Finishing Mower Recommendations

[redvettemike]

I have a newly purchased 1987 John Deere 855 tractor; 24HP Yanmar diesel. What are some good recommendtions for a pull behind finishing mower. Say 60" or 72". Are there some American made units out there? Thanks for any advice.
Mike

 

[oldnslo]

I believe that both Woods and Land Pride (Kubota) are American made and of decent quality. Not sure on models though.

 

[redvettemike]

I see that John Deere sells these pull behind units. Their price is about double the good competition.

 

[RjCorazza]

Befco is another quality brand. I have an 84" rfm that has been dependable over the years. I would definitely not go smaller than 72" unless you have some unusual mowing requirements.

 

[bigtiller]

I think Frontier makes a good one. Starting on its 4th mowing season for me.

 

[Runner]

I have been running a Frontier GM1072R (which is really a Woods RD7200 painted green) on my 2520 for almost 20 years and it has delivered a good cut and no mechanical issues.

 

[fishheadbob]

Bush Hog.

 

[John0829]

I have owned both LandPride and Woods, construction wise both are well built and durable. For cut quality I have to give that to the Woods, at least mine cuts as well as the ZT. I have made side by side cuts and looking at them if anyone who did not know they would tell any difference other than width of cut.

 

[redvettemike]

The fellow that I bought the 855 from told me today that he has 3(!) finishing mowers for this 855. One is a JD, one a Land Pride and one he could not remember. They are in an old chicken house that has partially collapsed but he said all of them are pretty decent and not hurt by the collapse. He is going to pull them out and help me get whichever one is in the best shape. The price will be right!

 

[Cdash]

I bought a King Kutter brand when I got my 4100. Used it for a few years then got the specific belly mower from Deere. Was too inconvenient in my yard and the cut wasn't great. My recommendation is buy used. Seems like there are a million of them available to where they really aren't worth too much on the used market.

 

[dadohead]

My recommendation is buy used. Seems like there are a million of them available to where they really aren't worth too much on the used market.

I looked at used 3pt finish mowers a few years back to convert into a multi-spindle rotary cutter project. Every one I looked at was beat... bent blades and spindle pockets (very hard to repair). PO's used them like a rotary cutter in fields instead of a finish mower for turf. They were all priced ridiculously high too. I'd be very selective on a used 3pt finish mower.

 

[Fetch_21]

Haven't looked at a new one lately - but, I've beaten the hound out of a large Bush Hog one for 17 years. I've changed one spindle and a wheel or two. Parts are easy to find and they're tough. Most of what we cut is rough, uneven fields - and still get a great cut on the lawn.

 

[Hughman]

Land Pride FDR1672.
Excellent mower.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I have the Land Pride FDR 3690 ... The three indicates it's there "commercial" version, the 90, is how many inches of cut ...

It is extremely heavy duty and heavy, weighs 1100 Lbs on my scale!

One of the unique features is the blades hook two to a spindle, so 3 spindles, 6 blades, they pivot individually on the end of the bolt to the spindles hub ...

The bolts have a shoulder on them, so they spin/pivot freely.

I cut my field with it at 5" ...

 

[beenthere]

Looks like a good finishing mower.

Interesting way to measure the cutting height ??

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The base of the tape measure is 3" ... I put the top of the tape near the top of the uncut grass to show how high it was before cutting ... Cut height is adjustable from 1" - 6.5" in 1/4" increments.

 

[duffer]

I've had a 72" Sicma (labeled Phoenix) finish mower for 9 years. Only had to replace spindle bearings once. New blades a couple of times, as I mowed 10 acres of bermuda grass for 6 of the 9 years. Now down to 5 acres.

I question whether you should consider a 72" mower with only 25 ponies. My 38 hp handles the 72" just fine, but pulls pretty hard up hills. I think 72" might be a little much for 25 hp. A 60" might be a better pairing. Just sayin'...

 

[redvettemike]

You may be right on that 72" and that little Yanmar engine.
Tks

 

[Jaygyver]

I would pick the rear discharge if you have a choice, seems to spread the grass a lot wider than the side discharge.

This is with my 24hp JD-770 with my 60" Sitrex rear discharge mower,
Normally I use 1st high when mowing but have to drop it to 4th low in the higher greener grass as I can't mow the area until late May or early June if I'm lucky so the grass get pretty high and if I don't want to sink to my axle. I have half wet soggy and half dry field and it does fine in the dryer taller grass but have to reduce the speed in the higher greener area, it will strain the old belts a bit in the taller green grass if the blades aren't sharp. Once it drys out then I can cut normally.

I bought at the same time as my JD-770 from a JD dealer 28 years ago and I haven't even changed a belt yet. I only cut around 3 acres or so but when I built my house it was raw land. They say it will cut up to 2 inch trees or so. I didn't try it but have definitely chewed up at least that size tree limbs.

I have rebuilt a wheel spindle or two, had a couple of trees jump out at me.

 

[Brown Dog]

I have the Land Pride FDR 3690 ...

The bolts have a shoulder on them, so they spin/pivot freely.

View attachment 5708242

I had a 110” Befco RFM with free swinging blades like this & the shoulder bolts over the years ate into the hub from removing them so often replacing blades locking the blades down snug.
I didn’t like the free swinging blades & I mowed at 4.5”
I liked my old 72” land pride & 84” bush hog RFM fixed blade design much better & they had faster blade tip speed cutting much better.

What is the BTS of this 3690 ?