As far as size I imagine at the end of all this I will follow advice I have seen on here earlier and that is to get the biggest tractor I can afford. Unfortunately there will always be a bigger one calling my name and taunting my wallet
Is there any concern using a MMM with the larger heavier tractors? Tearing up or compacting the lawn? I'm trying to get the best of both worlds were my wife or I can mow the lawn, but also have all the benefits of a real tractor.
For brands I have been focused on JD and Kubota as they are the only ones I am familiar with, but would appreciate any input. From other postings it appears a lot comes down to personal preference or brand loyalty aside from some obvious price differences between some of the cheaper and or name brands.
Once you start visiting dealers, PHYSICAL SIZE will intimidate your desire for too large a tractor at first.
You do not want a MMM with your tractor. Use the mower you have now or buy a Three Point Hitch mounted rear Finish Mower, a Flail Mower or a Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog. MMM have to be removed to provide ground clearance for other tasks, a tedious process. MMMs are tractor brand specific; Finish Mowers and Rotary Cutters are not. With a Finish Mower you can mow under trees and under most fences, so less trimming. Flail Mowers are a little expensive but cut nicely and are compact. (Rotary Cutters are not as maneuverable as Finish Mowers, nor do 'Hogs provide a fine, groomed cut.)
(In any case, a MMM or Finish Mower should have inside storage so the blades maintain corrosion free. 'Hogs, among the most indestructible of implements, usually store outside. )
I do not tear up my own lawn with my 5,400 pound tractor with industrial (R4) tires, but I live in an area where mud is unknown. You are intending to buy an FEL, so you will likely opt for industrial tires, which are wider and have heavier sidewalls to support FEL loads, rather than R1 Ag tires. Also industrial tires are more puncture resistant at the burn pile and in the woods.
Dealer cordiality, service and access are more important than tractor brand. While you pay more for a Deere or a Kubota, they depreciate less than other brands, so you recover most of the premium when you sell, so don't worry too much about that. I am grateful my Kubota dealer is just six miles from my property.
As your wife will operate the tractor you almost certainly want an HST transmission, which is easy to learn to operate and operate with max torque at low speeds.