The 1250 is a pretty good tractor. SOLID BUILT!!!! The 12-hp Kohler is a great engine, but the 50-inch deck will be a chore for it in heavy grass. That's about the smallest hp I would want to run the 50" deck. They put that same deck on the 1450 and 1650 tractors, and they turn it much easier, but the 1250 will do it for regular lawn work. The 1250 and the quietline series in general are really good machines, combining a lot of the old IH tractor designs into a quieter, tractor, but still using the old K-series engines.
You're going to have to work a bit to do a compression check. The K series AQS engines have automatic compression release. Do some research as there is a specific procedure to follow for checking the compression. You can't just throw a gauge on it. However, if it cranks over, and you get puffs of air out the spark plug hole, the rod is not broken and the engine should be ok. It may still need rings or a head gasket, and actually could need a complete overhaul, BUT the rod has not been broken so you have a huge benefit.
