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.
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...
