welcome to the mule family...........love ours....................since we bought it, i added a soft top with doors, windshield, winch, and a snow plow...............also, i rigged up a 2200 watt generator in the bed to provide power for an electric heater and small fan for plowing in the winter.......as for the brake issue, we have had none........as for the power issue, you have to remember, if same engine as ours, it is only a 400 cc single cylinder, putting out only about 14 horsepower..........my zero turn has almost twice that much..............and never sell the locking differential, low range, and 4 wheel drive short................i have been in some pretty deep snow, and it has performed great everytime..............i do wish it had a windshield wiper and a rear view mirror..............best of luck to you..................ps. we have had it since 2015..........so far, no issues..........................