Value of 7' Woods PRD 8400 Finish Mower?

[John_in_TN]

Since you bought it last year, suggest you check current price of a new one before you price it. You may be in for a suprise. The prices around here have gone up more than 25% this year.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Thanks for the feeback...I'm not in a hurry so I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[nmu98]

Get it to Michigan and I will buy it for a fair price.

 

[3Bladz]

I have hustlers with flex forks and suspesion seats. And I have a 7 foot woods like you, and if you are mowing reclaimed pasture, the 7 footer will cut open acreage in half the time and with a better ride too. My efi machines use 1.5 gal per hour or less and my 31 carbs use about twice that.
All are 60" super Zs. Now if you have stuff to mow around that is different.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

That is interesting, 3Bladz. Obviously, the 84" RFM provides a wider swath, but I figured you gained the time back in the maneuverability of the ZTR. I am also surprised to hear you say that the tractor/RFM combo would provide a smoother ride. On most of the acreage I mow, the ride is tolerable. However, some of the areas are really a rough ride although looking at them wouldn't give you that indication. Sometimes it hurts my insides it "bucks" so much. Slowing down to a crawl doesn't seem to change it much.

I appreciate your feedback since you have done both. I am just surprised that you don't gain back time with the ZTR when you factor in the maneuverability and speed. I have never tried the ZTR on this ground, so I don't have that perspective.

I used to mow it with John Deere lawn tractor, and I thought that was a pretty rough ride. I actually thought the tractor/RFM combo would be smoother because of the longer wheelbase. I was certainly wrong in that assumption.

Thanks again!

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Here are a few pictures that shows some of the ground I am mowing. In the first picture, notice the ground beyond the tree (between the neighbor's house and the tree). The ride is rough in this area.

 

[jt7157]

EastTnFarmboy

I have considered buying a finish mower for some time, but I'm concerned about scalping with such a wide swath. Would you mind getting back to me and letting me know how well your Woods PRD 8400 handles rough ground with regard to scalping? I would appreciate at it very much. There is a Woods dealer about 12 miles from me, so I've been looking at Woods stuff carefully, but I'm also considering a Landpride. Thanks.

Joe

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

In my opinion, you will be pleased with the quality of either brand you have mentioned.

With regard to scalping, the wider the mower, the greater the odds that you will encounter scalping unless your ground is perfectly level. I would definitely recommend that you spend a few extra dollars for the anti-scalping roller(s).

In my experience, the first few times I mowed, I scalped a few places. It hasn't been such a problem since then. You kind of learn which places will cause you a problem and then you just mow accordingly. My ground is gently rolling at most. There really aren't many inclines to speak of.

I have been pleased with the quality of the cut and don't view the scalping as an issue. Without the anti-scalping roller, it would be much worse. Your ground might present different results.