Need Help buying Riding Lawn mower

[Esther]

I need to find a good inexpensive riding lawn mower for 1 1/2 acres of land.

Would prefer to be able to use attachment for tilling IF easier to use and not to expensive.

I have called John Deere. They gave me the following bids:

Snapper 12.5 hp 30" cut for $1,659.00.
John Deere 17 hp 42" cut for $2,899.00 with a Kasawski motor
J. D. 17 hp 42" cut $2,899.00 Zero turn with a Briggs/Stratton motor

Said the Briggs motor is not as good as Kasawski.

Went to the Snapper website and they have listed a couple with 1 cylinders or 2.

Which is better and why?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. It appears buying a separate tiller may be the better way to go.