Rear Finish Mower Finish Mower Recommendations

[CaptPat]

Looking for recommendations for a finish mower. So far I've looked at the Bush Hog HDTH6, Woods TPK72, and LandPride FDR1672. I'm open to other brands as long as they have a good parts network and are quickhitch compatible.

 

[John0829]

I just picked up a used Woods RD8400 in very good shape that I am more than pleased with. I cut part of the acreage (close to the house) with the ZT and the rest with the Woods and you cannot tell the difference between the cut of the two. I used to have a LandPride 2572, it was a good mower, cut well but there was something about the cut you could tell between the ZT and it.

Just not nearly as nice a cut as this Woods IMHO.

 

[old and tired]

https://greenville.craigslist.org/grd/d/duncan-finishing-mower/7758081163.html

NOT my ad but the same unit that I have. It's a tank... and cuts great.

 

[aesanders]

Caroni makes a very nice finish mower. They have had a long history of happy users.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a Frontier GM4072 rear finish mower [rfm], I think it is made by Woods. I am impressed with its finish cut.

Edit. it does leave clumps of cut grass or strands if the grass was tall.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I have been running a Woods TKP 84.40 for about a year and a half (on a quick hitch and hyd top link), cutting about 14-15 acres of grass each use.

It cuts fine, but even after taking the chain guard off the rear, I still get clumping / windrows if cutting thicker grass ... it just doesnt do well with discharge, regardless of ground speed or RPMs.

Obviously nowhere near the cut / discharge of a ZRT, but it does the job when cutting big areas. My 72" ZRT with regular blades produces much finer clippings whereas the TKP discharges larger clippings before they've had a chance to be reduced down to finer pieces, hence the clumping and windrows.

The only issue I've had was replacing a broken Belleville washer on one of the blades when it fell off in pieces as I removed the blades to sharpen ... and let me tell you, Woods is REALLY PROUD of those washers!!!

 

[RjCorazza]

BefCo also makes quality rear finish mowers. I have a 50 series 84" that has worked well over the past 20 years.
I will add that it's rear discharge, and does leave windrows in heavier grass. Were I to get another rear finish mower it would be a side discharge.

 

[chim]

Had a couple LandPrides that were nice - one 5' side discharge and a 6' rear discharge. My BIL has a 90" Woods that is impressive, but they're listed for close to $8K!

I like Caroni RFM's. Have a rebuilt 5 footer that I made from one that I bought new in 1991 and a donor found on CL. Have another 7-1/2' Caroni that I bought and refurbed. It was a fairly major project to replace the old baffles and the bump trim around the front and sides.

 

[CaptPat]

I'll check out the Befco and Caroni, there are dealers that are local for both. I expect to be cutting often enough that windrows won't be an issue. It may not be as nice as my ZRT, but I'm done with mowing in the heat and humidity and ending up covered debris, it's time to use the air-conditioned cab of my tractor

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I'll check out the Befco and Caroni, there are dealers that are local for both. I expect to be cutting often enough that windrows won't be an issue. It may not be as nice as my ZRT, but I'm done with mowing in the heat and humidity and ending up covered debris, it's time to use the air-conditioned cab of my tractor

Exactly why I couldn't care less about windrows, the A/C in the cab makes up for it!