There's nothing worse than maintaining the field behind the LCM barn. Trying to mow around all those old typewriters and Apple IIe computers can be troublesome. Coming from a farming town, usually I just let Billy (the LCM goat) and his family wander around the field to keep the weeds and grass at a tolerable height. Only problem is, I have to watch my step when I go to type my stories.

So, we here at LCM decided to find a solution to our problem. Let's take a trip over to the barn and see what awaits us this time.

This Goat has Teeth

The toy for this month comes to us from Hustler. (No, not the magazine!) This machine, the 4500 model, is one of the top machines in high-end commercial riding mowers. With all of the features and attachments you can add, we at LCM thought this machine offered power and versatility. The specifications list reads much like a romance novel; I fall in love each time I read it.

Size 'em Up

Talk about power, this machine has more horsepower than I have head of cattle. This Ford Industrial machine houses a 54-horsepower, four-cylinder, in-line, liquid cooled, gasoline engine. Try and say that with a wad of Beechnut in your mouth.

The mower comes with an 11-gallon gas tank and has a speed range from zero to 10 miles per hour (mph). Just in case you get yourself in a bind, you can pop it in reverse and speed out of harms way at a blistering six mph. Trust me, that won't be fast enough to outrun an angry bull.

I can't forget to mention the true zero degree turning radius. The machine can turn within its own length using the one-hand Trim Steering™, which provides independent control of each of the two drive wheels. A driving instructor is not included, so find an open area to practice before you try whipping this thing around a tree.

Attach This!

So you think it's just another mower? Think again. One reason we chose the Hustler 4500 was because of all the neat attachments you can add.

Hustler offers a Range Wing™ attachment, which allows you to mow a path up to 12 feet wide. You can cut more than 60 acres in an eight-hour day. Just don't let your spouse know this. If you have a 30-acre lot, there will be four hours you can use to do a little fishing.

In selecting Hustler, I had my snow-plagued friends in mind. When you look out the window and see nothing but white, just attach the 54- or 60- inch Snow Thrower and you can still cruise your mower around the yard.

Some of the other attachments offered include: a 60-inch Flail Mower, a Hi-Lift BAC-VAC, a Hydraulic Edger, a 60- or 72- inch Dozer Blades, and a 60- inch V-Blade.

Now that I can cut the field in just a matter of hours, I have tons of extra time. With all this spare time on my hands, I guess there is only one thing left to do; fire up the barbecue. "Here Billy!"

Editor's note: No animals were harmed for the purposes of this article.

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