best finish mower brand for $

treesawer · May 5, 2003

I'll soon be the owner of a new Kioti DK-50 & want to use a finish mower to shorten my mow time on 1.5 acres. I've looked at 1st Choice,Woods($$$$),Bevco,King & a few off brands. Is side discharge best or rear? confused

Paul

Yukon · May 5, 2003

I prefer the rear discharge as it spreads the clippings out more even. I can also mow up against things like a flower bed, garden etc without worrying about the side discharge. I own a Farm King by Buhler and I've had no problems. Good Luck.

Bird · May 5, 2003

I agree with Yukon; prefer the rear discharge. My dealer, 4 years ago, said that a couple of years earlier he couldn't sell a rear discharge mower; everyone wanted side discharge, but by 1999 he was selling rear discharge 3 to 1 over the side discharge.

Inspector507 · May 5, 2003

Rear discharge. I have a private labeled Caroni. Happy as can be with it, for the price /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · May 5, 2003

have had both, but much prefer my current rear discharge. also my mower is a befco 5 ft rfm, extremly well built, but i do beleive in all name brands there are differnt grades of the same size mower, u need to be sure u know what u are getting. i had a king cutter before and it was ok not nearly as well built as the befco and also a lot harder to adjust or replace the belts, the befco is a snap.

BeeBop · May 5, 2003

Go ahead and procure the woods rd 8400 rear discharge and count your blessings. I have one and love it, very, very tough implement.

Pacesetter300 · May 5, 2003

Check with your dealer. I can't keep track of who labels what, but the Kioti brand is I think a Midwest, I would get the 72" RFM, possibly the 84" in your situation. Should save some $$$ by setting it up as a package deal.
Pacesetter

agcomike · May 5, 2003

I got a curtis 72" pretty heavy duty unit.. no complaints..
I'd look at features some offer grease fittings on top.. hi lift blades, mulching blades and front rollers.. also check out the belt and ease of service is key... then guy a fertilizer spreader cuz you won't have grass to mow in a hurry..

Gary_in_Indiana · May 6, 2003

I have a rear discharge 6' model by Woods that I bought used and it's a real nice piece. I'm sure I wouldn't have sprung for one new. So much depends on your personal use, the terrain, what you're cutting, etc., that it's tough to say which is best for your money. Having something "tougher" isn't a big deal if you're only cutting fine grass on a hard, level surface. If you have terrain like mine, something like a light duty Howse isn't a bargain at almost any price.

luoisz · May 6, 2003

I have just bought a new LandPride 5' mower and am very well pleased. I have shopped all of the brands and settled on the LP. I waited months for a mower from Midwest but their mower just was not into production yet. Midwest seems to make great stuff but I could not wait any longer. I have used a FarmKing and was pleased with this unit also but the rounded front end on the LP I find is more forgiving when you get a little too close to trees fence posts etc. I own several pieces of Bushhog eqpt and love all of it. I really was giving the bushhog brand a lot of favortism with their past reputation they have built with me, but the fit and finish of their mower is poor. They also use bushings in the wheels instead of bearings. Unlike a lot of TBN'ers I do not like the First Choice mower. While many compare the FC to a LandPride if you compare them side by side you can see several differences.

In my opinion the LandPride was a good mix of quality and value. But I would not buy any mower without checking with JimMc at MidWest to see if their mower is in production. His mower may be worth the wait. I have been told that his mower will have all of the best features at an affordable price and made in the USA.