I forgot to mention - another that I ruled out (and maybe shouldn't?) is the Dixie Chopper Zee 1 or 2. The Zee 1 is $2,900 for a 19.5hp Briggs. The blade tip speed is only 16,900, BUT that's because it's a 3-blade 42" deck. The tip speed is lower because the blades are so short. I think the blade RPMs are as high or higher than the others I've looked at. The Zee 2 has about the same BTS but adds a 21hp Kawasaki and ZT2800 transaxles for $3,800. Is it tip speed or RPM that will have the biggest effect on cut and ability to make it through thick grass?
Blade tip speed is important, but I can't tell you(and don't think anyone else can) that higher BTS = better cut quality or what the "minimum" BTS for adequate cut quality is because I think there is more to it than that
Exmark gets my vote.
7mph forward speed vs. 6mph on other 2.
Grass don't care if mower "looks" substantial. Plastic= un-sprung weight reduction, plus they've always been that way to get it right.
18500 bts- Cuts finer pieces, plus better for the faster forward speed cutting properly. OSHA limit is 19K bts.
Company history and rep. more solid, must be doing something right.
Just my opinion 8^)