We are in the process of building a new house that will have an acre lot and I really don't want to have to mow it all with a push mower. So, I am looking at zero turns and was curious about recommendations (3K-4K range), and if there is a better time to buy them than others or are they always around the same price regardless of the time of year?

Really like my Cub Cadet 54'' zero turn. Mow a little over an acre with no issues. Will be on the bottom end of your price range (or at least was when I bought mine).

Best advice that we received on this a couple of years ago was to find out which models were sold by the most convenient dealer in your area. If you have issues, it's good to have a reliable shop nearby. This narrowed down our search quite a bit but we ultimately landed on a Gravely due to FIL's positive experience with his for the past 10+ years. We were also pleased with the dealer when we actually went to look at them so it was a pretty easy choice for us.

Gravely has a few different models at different price points depending on what you'll primarily be using it for. Also received a lot of guidance to make sure you get something with a Kawasaki engine. We went with the ZT XL - I have about 50 hours on it and no complaints so far.

When to buy expert:
https://www.thespruce.com/best-time-to-buy-a-lawn-mower-for-maximum-savings-1387757

What to buy expert:
Golf buddy retired heavy equip pro says buy the very best = Deere @ Deere place so they will fix it, which in the long run saves time/money vs. the big box disposables since they fix nothing anymore.
Build your own
https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA14WdBhD8ARIsANao07j5SxGTBZUgmMrkoonhijc1RxlSf9tFpv9ofMM8hmxUTsxR3shwfrcaAhAFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#/en_us/products/landscaping_&_grounds_care/mowers/zero-turn_mowers/z300_series_zero-turn_mowers

Personal share:
We still employ a 2008 Craftsman non-zero that was on sale from a Sears that also repaired them and stocked all parts. 42" 17hp but only 1/2ac Aggieland
Quality product but local Sears now out of biz but parts available on internet.

but
Neighbor has to mow an entire acre, few trees/obstacles and will never look back after getting a zero-turn.

My one big wish next purchase would be getting No-Flat tires, even over the zero-turn feature.

How many sharp turns do you have to make? If it's a bunch of long straight passes without trees and landscaping in the way, regular ride-on is a much simpler machine and avoids costly repairs to the hydrostatic transmission.

Bought a Hustler Raptor X in that exact price range a couple of years ago. Absolutely love it.

DeBoss said:

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Bought a Hustler Raptor X in that exact price range a couple of years ago. Absolutely love it.

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I bought the same last year and have been pretty happy. The only downside is the tires drive me nuts and tear up my yard on a regular basis if i am not very careful with how I turn.

Ive been Happy with my Bad Boy. Ive got 3 mow-able acres so I went with an upper range model. For one Acre, you probably dont need a suspension seat and all the extras. One thing I chose was a Kawasaki engine over the Kohler and Briggs engines.

Not sure where you're located but I'm looking to sell a 42 inch deck Toro Timecutter - 2 years old, low hours. Located in DFW. Let me know if at all interested, I'll offer a good deal for a fellow TexAg'er.

I sent you an email - letting you know in case you want to take your email address down.

Buy once, cry once.

Only $38k but you get a freakin Caterpillar diesel engine. All the dads on the block finna be jealousssss. Even the landscaping crews will be drooling.

And you'll be able to mow you lot in 5 min so you will only put about 1HR of use on the mower each year. This beast will be your family heirloom for generations to come. The engine is rated for 5,000hrs of use, so safe to say this thing could be mowing your yard in the year 7022.

https://www.ferrismowers.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/zero-turn-mowers/is-6200-zero-turn-mower.html

You'll be sitting taller than your wife in her SUV. Absolute UNIT!

riz said:

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Not sure where you're located but I'm looking to sell a 42 inch deck Toro Timecutter - 2 years old, low hours. Located in DFW. Let me know if at all interested, I'll offer a good deal for a fellow TexAg'er.

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Interested. johndeere5205@yahoo.com

DeBoss said:

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Bought a Hustler Raptor X in that exact price range a couple of years ago. Absolutely love it.

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This.

The Deere zero-turn saves time compared to my Troybuilt riding lawn mower. Worth every penny in time savings. I have a lot of bushes, trees, and things to go around.