How much are you willing to spend. I cut, areate, de-thatch, lawn roller 2 acres. I live on a small farm (10 acres with horses) and use the mower a bunch. A MUST have is a wagon. And as the same with mowers, get a good one (big knobble tires kind).
I've had 3 mowers. The first one was a craftsman piece of crap. I bought it brand new and it lasted 2 yrs. Then traded it in for a 1974 Ford. It was a tank. I loved it, but the wife, who has a bad back, hated it. There was no suspension and beat her to death. It had all the attachments: plow, snowblade, aereator etc.
Finally, I figured to invest in a nice mower. I bought a large lawn tractor 1998 new Cub Cadet built pre-MTD for $5000. It lasted 13 yrs which figures out to be $348 per year. Not too bad for the amount of work I did with it. I traded that in (got $1000 outta it
for a Land Pride ZTR for $4000. They are built in Saline, Ks.
The story behind them is that 2 engineers from Gravely got pissed off and started their own company. The Land Pride are almost exactly built the same as the Gravely's and a bit cheaper.
I, too, would recommend a ZTR mower. It makes mowing fun and shaved 25% time off. Get a mid-mount not a true front mower like the grasshoppers. Those things have a tricyle wheel behind that you whack into things like new trees when you turn.
If you plan on living there awhile, and want quality, you can finance a nice one for $100-200 bucks a month. They ARE an investment. Heck, I got a $1000 bucks in trade in on my beat up Cub. I would recommend Land Pride, Gravely, Kubota.
As to flipping, as mentioned before with the lower center of gravity, they slide instead. I mow a steep bank and slide all the time.
oh, btw, the Land Pride has a patented "Air" ride system. Feels like riding in a Caddy. It took a bit to learn to steer, but now after I set up the handles correctly, I steer with my finger tips
You know its spring when you hear that NASTY, GROWLY, NOISY sound down the street. You cuss, bow your head, do the walk, to the garage. You know what you gotta do. You just heard the first lawnmower of the season.
Well I'm the dude that started mowing as soon as possible. I can't wait to "fly" that sucker around the lawn.
Forgot to add. Make sure it has a cup holder!!