Buying Advice Bushhog 286/Ford 2600

[jacain]

Hello everyone,

I have two questions. First, does $1600 for a "like new" Bushhog 286 medium duty mower sound alright? Second, am I going to be able to run this thing with my Ford 2600 diesel. I really want a medium duty bushhog as I plan to eventually upgrade to a 50+ PTO HP tractor in the future. I will be using it to clear 1.5 to 2" saplings and brush initially and want something that will hold up as I may be purchasing more property in the future that will need to be cleared for pasture or trails. Any advise you all may have would be great! Thanks in advance.

Justin

 

[bullbreaker]

Just giving my :2cents: on the 286 question. Here are some for sale http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/li...OG&ETID=1&Mdltxt=286&MdlX=Contains&notfound=1 with similar prices. What is like new ? Was it sitting on dealer lot and paint faded some(no big deal). Or was it actually used in cutting situation ? I'd offer a couple hundred less and see if they accept. If just stock left over on dealers lot I think it's a good deal.

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286 one great B-hog IMO. If you buy check your gearbox oil and make sure your pto shaft goes home with it.

Boone

 

[RickB]

Yes to both questions. The 2600 may be a little light on the front if not ballasted.

 

[jacain]

Thanks a lot Bullbreaker and RickB. I really appreciate the feedback. I will give the guy a call and see what the history is on the unit and see if be can send me some picks. I will let you know what I find out.

Justin

 

[Soundguy]

ditto that. I'd for sure ballast it.

a 2600 should swing a 6' mower fine..

 

[jacain]

Soundguy,

Thanks for reinforcing what RickB said. That makes me feel more confident in purchasing a 6 footer for my tractor. I plan on ballasting with a few 100 pound plates (barbell). Will post setup once it is fabricated. Looks like the bushhog is a few years old and paint is a little faded but deck looks good. Missing rubber around the rear of unit also. Here is the CL posting. BUSH HOG MODEL 286 BUSHOG It is about an hour from my house and I am having a hard time lining up a way to transport it. Need to rent 7 ft wide trailer to get it home but everything I have found online from the equipment rental places are 6 ft. U-Haul has car/equipment trailer but not sure they will let me hook it to my expedition. Thanks again everyone for the feedback I will let you know what happens.

Justin

 

[Soundguy]

got a deckover trailer? 6' is fine.. just lay 2 4x4 across it and span it.

heck.. i've loded them canted in the bed of a truck making sure the blades aren't pressed.

lotsa options.

soundguy

 

[jacain]

That's a great idea to use the 4x4's. Thanks again!

JC

 

[Soundguy]

looks like the seller alread has it propepd on 4x4.. i bet a wheel and deal would let them go with t he mower for transport..

 

[jacain]

Just thought I would post an update. Had to move into my new house this weekend so was not able to go check this thing out in person. I also just sold my Expedition so I have the cash in hand and the gentleman said it is still available. I am going to head up after work and possibly make an offer on it. BTW, found out that best friends parents have Chevy 3500 dually and car trailer so I am good to go on transporting this thing. Lets hope everything under the deck looks good. Will also check gearbox oil and look for any leaks. I guess the other thing to look for would be unacceptable gearbox shaft backlash. If there is anything else I am missing please feel free to let me know. Thanks again for everyone's help.

Justin

 

[Piston]

I had been looking for a 286 for a long time, and I would pay that price for one in really good condition. I look at it this way, even if the guy won't budge much, and will only go to say 1500 or so, but you want it for 1300 or whatever, do you really want that couple hundred dollars to stop you from having one of the best 6' rotary cutters out there? That cutter will most likely last you a life time. Like I said, if I was still looking, I'd buy it if I were you.
I recently drove 6.5 hrs one way to pick up my new Brown 472 rotary cutter (new to me) which is extremely similar to the 286. A good used (true medium duty) cutter is hard to find.
This is how I got mine home.

 

[Soundguy]

check the tailwheel bushings and fork.. etc.. make sure it has not had the top rotted out.. etc. normal stuff.

gearbox and whatnot is the big issue..

 

[Piston]

How did you make out regarding the Bush Hog?

 

[jacain]

I told the guy the night befor I was going to go by after work and check it out. I left work a little early so I could make it there in enough time to see it in the daylight. I called him and he wasn't available so I just sent him a text that I coming by and when I was halfway there he sent me a text that some one bought it an hour earlier. He then called me and told me the person gave him his asking price. Man I was tweaked because I had the money in my hand and would have given him his asking price but just told him I guess it wasn't meant to be. I could just kick myself for not taking the morning off and heading up there. The good thing is now I actually have the cash set aside so if I ever see a deal like that again I can jump on it asap. I really appreciate everyone's input and will keep you updated. This whole thing was hinging on the sale of my expedition and it just took a few more days than I wanted to close the deal. Oh well, better luck next time Btw, Piston that is one nice Brown cutter you got there. I saw one of their tree cutters the other day on one of the road crew tractors and it looked bad a@@. Take care.

Justin

 

[Piston]

Well that sucks to here! Man that's too bad that deal got away from you. That cutter appeared to be in really good shape. One thing my dad always tells me is "you can't win em all buddy".

I don't think that price was a "steal" by any means though, it's just that good condition 286's don't show up a lot.

Well, check out the thread I posted about heavy duty rotary cutters on the used market. It has some really well known models to search for.

Good luck in your searches and keep us posted!

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. if I look at somethig.. want it and go back for it. 99% of te time it's gone right before i got there..