School me on old used rotary cutters

[XR4140]

Example: Is this worth $400?

Old Hog on CL


Im looking for a 6'+ tho....What are the pitfalls to be aware of, when looking at an old turd?

 

[atsah]

probably is worth $400 if the driveshaft is straight and the gearbox isn’t leaking oil everywhere and isn’t making a racket.

 

[treedawg]

Rotary cutters take a beating...

They could have cracked decks, bent PTO shafts, skidder plates worn completely off, leaking gear boxes and or broken/chipped gears.

You just have to give it a thorough once over and it would be best if you could see it cut and lift it up to see under it.

td

 

[bkrgi]

Tractor Mike on youtube just did a vid on vibrations from a rotary plus a few things to look for
Run it before you buy it is all I can add

 

[XR4140]

Thanks guys. Of course the guy sold his tractor and cant test it. After seeing it, looked to be gushing oil from the gear box.

 

[atsah]

Thanks guys. Of course the guy sold his tractor and cant test it. After seeing it, looked to be gushing oil from the gear box.

I would stay clear of it unless you want to buy a new gearbox for $275.00..

 

[goeduck]

Seems like the owner would pull it out, pressure wash the deck and generally clean it up before listing it. But you see this all the time on CL. I always look for things like that and a clean a garage (or whatever) in the background. I would rather buy from someone who gives a carp and how they keep their place often tells me how they keep their equipment.

 

[atsah]

It's a rugged unit and I would have no problem giving him what it's worth, I would say it's worth $250 and that's it with a gearbox leaking. last year I gave $600 for an old International 4 footer that had a new gearbox, really good rugged mower.

 

[MESSMAKER]

It is probably worth it. Cornhead grease in the gearbox and a coat of paint and you may well be fine. I would like to know that the gearbox was not history. Can you bring your tractor to the site and try it out or get him to give your $ back if gearbox is locked up?

 

[MitchellB]

I bought one just like that for $300 a few years back that was in way worst condition. Welded up the cracks, put a new wheel behind it, filled up the leaky gearbox with grease & painted the rust. We had just bought a piece of property that was overgrown for several years and use it behind my 49 8N Ford to clear it off. Hit a few saplings that the old tractor could barely push over, but that Bush Hog chewed them all up. Used it that one time, sold it and made a few bucks to boot. That old Hog was a tough piece of equipment. If you can get a look under it at the blades and see if the gearbox turns, I wouldn't be afraid of it, but I'd offer less and see what he says.