I hope I don't bore you with my explanation but here goes...
To answer your first question: Just like my user name states, I was raised on John Deere.
My first JD was a brand new 1968 John Deere 20 pedal tractor my grandfather bought me and that I still have to this day. It's had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins kids beating the heck out that pedal tractor. From there I grew up on My grand dads 1968 JD model 140 Garden tractor. He would ride me around on it everywhere and anytime he used it. I got to ride in the John deere 80 series wagon.

When I got a little older I mowed endless hours of lawns and snowblowed what seemed like thousands of feet of snow with that tractor.
My grampfather still has this tractor and it's still in use to this day mowing and snowblowing.
When I moved out on my own I purchased my own John Deere 445 lawn & garden tractor. It's been 100% reliable for the last 10 years so I guess it was only right to stay true to JD and continue the legacy with my latest purchase. The 2520.. So I figured that if John Deere has lasted this long why not continue on.
My gramps will be 90 yrs old this July and his face lit up with a big grin when I told him I bought the 2520. I definitely wouldn't want to see the look on my grampfathers face if I told him I bought anything other than John Deere..
Sorry that was abit long winded..
Second question: It's a 62 inch drive over mower deck.
I loving the 2520.. It's a beast.. :thumbsup: