Toro 74501 deck replacement

Good morning, my father just purchased a used Toro 74501 2001 model with a 44 inch deck. He was able to get a good price on the unit but unfortunately the deck has started to rust out. Is there any replacement deck(plain without spindles/etc installed) that isn't $1500? maybe a newer deck that could be installed on it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Joe

A good handyman grade MIG/TIG welding machine is 1/3 the price of that deck.
Time to acquire some new skills ?
Decks are expensive but if you have the time a bare pressing should go around $ 500 over there.
I have around 20 mowers in the graveyard, because they all have either no deck or a deck rusted beyond repair.
When you do get something, if it is an old deck that needs repainting, give it the full POR 15 treatment and it will outlast you.
That stuff is tough , bullets bounce off it and it is the only paint that is actually fully water tight which can be applied at home.
When using the mower blow out the deck with air EVERY TIME you finish mowing.
Grass clippings are very acidic when fresh then go quite alkaline when decomposing so they really punish any finish.
Compressed air from a long ( 3' to 4' ) air duster works bst as it can blow the clippings out from around the pulleys without having to remove the covers.
Next best is a leaf blower.