Rear Finish Mower WHICH REAR FINISH MOWER?

[OrangeGuy]

I have a Wabco/Douglas 90" rear discharge that has been an excellent performer. Cuts even (no scalping), evenly distributes the clippings, all grease zerks accessable without removing shields/covers, and no repair costs in three years. My 27 PTO HP tractor has no problem handling it. It even has a very good paint job on it. Looks like new after three years!

See attached pictures.

OrangeGuy

 

[HTWT]

I have a bush hog ath 600 that I bought in 1994. I use to mow my 1a. lawn and also have used it to mow paths in the woods. It is a very well built machine.

 

[JWaterstreet]

I've owned Woods mowers exclusively for years. I now have a beat up RD7200 and would recommend it in a heartbeat as it is built super tough and cuts beautifully. Rear discharge is definitely the way to go; I won't own a side discharge mower any more since I've gone to the rear discharge.

Jeff

 

[Travis_R]

No, I have not looked at Befco finish mowers...........I don't even know where the closest dealer is for me.........I don't know ANYone around here who even has a Befco product.

Gizmo36,

Yes, I DO own a 6' LMC finish mower.........I am gonna let it go with my Yanmar YM2000 that I am selling...........The mower cuts good, but its so old.......And besides, I am having a hard time selling JUST the tractor........People want attachments with machines they buy.............Almost a year ago, I had the bearings changed on every piece of the mower, including 1 new complete spindle shaft assembly........Its got new belts and new blades, along with 1 extra set of blades..........Like I said, the mower cuts good, but I wouldn't cut The White House yard with it.......It scalps just enough to notice, but its not all that bad...........The mower is still in good operating condition- not rusted through ANYwhere.

Would I buy a New LMC?...........No, probably not.......Especially for the price a local dealer (about 10 miles away) wants for it......I think he sells the 6' for somewhere between $1500-$1600..............I just think that is too much, compared to a better mower like the Land Pride, which I can get for around $1700 at my Mahindra dealer, which is about 80 miles away........................Besides, the LMC's gearbox has to be loosened and pulled back to adjust the tension on the belt........I DO NOT LIKE THAT..................And on mine, the grease fittings are on the side of the pulleys.......NOT on the top......Well, I think one is on the top, but the other 2 are on the side.......I DON'T LIKE THAT EITHER..................I think the gearbox and deck are both somewhat strong, I just KNOW that the ones that I am considering are better built machines.........And I don't mind spending extra money to get better quality.

With this said, I DO own a LMC boom pole that I purchase new.........I REALLY like it........It is heavy duty........But I gave $150 dollars for it also.............I would buy LMC disks and box blades, I just don't care for their cutters or finish mowers................There is ONE cutter that I would buy if I had to though........It is the 5' Andy 500.........That is a pretty good cutter for the price..........I think it is made descent too.

So all in all, LMC finish mowers are out of the question for me........I wouldn't purchase one.

WHAT ARE THE PRICES OF THE NEW 6' Bush Hog, Land Pride, Rhino, Woods, and now Befo mowers running now?

I am not a big Woods fan, but I do like their finish mowers- along with Bush Hog, Land Pride, and Rhino products.


Also, I am not gonna purchase one, because I have the 'better' choices, but I will admit that the 6' Farm Pro finish mower is a very good mower for the price ($850.00 new at my local dealer).......I know 2 people who has them and are well satisfied................I was told that the 4 and 5 ft models are pretty much junk though.......But I don't know from experience.


Thanks,
Travis R

 

[sandman2234]

Not being a finish mower type person, I was just wondering what is wrong with the size discharge mowers?Other than the grass clippings out the side, and having to keep from hitting the chute deflector, is there anything else wrong with them that they cured when they started building rear discharge mowers?
David from jax

 

[Neophyte]

When I was looking at new LandPride mowers I think the FDR2572 was around $2300-$2500 and the FDR1672 was around $1700-$1900.

 

[Paul2000]

I purchased a Woods RD72 this year. I also needed to be able to trailer it. I was looking at the 7ft heavy duty but when I measured it the tractor would not fit on my 20 ft trailer with the ramps up. I elected to go with the woods RD 72 heritage model. I figured if I wasn’t happy with the size I could sell it and upgrade. I am happy with the mower and since the wheels are on the inside I can shut the ramps on my trailer. It was around $1750 and has performed fine so far. The grease zerks are accessible from the outside and it uses pin type wheel mounting system where you just pull the pin out and move metal collars to the upper or lower part of the shaft to adjust deck height. I change deck height in about 2 minutes. I have only had it one summer but I feel I am satisfied with it.

Here is a photo on their web site.

RDC54, RD60 & RD72 Rear Discharge Finish Mowers by Woods Equipment Company

 

[Tractors4u]

......what is wrong with the size discharge mowers?Other than the grass clippings out the side, and having to keep from hitting the chute deflector, is there anything else wrong with them .... David from jax

There really isn't any difference other than the location of the discharge. By discharging out the rear you can mow in any direction without having to worry about blowing clippings on the row of clippings you just made. By the way, another outstanding brand of finish mower is the Sitrex.

 

[JWaterstreet]

I disagree; there is a world of difference in performance between a side discharge and rear. The side discharge mowers will only handle light cuts; heavy cuts will clog things up and make nasty windrows. The rear discharge mowers are like a cross between a brush hog and a finish mower, as they will handle heavy grass much like a brush hog, and distribute the clippings on fine finish cuts much more evenly.

However, I wouldn't try to do thick brush or super rocky or stumpy areas with the rear discharge finish mower.

 

[Travis_R]

Well, I've narrowed it down to 3 choices now...........Either the Land Pride FDR1672 (which is what I'm considering the most), the Bush Hog model RDTH-72, or the RD72 Heritage model made by Woods (which is what I like 2nd best).


I haven't got a price on the Woods model yet, but the Land Pride quote I got was $1800.00 plus tax......That dealer is where I got my tractor from- 80 miles away.................I'll make a final decision soon........I want to get the one with the best/closest parts support and so far it looks like the Land Pride is it............But a buddy of mine has the Land Pride model i'm looking at...........I might decide to just go with the Woods to be different!

So far, all the dealers that i've called who carry the Bush Hog line, has to order them because they don't stock em'............To me, that don't look too good as far as Best parts support.

The Rhino model I WAS looking at had the gearbox that had to be loosened up to adjust the belt..........Like I said in my earlier posts, I DO NOT like that..........So the Rhino is now out of the picture.

I think the Sitrex is a good finish mower, from what I have heard- not experienced though...........Its out of the picture because the other brands i'm looking at are just a little better built in my opinion.......But I would spend my money on a Sitrex mower if I didn't have the "name brand" choices..........Heck, I would buy a Sitrex over a LMC, King Kutter, First Choice, Howse, (etc.)...........


I appreciate all the replies fellers.

Travis