I haven't seen one that requires you to shut down the engine if you put the tranny in Park and disengage the mower deck, although I can't say that sort of interlock system doesn't exist. My seat switch doesn't cut the engine off if it's in Park and the mower deck is disengaged.

And although mine supposedly has a "shift on the fly" tranny coupling, it's almost impossible to get it into park unless you push the clutch/brake down all the way and slam the shift lever back pretty forcibly. (Putting it in park sets the brake, so you have to stretch the brake spring enough for it to hold it on.)

I could adjust it for a little easier operation someday, but why mess with what still works?.

Mine is about 14 years old now, and I've put about three deck belts on it, 3 or 4 sets of blades, and one drive belt. There are a half dozen "small pieces" missing, some just ignored and a few "replaced with field expedients," but it cuts the grass so it's fine for my current mowing requirements.

I doubt if I could get the mulching plug out of the deck, since it's been in there all but the first year I had the machine. Bagging the clippings ain't really the "green way" of doin' it, unless you're just trying to impress the neighbors (more than I care about doing).

John