There are some things I like/dislike about it more than other commerical series ZTRs.
Here are some things I have noticed just off the top of my head:
* I have found that with heavy wet grass the 25hp has all it wants and you can bog it down. (This grass is mowed every week, but is thick) While not bad as it is, the 29 HP would fix that nicely. I have mowed this same area with an Exmark and had similar results.
* The belt tension lever/rod is not really designed well for my model. I believe they have a new design out, but I have only seen it on the 72" model so far. If I can swap it on mine I will. The rod retainer is designed into the pulley cover and you have to have it on to keep tension.
* No rear hitch/draw bar. You have to fab one if you plan on pulling any lawn trailers around.
* The mowing deck is pulled by the front attachment and not hanging by chains. Deck still floats, but uses sliding brackets instead.
* No tow hooks or attachments. No provisions for tie downs either.
* Standard seat is just as comfy as the upgrade model.
* No option for lights on my model, or at least at the time I purchased. (Some ZTRs have them, some don't) Not really any good place to put lights either.
* Made with the same wheel motors, pumps, and engine as any of the other brand. Also has same wheel and tire sizes.
* Easy to grease and change oil.
* If you put more air in the front tires they tend to catch grass clippings.
* deck drive belt is on a flat plain, no extra pulleys to go bad or worry about. Also this helps in departure angle too. No protective bracket hanging down to high center you.
* Floating front axle makes for a "better" ride and cut on bumpy stuff. Also helps on hillside mowing.
* Smaller cockpit area, but good visibility
* Pretty stable on hill side/inclines.
* Lifting the deck can help you get out of some mud, it puts more weight on the drive wheels. (This could hurt too)
* If you spray the deck off with water to clean it, turn the deck on afterwards to sling any water out of the pulleys. ( I did have to replace one of the deck idler pulleys due to bearing holding water and falling apart. ( I spray my mower off about every 2 mows to keep it clean, check everything out, and grease it for next time.)
* Uses about 5 gals. of gas to mow 5 acres.
* The cut finish and striping is top notch.
For close to $8500, I would also advise hitting the dealer to throw in a free extra set of blades when you make the purchase or even a free service/maintenace coupon/credit . All mowers cut their best with sharp blades, and with 2 sets you can swap them out and sharpen when it is raining so you have less down time. Buy a box of hearing protection plugs or a MP3 player, good sunglasses, and some sun-block.
Hope it helps.