Rear finish mower options

[slckeys]

So a quick backstory on why I'm here... Few weeks ago my current rear finish mower gearbox decided to blow up on me and quit working. It's an older Bobcat branded one. Parts and gearbox no longer available. A correct replacement with the proper gear ratio and direction is $1100 best I could locate. It's older, used weekly with it's quirks. Looking at used in other brands as an option especially for parts availability down the road.

I found 2 used Mahindra branded finish mowers. Both 7' width. Curious if anyone knows who makes them? Quality? General reliability even. Also found a Befco brand 7' finish mower. Same questions. I read the Mahindra ones may be rebranded Kodiak? I can't find much info on those mowers myself.

There are more options in the 6' range, but I'd like to try and stick with 7' unless there is a significant argument otherwise. Anything... Info, quality, personal experience on either brand is greatly appreciated. Thinking about scrap price for the current one to offset a little cost maybe.

Thank you all for the help in advance!

 

[slckeys]

Also located a bush hog brand if anyone has input on that as well. Thank you.

 

[workinonit]

I have a 21 foot batwing FM with 3 of those 7' Befco mowers you mentioned. I really like them. Never had an issue. I do have all of my 12 wheels foam filled. Mine is a Frontier branded Befco.

 

[slckeys]

Good to know. Thank you. I see they came with either solid or air filled tires depending how it was ordered originally.

 

[RjCorazza]

Air filled tires gave me nothing but problems on my 7’ Befco mower. I replaced them with solid tires several years ago.

 

[slckeys]

Yeah, I got rid of the air filled ones on my current mower. I'd do the same with the next. So that's 2 positive for the Befco. The most expensive one I'm debating of course

 

[old and tired]

I have Bush Hog RDTH72, It's a tank and has served me 18 years and I bought it used. Had to fit a couple of bent things and weld up a few broken things before I ran it.... But other than grease and changing the oil a couple of times... works flawlessly all this time.

Oh, did have to replace the belt twice so far... and a new set of blades, too.

 

[slckeys]

Thank you for the input on the bush hog experience. I am going to try and look at both the bush hog and Befco. I think the Mahindra one is out because I can't find definitive info for finding parts down the road if problems arise.

 

[loggin]

Thank you for the input on the bush hog experience. I am going to try and look at both the bush hog and Befco. I think the Mahindra one is out because I can't find definitive info for finding parts down the road if problems arise.

I would say stick to the manufacturers that have been around for many years, they tend to have the best parts support. Landpride is another one to consider.

 

[slckeys]

I would say stick to the manufacturers that have been around for many years, they tend to have the best parts support. Landpride is another one to consider.

This is exactly why I'm thinking about unloading/scrapping the Bobcat branded one in favor of either the Befco or the Bush Hog brand.

Both are about 2 hours from me in complete opposite directions though. Similar in price, but the Befco one says it's only a year old and he's unloading it this year for some reason. They are shaped differently and the wheels are at different locations in reference to one another. Bush Hog seems to have them inward, while the Befco has them pushed towards the edges of looks.

Probably can't go wrong with either one, just wanted some feedback before dropping good money on another expense. Hoping now chime in with thoughts. And I do very much appreciate everyone who's answered so far. Mahindra model is out because no opinions or even solid manufacturer info for parts.