What finish mower should I purchase?

[03kubota]

I'm relativly new to the mower market. I own 10.5 acres and intend to mow approx. 8 acres. I have an 03 kubota L3130 with 25hp pto. I have current prices from local dealers of $1550 FARM KING Y650R, $1450 2YR NEW RHINO FM72, $1500 RHINO BR72 OR MASCHIO J180 MY CHOICE, $1800 WOODS, $1700 LANDPRIDE, $1195 LMC, $1850 BUSH HOG, $1250 KING KUTTER.
All mowers seem close in comparsion, but I want one that will last for years to come with consideration given to replacement parts and general maintenance. Any help that any one may offer from their experience would be appreciated. Please take in consideration longevity and maintenance over price.

 

[vallyfarm]

You should get the one with the best dealer support. All of them will break. If you can't get a replacement spindle for it, then you probably got the wrong one. Woods has been around forever, and parts are available for almost anything they ever made. The others may bethe same, I just don't know. The thickness of the deck is also a pretty good indicator of quality through the whole machine. Hope this helps. Mike

 

[Turbys_1700]

I'm relativly new to the mower market. I own 10.5 acres and intend to mow approx. 8 acres. I have an 03 kubota L3130 with 25hp pto. I have current prices from local dealers of $1550 FARM KING Y650R, $1450 2YR NEW RHINO FM72, $1500 RHINO BR72 OR MASCHIO J180 MY CHOICE, $1800 WOODS, $1700 LANDPRIDE, $1195 LMC, $1850 BUSH HOG, $1250 KING KUTTER.
All mowers seem close in comparsion, but I want one that will last for years to come with consideration given to replacement parts and general maintenance. Any help that any one may offer from their experience would be appreciated. Please take in consideration longevity and maintenance over price.

I just ordered a PRD 7200 Woods for $1900. I could have purchased a Heritage model for $1600 but thought that $300 more for the PRD was worth it. My old 5' Landpride is still going strong after 14 years but I wanted to upgrade. That old unit has never even had a bearing replaced. Unreal.

You typically get what you pay for in finish and rough cut mowers. I think that all of the ones you mentioned are fine. Just make sure to compare equivalent models. In my case the Heritage model Woods was only $50 more than an equivalent First Choice. The Woods is heavier built and has a higher throat clearance than the First Choice and weighs over 100# more. To me $50 difference was worth it. But I upgraded to the PRD. It weighs over 700#.

 

[mjarrels]

Not sure what you are wanting to mow but I like flail mowers.

mark

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon 03Kubota,
For awhile I was looking at Caroni 6ft raer finish mowers,
but have recsently turned my attention towards a Toro Zero Turn Mower. I just wasnt in love with the idea of taking the bush hog off everytime I had to mow the lawn

Anyway, the Caroni line has a good name and you might want to take a look. The mower was listed at $1229 and that includes the PTO shaft.

http://www.agri-supply.com/techpages/caroni/caroni-images/rearmower.jpg

 

[03kubota]

Will be mowing old pasture land

 

[03kubota]

Zero turn is a little out of my range. I already own the tractor. I have been unable to find a local dealer for the caroni brand you recommended Scott.

 

[scott_vt]

Zero turn is a little out of my range. I already own the tractor. I have been unable to find a local dealer for the caroni brand you recommended Scott.

Afternoon 03Kubota,
Call 1-800-345-0169 AgriSupply and put your name on the catologue list. Shipping on that mower was only $160 to Vt, to your door !

 

[BBB]

I have a Woods and a Bush Hog brand finish mower, both do an excellent job. I started using the bush hog brand when my yard was only pasture. Now it is lawn,and I still use the same mower. The Woods is built a little heavier, but I can,t tell the difference in the cut. BTW both units are about 4 yrs old.

 

[JLoaf]

I have a Woods RD7200. It was 2 or 3 years old when I bought it. I've had to replace the belt once. It is well built.
I had a Land Pride 5' FM that came with a used tractor I bought. I bought it in November and sold it in December. I didn't mow much with it, but I saw some feature that I really prefered over the Woods.
Changing cut height on the Land Pride is MUCH easier - no tools req'd. Getting to the spindles was much easier on the Land Pride - no tools req'd.
The Land Pride was built very heavy duty.
If I were to buy a new finish mower today, I'd certainly consider the Land Pride.

 

[CDsdad]

I bought a Landpride in February. I've cut with it twice for a total of about 6 acres. I'm very happy with it. Of those you listed Bushhog and LP were the only 2 I considered, so I don't know much but hearsay about the others. I would've gotten a Bushhog if LP had been the same price. I think both are good units.

