My $.02.
I have found after decades of lawn mowing that not all decks are created equal. I had two tractors, (lawn and garden), of the same brand. The garden tractor with a 54" deck would clog with a little dew on the grass, or even if the grass was too tall. The lawn tractor would mow tall...
Rent one for a week. That will answer your question of whether or not you need to own one. Weekly and monthly rentals are much cheaper than the daily rate.
This was on the first day I got the tractor. Had to move a couple of Hickory logs. The second was approx. 30.0 dia. x 12' long and too heavy to lift so I improvised.