I bought a Toro LX460 lawn tractor about 10 years ago new. No real problems, I just replaced a steering part, no big deal. Other than that problem free.
I cut the lawn and plow snow with it.

Transmission is most important element determining longevity. Engines usually outlast trans.

This is probably the best entry grade that I'd even consider but it is over his budgest at MSRP of $ 3,399.00. You could probably get it for 200 less maybe in season.

 https://www.husqvarna.com/us/p...s/ts348xd/960430242/ 

If he is Only Mowing... There is no Lawn tractor in that price range for mowing that much. I would recommend a Zero Turn mower. Toro or similar.

I got a Husqvarna 54” zero turn at end of season 7 years ago for $2400. I mow 5 acres and it worked well with normal maint. (Blades) until this season when the stamped deck hangers broke. Welded them and it back to working as before. Next time I definitely would get a fabricated deck and the higher end models with maintainable hydrostatic transmissions are a good idea.

When we moved into our current home, I needed something that could mow just under 2 acres. Money was tight, so I ended up buying a used John Deere GT 275 garden tractor. It came with a 54"mower deck, a 42" snow plow blade and a 42" snow blower attachment. Got it all for $2100. Its been working like a champ. This was in 2012.

I just checked , in our area the used riding lawn mowers for that size yard are $3,800.00


now I am thinking some sheep are his best bet

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

UPDATE: my buddy finally landed on a Cub Cadet XT1. $1900. Thanks all for the suggestions. We'll see how it works out long-term.

I have been down the riding mower road before. They are very slow and very prone to failure (most of them are all made by MTD, just different plastic and names, that’s why they all suffer the same problems), that’s the good part. The bad part is you are sitting right above the things that are throwing grass everywhere.

We use real tractors at our farm but only have 5 acres at home that I mow. I didn’t want to blow zero turn money on one and while faster than a rider, are pretty rough if your ground isn’t nice and smooth. I wound up finding a 60” Swisher for $600 on Craigslist and pull it behind a 4 Wheeler, that I use otherwise for fun activities year round.

All the debris is well behind you, the ride is smoother than any zero turn or riding mower by so far it’s not even comparable and it only takes one hand to operate. It’s also about 3 times faster than the riding mower but not as tight around trees or other objects.

That’s what I built this for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edG45KTbxkE

quote:

Originally posted by Hangtime:
Transmission is most important element determining longevity. Engines usually outlast trans.

This is probably the best entry grade that I'd even consider but it is over his budgest at MSRP of $ 3,399.00. You could probably get it for 200 less maybe in season.

 https://www.husqvarna.com/us/p...s/ts348xd/960430242/ 

I have this mower and I am very happy with it. I looked at a lot of them and the engine, locking rear diff and fabricated deck are hard to beat at that price.