re: Deciding on a new mower, recommendations needed

I sold a few lines before I retired and got out of the business.

$4k to $6K you can get a prosumer unit in most major brands that will get you where you want to be.

Really want to look at the transmission usually Hydro-gear ZT 28 to ZT 30 is fine.
You don't need a Parker pump transmission.

Most brands are decent in this price range and most brands should have a fab deck.
Stamp decks are usually used in lower end units and gives you a good air flow with a smaller engine to lift the grass for a good quality of cut. They are made for neighborhood lawns not field cutting.

I sold alot of brands and I liked the Cub Cadet ZTX series which was a solid unit along with Gravely, Hustler, Toro, Exmark. Bad Boy makes a nice deck along with spartan, but the spindles use to piss my customers off. I have not seen the 2022 units as I retired in 2021. Finding units might be tough, so don't wait as mfg are still cutting dealers orders from what I am hearing.

The thing is to find you a good dealer who will service your product in a timely manner vs a dealer that will put you on the back burner to take care of their larger customers.
Biggest thing I use to see are the transmission especially if people do not change the filters and oil. Engine that is fairly easy change the filter and oil initially after 5 to 10 hours and then after that around 50 hours which is once a year for the avg homeowner.