The main thing on any mower is avoid the cheap decks. Residential under 4k mowers have mainly stamped steel, i.e. thin sheet metal decks that deteriorate rapidly. 5,000 hour engine is worthless is the deck rusts out in you in 5 years.
Most good models have good welded deck. The main issue now is supply and fast increasing prices. That good 4 or 5k mower is now 5 or 6k or more. I want a new one also, but most probably put off till next year.
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