I bought a 48" cut bush hog brand about 10 years ago and ran the dog out of it. I paid $600.00 for it bent the axle frame twice, had it re-welded three times for cracks, broke the remote throttle off so it only ran wide open and broke the front tow hitch off in 6 years of use. I then bought a tractor with a finish mower and bush hog that run off my PTO and put the old bush hog outside with a 5 gallon bucket over the engine for the next 4 years. Last spring I washed it off, put fresh gas in the engine and fired it up. Took one picutre of it and put in on ebay and sold it for $510.00 I think I got my money out of it.
They are now coming with larger hp motors than what mine had, 8hp, and much safer. I'd recommend that you check ebay often and larger motorcycle and ATV stores sometimes carry then. They are not typically good sellers and dealers will gladly make you a deal on one they have in stock or they used for a demo. Good Luck!