International 5 rotary mower question

[Botabill]

Anyone had experience with a International 5 rotary mower. Kinda like a bush hog. It is a 3PH with power take of shaft. Any postitive or negative comments? Thanks!

 

[greg_g]

Don't know it by that name, but I had an IM500 five foot rotary cutter distributed and supported by International Machinery Corp up in Ohio. I think their name now is World AgriTech or something similar. Good enough value for the money that I upgraded it to their IM602 model when I got a bigger tractor.

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

They are decent mowers but I do not like the design of using angle iron to support the deck externally. It holds water and grass clippings and rust out the top deck. If you can keep it inside and clean it will last a long time. My co worker has one and it rusted from the problems I mentioned above n about 5 years.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

Interesting. I had the IM500 for about 5 years - followed by the IM602 for another five. Both were stored out in the pasture 365 days a year. Neither showed/shows even the slightest indication of rust perforation.

Now the cab corners and rear wheel arches on my Ford/GMC/Chevy pickup trucks are a whole different story.........I wish they'd hold up as well as my rotary cutters.

//greg//

 

[PHIL850]

I bought a very well used one (IM500) for $50.00 and ran it over all kinds of Maple sapplings without a problem! It looks like ****, but does the job! Get a Slip clutch, so you don't go through shear pins, like I did at first.

regards, Phil

 

[bullbreaker]

Go to Home to see INTERNATIONAL attachmemts your describing. I dont know if this business still there but web site still open with prices in OHIO. I have never dealt w-them. I do have their (INTERNATIONAL) single 14 plow,square tubing boom pole, 12in. PHD, bought it all new from outfit in FLA. Have been good stuff for what I PAID.

 

[whistlepig]

I had one for several years. Only complaint was that the stump jumper was too flimsy. It bent easily and I finally had to have stiffeners welded to it. Taking a stump jumper off and on isn't much fun.

 

[kebo]

Anyone had experience with a International 5 rotary mower. Kinda like a bush hog. It is a 3PH with power take of shaft. Any postitive or negative comments? Thanks!

Does it look anything like my International IM502??? I think they are very well made mowers. I got this one used for $500. The "502" indicates slipclutch, which mine has. The "500" is the same one with a shear bolt. I've only used it a few times since I got it and it's worked great but I will really put it to the test when we start bushhogging at our hunt club in a few more weeks. As already mentioned about the deck holding water, mine does has some very minor surface rust on top of the deck, between the gearbox and tailwheel. If you drill some weep holes in the squares, there shouldn't be any problems with the deck rusting through though.

 

[whistlepig]

This is just like the one I owned except the three point on this one is a little different. The one I had didn't have an access hole through the top of the deck so that you could get a socket on the nut that holds the blades on. I had someone put this hole in with a cutting torch.

 

[MikeD74T]

I've owned an IM500 for about 8 years. Agree that it collects stuff on the top but is always stored under cover so rust is no issue. Ran an over run clutch when on my Ford 841D. Now use a slip clutch on the tractor with my Kioti DK45S. I highly recommend the slip clutch even if you use an overrun. Probably a 6' would be better on the Kioti. My dealer cut a hole with a holesaw over the blade bolts & hinged the cutout with a bolt down tab. They should come that way. Both the original blade bolts broke, at different times, but I've had no other troubles. Just last week I tried mowing without any toplink, I like that much better. I always carry a chain so could have lifted it if necessary. MikeD74T

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interesting. I had the IM500 for about 5 years - followed by the IM602 for another five. Both were stored out in the pasture 365 days a year. Neither showed/shows even the slightest indication of rust perforation.

Now the cab corners and rear wheel arches on my Ford/GMC/Chevy pickup trucks are a whole different story.........I wish they'd hold up as well as my rotary cutters.

//greg//[/QUOTE

Must just be the difference in climate or maybe they have changed the materials or design over time? All I know is I have spent 5 hours plus cutting out the top of the thing and welding in new 3/16" steel. What a job.

All in all they are a good unit. All I was trying to say is they do have this one issue. If the price was right I would buy anything, even a GM truck.



Chris

 

[PHIL850]

Mine is old and beat, but does the job. One of these days i am going to have to
turn it over and take a looksy.

Phil C.

 

[Botabill]

Yep the mower I'm looking at looks like Kebo's. However very rusty. Looks like it's been stored outside. It will be sold at auction and I haven't been able to look it over in the flesh yet. Based on everyones replies here it is seems it is generally a good mower but there are things to watch out for. That opens up a couple more questions. Do you think a 26 HP tractor will run it? What would a reasonable price range to pay be? Thanks! Bill

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yep the mower I'm looking at looks like Kebo's. However very rusty. Looks like it's been stored outside. It will be sold at auction and I haven't been able to look it over in the flesh yet. Based on everyones replies here it is seems it is generally a good mower but there are things to watch out for. That opens up a couple more questions. Do you think a 26 HP tractor will run it? What would a reasonable price range to pay be? Thanks! Bill

26 Hp is plenty for a 5' mower. The rule of thumb on a BH type mower is 5 Hp per foot, so you are right in the neighborhood.

As for auctions, good luck. Everything I have ever bid on at a auction goes for more than a new one. Example, I went after a 6.5' Taylor 3 point Backhoe. They sell for $4250 new 3 hours drive each way from my house. This thing sold for just over $4500 at the auction. My rule of thumb is I will pay half price for a used piece of equipment. So I would give no more than $400. I bought 2 used BH out of a farmers lot for $300 total. One is a Ford and is heavy but needed a little welding and the other was a Woods I painted and replaced a few bolts then resold.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

Do you think a 26 HP tractor will run it?

Depends upon whether you're talking 26 engine hp, or 26 PTO hp. If the latter, no problem. But the five foot rule applies to PTO hp. So whether or not your tractor has enough all around grunt for a five footer depends upon the terrain - and upon the material to be cut. If you're speaking of 26 engine hp, you may encounter difficulty mowing up moderate to steep hills and heavy/wet/tall grass and weeds.

If you actually conclude that your tractor can handle a five footer without difficulty - AND if the rusty appearance is cosmetic rather than structural - they're likely to be in the neighborhood of about $450 used.

//greg//

 

[Botabill]

Good point about the PTO HP. My tractor is a 26 HP but I think the PTO HP is 23 HP. That make it close given the more strenuous applications that it could encounter. Thanks for the thought food.