A wider deck that sticks out past the drive wheels make it easier to get close to things, provided no gates to get through. Bigger drive tires make for a better machine on slopes. Add a thousand to your budget and get something that will last. Toro makes a couple estate models, they are better than consumer grade, almost light commercial grade. Stop buy most Cub Cadet dealers, if they have a junk pile it will have a bunch of their light ZTR mowers, not worth the cost of repair.
