Harbor Freight Finish Mower

[ding2520]

Does anyone have any experience with this unit? Price is right....

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[radioman]

dude! - its seems to be a 3 footer !! look at the dimenstion statement : Cutting width: 57-7/8"; Cutting height: 1-3/8" to 4-1/2"; Blade length: 20-5/8" L; Overall dimensions: 59" L x 38-1/4" W x 17-3/8" H

WHY DOES THE OVERALL DIMENSION IS 38 1/4 WIDE FOR A 57- 7/8 CUTTING ??
Most SCUT's are 48 inchers so you be making alot of overlaps mowing just to cover the tire tracks. That is alot of extra time mowing. I see the wheels looks like it belongs on a hospital bed ? I wouldnt trust it on my lawn - it looks like it will make skids marks. Also I dont see any weight posted. I can't think of a reason why I would want a 3 ft finish mower behind a 48" SCUT , unless you looking for a reason for the extra seat time?

 

[Bedlam]

WOW Never noticed seems like the measurements are confused. That wouldnt be the first time for HF.
It does say the width is 38 1/4 with legnth of 59 inches.
seems maybe these two numbers are mis -matched.

 

[CurlyDave]

dude! - its seems to be a 3 footer !! look at the dimenstion statement : Cutting width: 57-7/8"; Cutting height: 1-3/8" to 4-1/2"; Blade length: 20-5/8" L; Overall dimensions: 59" L x 38-1/4" W x 17-3/8" H

WHY DOES THE OVERALL DIMENSION IS 38 1/4 WIDE FOR A 57- 7/8 CUTTING ??...

I think the only problem with the dimensions is that whoever measured the box it comes in got the length and width reversed. Take another look at the picture. I suspect the buyer has to do some of the final assembly, including putting the wheels on. It is perfectly reasonable for that implement to fit in box 59" x 38 1/4" x 17". You just have to understand that the guy measuring it has probably never driven a tractor, may never have even seen one close up.

HF may sell inexpensive Chinese imports, and I have seen them make this kind of harmless, almost comical error before, but I have never seen them deliberately mislead with their specifications. If they say the cutting width is 57 7/8" you can get out your tape and it will be as close to that as you can measure a cut swath. Now the bearings may be lubed with peanut butter and the castings made from pot metal, which is why you need to see it for yourself, but the dimensions will be right.

 

[allen in texas]

at der's uncle billy bob on the tractor.

 

[ed_cj2a]

I have this mower
Farm Pro 6' Finishing Mower 03182
Homier.com is a (usully)cheaper version of Harbor Freight. The quality seems to be the same for fewer $.

The mower is okay. Keep the oil changed in the gearbox (it tends to pick up moisture) and don't run into trees and it should last a while. Keep the caster wheels lubed.
I use it as a backup to a front mount mower that does a better job. You will always have long grass left where your tractor tires leave compressed grass. It will cut grass but don't expect a golf fairway.

 

[jmfox]

Or this one, for the same price:

jmf

 

[J_J]

There is nothing wrong about the measurement. The cutting width is correct, 57 something. because the 20 5/8 blades overlap. Length, front to back is about 38 something, and the total deck width has to be longer that the total blade length with overlap, which is 59 something.

Most dimensions are given as length, width, height. .

 

[radioman]

There is nothing wrong about the measurement. The cutting width is correct, 57 something. because the 20 5/8 blades overlap. Length, front to back is about 38 something, and the total deck width has to be longer that the total blade length with overlap, which is 59 something.

Most dimensions are given as length, width, height. .

Okay - since you guys put it that way - you probably right about that.

 

[greg_g]

Regardless, it's a peesacrap - I unfortunately bought the same hunkajunk from Rural King. 20+ years of Navy maintenance training have molded me well, and nearly everything I own is as good or better than the day I bought it. Except this crappy rotary cutter. I might wish it on my worst enemy, but I certainly would never foist it upon an unsuspecting stranger. Rather than sell the sucker in the local rag, I think I'll just sell it by the pound to the local steel recycler.

//greg//

 

[Yandaddy1110]

I had one of these, 5 footer, sold it last year. For 6 hundred bucks , its a pretty good buy. Its not a LandPride ,thats for sure, mine preformed well for the 2 years I used it. Its had some issues though, busted off 2 caster wheels due to bad welds, easy fix though. The paint on the thing came off in sheets around the welds on the deck, and the rubber on the wheels would chip off at the edges. Despite the problems I would buy another one.

 

[jmfox]

I had one of these, 5 footer

Did you have the finish mower?

jmf

 

[scott_vt]

Does anyone have any experience with this unit? Price is right....

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Good Mornin Ding,
I would be really suspect on that mower for that price. Im thinking its not a very good piece of equipment, based on absolutely no info on my part. I would be more inclined to spend a few hundred more and get a Caroni or similar mower and have some piece of mind that it will last for a number of years ! JMO !

 

[daBear]

Obviously a Chinese knockoff. Buyer beware. Warning Will Robinson Warning!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Check this thread for a 20% OFF coupon from Harbor Freight. 20% off of $700, $560 is not bad deal.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/138465-20-off-coupon-anything-harbor.html

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Did you have the finish mower?

jmf

Yes, I purchased new the 5' version of this finish mower and used it for 2 years.

 

[have_blue]

I have the identical 6' version under the "Howse Import" brand. It's also sold under Northern Tools and Homier brands.

The wheels and tires are junk. If you hit a medium sized dirt clod or crawfish chimney, the caster wheel spindles break off at the weld.

I took the blades off and sharpened them, and while balancing them, I couldn't balance 1 of the 3. It soon became apparent why. The heavy end of the bad blade was around 1/16" thicker than the rest! I had to grind on it for 30 minutes to balance it decently.

I actually like the housing, the pulleys, belt adjustment, and the beefy looking spindles and bearings. I do not like the hitch, as it puts the mower too close to the tractor tires. If you're not careful, you can hit the tractor tires with the mower wheels when lifting it.

The unit is noisy. The gearbox ratio is on the low side, so blade tip speed is too low. That necessitates running your tractor wide open to get an acceptable cut. A 5' Bush Hog finish mower can be run at a lower RPM, and still cuts fine. Overall, the cut quality rates a "D" in my book.

I have replaced the RFM with a 6' Bush Hog Squealer(which mows grass better!), and as soon as I can weld the spindles back on 2 of the wheels, I'm selling it... cheap and with caveats.

I do not recommend this unit unless you are handy with tools and welding, and like to tinker.

 

[jmfox]

I have the identical 6' version

Is this what you have. If it is, it is not the same as the Harbor Freight mower that has boxed support to the wheels.

jmf

 

[have_blue]

Is this what you have. If it is, it is not the same as the Harbor Freight mower that has boxed support to the wheels.

Ya, identical except the color. Mine is red.


The wheel assemblies in your pictures and the one below look identical to mine.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[jmfox]

I'm seeing a boxed axle arm on the Harbor Freight mower. Look at the one nearest the tractor's right rear tire.

jmf