Here's my situation:
I'm looking at upgrading my mower and I'll be buying a zero turn when I do. My budget is $3k-$3500...I mow 1 acre weekly at my house and ~3 acres bi-monthly at the farm. I will be hauling this mower on a trailer about every 2 weeks and I've got to stay right around a 50" deck; nothing bigger than that will fit on my trailer. I will be buying a mower with either a Kawasaki or Kohler motor, for sure...

Here's what I know:
My Dad has owned 2 Toro's over the last ~8 years and they've been good mowers. I like everything about them, but the deck is somewhat cheap/flimsy...I saw a Cub Cadet at Tractor Supply that had a much more heavy duty deck, but I've never heard good things about a Cub Cadet.

What should I buy???

I know Hustler and Kubota make good mowers. Whatever you do don't buy a POS Husqvarna unless you love working on lawmowers every time you cut your yard.

X2 for the hustler.

I bought a used exmark in that price range and have been well pleased.

Love my kubota

Buy a small tractor and pick up a used finishing mower to go with it. I have cut a lot of property with a finishing mower and the yards always look great. A small tractor will last longer than both of us. Ten thousand times more dependable than a lawnmower and the attachments like a bush hog make it an all around working machine. Many used small Ford and Massey Ferguson tractors can be purchased in your price range. Hope this helps.

BTW-I bet you can keep the tractor ten years and get all your money back from it. Try doing that with a lawn mower.

Go with a toro with the welded deck and a Kawasaki engine. My dad just got one from dixie for around $3500. Stay away from the cub cadets they are junk! I started with a residential toro and had zero problems. And Dixie auto parts has always took care of me. Toro now has two different decks on their mowers the stamped thin metal and a welded thick metal deck.

I like the small tractor idea and would agree if you were cutting more than a 1 acre tract weekly. I also cut 1 acre weekly but do so with a ZTR. I would think with a small tractor you'd spend more time turning than cutting.

^^^^^THIS is the way to go and what I do UNLESS a you have a lot of stuff to trim around in your yard. A grooming mower will cut like a lawn mower deck BUT when you turn to go around something (tree, bush, etc) the mower is swinging AWAY from what you're trying to trim around. With creative landscaping this can be overcome and in the long run is a much cheaper method.

I bought a used $10k tractor and a $2500 finish mower 10 years ago. Mower is good for a long time yet and the tractor is still a worth 75-80% of what I paid for it. If I had spent $10k on a zero turn it would be done by now, or very soon anyway. Good luck whatever you decide.

I would stay away from a Cub Cadet. Years ago they were on of the best, but the quality has gone down considerably. Check out a John deere I think they are in your price range. I have a JD (not a zero turn) and cut my 2 ac yard weekly and it has been a reliable machine. Good luck.

I opted for the tractor and finishing mower mostly because I really enjoy driving a tractor.

I have a Tractor, but use my ZTR to cut a mowable 2.5 acres of my property... The tractor is Harder to maneuver in and around fences, shrubs, ditches, propane tanks, water wells, raised gardens, landscaping and etc...

This is what I bought and I absolutely love it. My yard is 1.5 acres and I mow it weekly. This is my 3rd year with this mower. Deck is welded and has the 23 HP Kawasaki engine. Mine has the 42" deck and it will flat mow grass. I paid $3500 tax and all from my local Toro dealer.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/homeowner/mowe...er-mx4250-74760

I have a small Yanmar tractor with a 6 foot finishing mower. I cut around 3 acres. I also have a Big Dog 60 inch cut with a Kawasaki engine. I can cut that 3 acres 3 times as fast with the zero turn than the tractor. I parked the tractor and the finishing mower is sitting there. No comparison, if you're only wanting to cut grass the zero turn is the way to go

Love my toro. And definitely go with a Kawasaki motor.

Hustler again.

Go to tractor supply and get a badboy. Tough mowers. Best you can get for the price in my opinion. I've been using mine for 4 years now and it has served me well. I believe the 48" is 3500.00 and they have a welded deck, none of that gay stamped stuff that wraps around the blades the first time you hit a stump.

x2. Def go with a welded deck and Kawasaki motor is best out there. If possible go with a commercial grade which will come with this and other better made components. I know your budget is $3500. For another 2k you can buy a commercial Snapper 48in. At least that's what I paid for mine new. Got 110hrs on it and its performed flawlessly. If you must stay in your budget also look for a good conditioned commercial mower. You should be able to tell if it was taken care of or not. I bought and ran 3 commercial Z's for years before purchasing the snapper. All of them have always had a Kawasaki and I never even had to touch a carburetor. Knock on wood...

Welded deck for sure. These Big Dog mowers are made by Excel Industries in the USA. So far I have been pleased.
4750 out the door with 60 inch welded deck and 23 hp Kawasaki engine.
It's got the best seat I've ever sat in as far as equipment goes. Hauls well on a 6 foot wide trailer.
I cut our pond area which is close to 4 acres, a couple of small lots and my Mom's huge yard and have been very satisfied.

x2