[cooperino]

Welcome to OCC!

I will weigh in on the mower deck and cutting.

My 1969 126 with original triangle deck cuts great and has had no rust holes ever. Still extremely solid. The only thing I did was install new baffle which is common on these. Also I replaced blades with good quality American made blades. It cuts extremely well in tall grass to short. As Roland had stated the tip speed on some of the older decks is a bit slower. However, with the short outer blades on the triangle deck and the larger center blade it does really well.
When I am forced to cut in tall wet conditions, My 126 is still my first choice even over my higher horsepower and larger deck machines.