Gator,
I've got a old one (1995) that has wheels like a bicycle, skinny hard rubber tires on a large spoke wheel, belt drive to the blade, no reverse. I've not tried the newer ones but have seen the ads and get their catalogue twice a year. They usually have sales in the fall but unless you have the finish mower deck/blades remember it's just like a brush hog and will give you a pretty rough cut around your pond.
Mine is also the 8 HP and will go thru the 1" to 1.5" stuff pretty easily.
I use it behind the ATV on the ice in winter to chop all the cattails.
Have you tried E Bay for a used one, maybe save some $$$.
