I need a good quality mid-grade mower. Open to a zero turn too. I cut about an acre at the house plus cut some of my real estate properties from time to time.
My old John Deere D130 needs a lot of work to get it to mow right and for the cut to look decent.
So rather than invest in a hard used mower (that I got used years ago), looking into getting something new.
Don't need anything huge. 42' or 48" max.

Edit: My wife like for clippings to be bagged so all the kids don't track as much clippings into the house or pool. May narrow the field.

Suggestions? I know some of the big box store models have regular issues. Would like to avoid as much of that as I can.

Hustler

Hustler, again

I had a Craftsman for years and never had any problems. I bought it 15 years or so ago though. It didn't break the bank and I was still using it when we moved up here a year and half ago so I'd say I got my money's worth. Routine stuff only to it. New belts, blade etc.

My Son, my Sister and my Sons FIL all have the same Husky model. All are under 100 hours. All have burned up the same plastic belt pulley (warrant repaired), two have deck problems and one of those had to be replaced under warranty. Very thin, poorly welded decks. So I would suggest you don't buy a Husky zero turn. I have had 2 cub cadets and have seen no reason to change.

Honda self propelled and work off some of those cheeseburgers.

Husqvarna is definitely not what it used to be. Their small engines stuff has gone to crap too

Fair point, but you're an arsehole

I have yet to find one that mower outlast the motor.

Lots of folks around me are running the bad boy zero turn mowers. I have looked at them myself and for the price and the deck build quality I don’t think you would go wrong buying one. They look like they are built very well but simple.

Bad Boy
Hustler
Commercial Grade Toro
Commercial Grade John Deere
Walker is the best, used on golf courses. We used them to cut people's lawns and they were $10k in 2014. Great bagging set up on those too. The best.

I would find a well cared for well sorted commercial mower.
They are build heavier.

Found the one my stepdad bought here on Aldeer

Hustler Raptor SD. Mine has been a good one.

i agree with stray cat

Love my hustlers.

Hustler Fast Trac 42” for the win. Mine is going on 12 yrs old and still cutting without a hitch. Finally the deck is wearing thin but I cut 4 acres on a regular bases. Best mower I’ve ever owned.

Yes Sir, I have a Raptor SDX with a Kawasaki engine. Hard to beat a Hustler with a Kawasaki for the $.

The raptors have the same deck on them as their commercial mowers. And the Kawasaki is awesome, my dad has that model. Mine has the kholer. I haven't had any trouble out of mine though.

Buy a Kubota and you won't be able to say that.

My nephew mows with one I bought new in 1996, and it still has the original bearings in the deck.

Same with our 23 HP mower we use here at the farm. Over 500 hours, most of it mowing, original everything except the blades and gauge wheels. Factory battery is now 12 years old, but still starts every time.