 

[Nuru]

You should get the one with the best dealer support. All of them will break. If you can't get a replacement spindle for it, then you probably got the wrong one. Woods has been around forever, and parts are available for almost anything they ever made. The others may bethe same, I just don't know. The thickness of the deck is also a pretty good indicator of quality through the whole machine. Hope this helps. Mike

Yes i would also agree with vallyfarm. you have a lot of acres to mow and you probably don't want to wait too long between mowings and let the "Growth" overtake you.

 

[billbill1]

I priced the 6' rear discharge Land Pride yesterday in Topeka, Ks. $2800 plus taxes. Well built but pretty spendy in my opinion. There was a used one for $650 in the classifieds Friday but I was too late.

 

[CDsdad]

Is your Kansas LandPride a 1672 or 2572? 16xx is LandPrides economy line, 25xx is heavy duty, which would be more. If it's a 1672, that's over a 1000 more than I paid.

 

[RoyJackson]

There were some great responses here!
I'm also a Land Pride fan, but sure couldn't swing $2800 for a 72" unit. I've never priced a 72" mower, but expected a price between $1800-$2200. $2800!!! Wow!

I have a 60" Befco RFM (rear discharge) that was part of a package deal with my first tractor.
This unit has had no problems other then normal blade sharpening, one belt replacement (not a bad job) and I had to replace one of the pins that hold a spindle in place (top of the spindle...prevents the spindle from falling out during transport and is just a smaller lynch pin available at any tractor supply house).
So, Befco is another mower to price. I'd wager they're in the same range as the Land Prides.

 

[billbill1]

The Land Pride was the 1672, I was amazed at the price. They are the only dealer in the area, so if you want one, that's where you have to get it. I know the KK isn't anywhere the same quality but they are on sale (till April 1 at TSC) for $1300.

 

[greg_g]

Zero turn is a little out of my range. I already own the tractor. I have been unable to find a local dealer for the caroni brand you recommended Scott.

It would help a lot if we knew where you live. Caroni doesn't have any US dealerships that I know of, they're pretty much a manufacturer/distributor. You'll find their products at farm stores primarily, Rural King sold them for a while. At any rate, Caroni distribution is such that availability varies with region - which is why your location would help us help you. Caronis are Italian, if you didn't know.

My personal choice on a value for dollar is First Choice. I've got the GM35-84, which is admittedly too big for your tractor. But once I beat the worst nature had to offer off some neglected pasture that I'd purchased (with an IM-602 rotary cutter), I now can keep it under control with the finish mower.

I can personally attest to a need for weight. Weight, weight, and more weight. When grooming pasture at speed, there's nothing more frustrating than a light little finish mower that goes airborne every time it encounters a bump. Face it - if there were no bumps, it would likely be used for something other than pasture. My First Choice choice comes in at an impressive 816 pounds dryweight, and believe me - it doesn't bounce. Didn't actually weigh one, but I'm betting each blade is at least 5-6 pounds by itself. Only thing that slows me down is the turns. I can't speak for the 5 footers or 6 footers, but if they're built anything like my 7 footer - they're definitely value for the dollar.

//greg//

 

[03kubota]

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL THE INFO. I went with the Land PRide 1672 PATRIOT. I picked it up for $1600. I also got extra lucky and the dealer I purchased it from matched another dealer and I was able to get it in KUBOTA orange the other dealer wanted an additional $75 for this feature. The mower is plenty heavy enough and did a fantastic job. I chose Land PRide because of the number of local dealers I have avilable for support.

 

[DK35vince]

My personal choice on a value for dollar is First Choice. I've got the GM35-84. I can't speak for the 5 footers or 6 footers, but if they're built anything like my 7 footer - they're definitely value for the dollar.

I have the same mower ( 7' First Choice).
Very solid, well built mower for the $$.

 

[Nuru]

There were some great responses here!
I'm also a Land Pride fan, but sure couldn't swing $2800 for a 72" unit. I've never priced a 72" mower, but expected a price between $1800-$2200. $2800!!! Wow!

I have a 60" Befco RFM (rear discharge) that was part of a package deal with my first tractor.
This unit has had no problems other then normal blade sharpening, one belt replacement (not a bad job) and I had to replace one of the pins that hold a spindle in place (top of the spindle...prevents the spindle from falling out during transport and is just a smaller lynch pin available at any tractor supply house).
So, Befco is another mower to price. I'd wager they're in the same range as the Land Prides.

Agree, i have been getting some good info on this train!