Name brand or generic rotary mower?

[comrade]

I am needing to buy a rotary mower for thick weeds in my backyard. I tried doing it by hand with a good Echo weed whacker with a cutting blade on it, but I'm not getting anywhere fast. I have a 3.5 acre plot.

Is there really a difference between buying a Bush Hog/ name brand rotary mower, versus a generic one say from Northern Tool or Orscheln Home and Farm? Anyone have bad news regarding generic ones?

Thanks.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Is there really a difference between buying a Bush Hog/ name brand rotary mower, versus a generic one say from Northern Tool or Orscheln Home and Farm? </font>

Yes.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You get what you pay for and low priced units may be just the ticket if you don't plan on using them much. On the other hand if you use it a lot, an expensive heavily built unit will last a decade or two of heavy use.

Decide your usage needs and allow the needs you have to determine your budget because ultimately if you buy the wrong unit it will be a waste of money.

 

[Soundguy]

Yes.. there is a difference. You can pay in the 1000$ range and up for a 5' rotary mower from a good brand.. like NH, JD, Bush Hog, schulte, .. etc. And they are like tanks.. and heavy.
They perform and last a long time if use correctly and cared for.
That said.. you can get a light to medium duty 5' roatry mower in the 500$ range. Not as heavy duty, and not as heavy. Usually the sheet metal is thinner, as well as the braces.

Sometimes weight works to your advantage. i do alot of mowing with the antique tractors I collect. While they have the pto hp for a 5' mower.. some of them have hyd capacities limited to 800# on the 3pt. I've seen 5' rotary mowers they simply couldn't lift.. or if they did lift it.. the hydro pump was drawing way too much hp away fromthe engine...

For occasional cutting.. I'd go light duty. If you plan to buy then sell.. you'll take more of a money loss on the high priced unit.

I've cut for 4 seaons with my 5' KK mower.. 13 ac at a time... -0- problems so far. I also have a 10' howse.. which addmitedly is part of their heavy duty line ( heavy duty line at from an economy brand.. almost sounds funny.. ) It mechanically works great.. though i need to get used to mowing with a 10' multi bladed mower rather than a 5' single bladed mower.

Also.. if you sharpen your blades a tad.. and cut often.. a rotary cutter will make a decent cut, and almost make a lawn apperaance.. more like a shaggy lawn.. etc.

Soundguy