While I use a residential Country Clipper 48" mower for my acre, I think it would be a good idea if you would check out one of their commercial mowers, considering how much you mow. The biggest selling point for me was joystick steering, rather than the two levers needed to operate an M113 APC.
I'm with you on that. I just bought my first CC, and I chose the XLT 48" for that very reason, although it also comes with a more robust pair of drive units than the other residential units.