Thats strange, I mow about 6 lawns a week, and run two gas mowers, never had a single problem cutting through the neighbors jungles. The engines hum nicely, and make me want to buy a xxx-nt to go with the xxx-t lol. Maybe the 3 blades on the john deer cut better.hehe, I've always stuck with john deere on lawn mowers, superb machines.