Originally Posted by Air&Road

Jim is correct on this one. The $5K models are really cheaply built. You need to double that for a decent unit. You need to get a small commercial unit rather than a large residential.

There are many good brands. Bad boy commercial is a good value. I had one for a long time. They handle a little more clunky than others but are as tough as a Sherman tank. I now have a front deck, 72” grasshopper with a power vac and dump from the seat hopper. A tough, well built unit, but not cheap. Worth seeking out used, but be aware that they also make a residential unit that should probably be avoided.