Walk behind mower recommendations.

I have a Gravely WAW 34 (I think that's the number). I love it.

Only issue is that the mower deck belt will come off so I just leave the cover off.

Honda

You can get a used gear drive 36" for that price

That's a good bit of yard to push. Why not just get a normal steering wheel riding mower for that price?

If you really want a push mower, check out the Bravo commercial mowers. My dad bought one this year and likes it. They are very sturdy and made of quality materials. I don't think anyone carries it in BR anymore. My dad had to go to a dealer in I think Metairie to get his. LINK

I only have 1/2 acre and while I could push it, i bought a ztr for the time factor. I can mow and weedeat and blow off within 1.5 hours and I have the rest of my day to do whatever with the kids. I've gotten to the point were I value time more than money.

I got a Troy-Bilt self propelled with Honda motor at lowes. 3/4 of an acre, probably about 1/2 acre to actually mow. I've had it 7 years, changed oil once, blades once, and air filter yesterday for second time Still runs great, I'll change blades and oil again before next season.

Anything with a Kawasaki fj180v motor...

owned my for 10 years mowing a 180' x 80' plot of land once a week 7 months out of the year.

it still runs like a champ and doesn't burn a drop of oil with a once a year oil change.

You can get a used commercial walk-behind up to 60" deck. Don't have to use the sulky if you dont want, just fold it up. Shouldnt have much trouble finding one in that price. I bought a scag 36" with 15 Kawasaki with only 100 hrs years ago for $2000. Its the hydro drive with reverse, not belt driven which means it doesn't have five speeds and don't have to use your knee to flip gears. Only has 300 now. Never any work done besides oil, filters, and blades.

You ever start that lawn service biz?

You can get a 28" to 33" residential walk behind wide area mower $799 to $1,200 Cub cadet, Toro, Troy-Bilt sell them.
Cub and Troy-Bilt have caster wheels. Toro does not.
All of these will get the job done and at that size are self propelled.
Only thing you have to watch is when I sold them they were timed decks which the quality of cut was very good. If you hit something you can throw off the belt and when the timing gets out of whack the blades can hit each other.
I probably use to sell 75 units around this size a year and only seen 3 come in for this issue between 4 locations.

They are real popular in areas that have semi large yards or yards with gates where it is hard to get a rider in.
Again they are not commercial units but I seen guys use them for commercial grass cutting applications. If you take care of them they are well built units.

Some homedepots carry the toro 28"
and some tractor supplies carry the 28" and 33" cub cadet wide area mower. You should be able to stay under $1,200 with these units.