Which RFM to buy?

honeycutt · Jul 25, 2005

Which RFM to replace rusted through old one. As of now I'm still searching. Quotes that I've gotten: Landpride, King Kutter, Frist Choice, Howse: 48" $1195 - $1495
60" $1295 - $1595
These all are local prices. As you can see they all have comparable prices. The main question I have is which one will give me more bang for the $$$. (quality, durability, results, maintainability)

Bob_Skurka · Jul 25, 2005

I'm not impressed with Howse equipment, had a cutter and pretty much considered it junk. I've used other Howse equipment and own some, none of it impresses me. Befco mowers seem to be the best quality, but are expensive. Their upper grade mowers have features I have not seen on other brands as you don't list them I suspect your dealers don't sell them, people who own them swear by them, I had one and traded it in on a MMM unit but I was very impressed by its quality and heft, at more than 15 years old, the old Befco sold for almost what a discount mower sells for new. First Choice seems to be popular on TBN, I've never used any of their equipment. Landpride has a good reputation, I have one of their tillers, I think the finish is of poor quality but I can't complain about the reliability of the mechanisms. No clue about King Kutter.

Bird · Jul 25, 2005

I had a Howse 60" rotary cutter (not a finish mower) and a Howse box blade. I was satisfied with both and think that while they're not "top of the line", they were good for the price I paid. However, my 60" finish mower was a Bush Hog that cost me $1,695 in '99. I'd pay $100 more for a Bush Hog than I would for the Howse, but since I've not used a Howse finish mower, I can't definitively say the Bush Hog is actually better.

frank_f15 · Jul 25, 2005

( Befco mowers seem to be the best quality, but are expensive. )
In MHO Bob hit it straight on. i now have a Befco RFM and compared to the KK i had it beats it hands down,both for the way it is built and the ease of maintance.

sweettractors · Jul 25, 2005

We have the First Choice 60 inch (rear discharge) for $1295 + shipping--Ken Sweet
Email sweet@scrtc.com
Phone 270-528-3323-Mon-FRi- & Sat-8-12 CST

Buck · Jul 25, 2005

I bought a 72" First Choice from Sweet. So far, I am very happy and have had a lot of complements from CUT type neighbors. First choice is very high quality fit and finish compared to Howse and KK. (I own both – like both- but for a finish mower I wanted something better.)

If you do buy a First Choice - replace the little hitch pins that hold the four vertically oriented axels that allow the wheels to rotate with big clips. Mine came off several times on rougher terrain and I lost some sleeve bearings, before I learned this trick.

Best of luck!

schole · Jul 25, 2005

I've been very impressed with the new Kubota 72" RFM I purchased for 1700$ Canadian. The 7 gauge steel decking is indestructable!

Shawn

RoyJackson · Jul 25, 2005

With the small Kubota, I think you'll have to stay with a 48" mower. I don't think a MMM will adapt to your machine.

I have a Befco 60" unit that I'm very happy with. I recommend Befco with no reservations...but it's going to cost you quite a bit more then a King Kutter or Howse.

nomad · Jul 25, 2005

( We have the First Choice 60 inch (rear discharge) for $1295 )

Is this made in Turkey?

gmsssi · Jul 25, 2005

I have a 72" rear discharge Caroni that I like a lot. $1295 new and easily maintained.

sweettractors · Jul 25, 2005

Is this made in Turkey? 

If it was made in Turkey, I would not sell the product--Ken Sweet

honeycutt · Jul 26, 2005

I want to thank everyone for taking time out (seat time) to help. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Also TBN is a great place. It has helped me alot and I do tell people about this site.
P.S. If all goes well and I purchase the adjoining 25 acres I'll be looking to UPGRADE /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Happy Tractoring To All

nomad · Jul 30, 2005

( Is this made in Turkey? 

If it was made in Turkey, I would not sell the product--Ken Sweet )

Do you sell the products from China?

Dargo · Jul 30, 2005

I have a Land Pride RFM. It has seen 12 years of 25 to 30 times a year of 12 acre mowing, and about 4 additional years of 5 acre mowing. That is in addition to dozens of side jobs I've done with it over the years. So, with that much use, I can't say that I'm less than satisfied with total parts at (1) belt, and (2) sets of blades. That's it. Period. The wheel bearings, swivels, deck bearings are all perfectly tight. I've never seen a Befco, so I have no idea how well they are built, but I can't imagine one having less problems than I've had with the ole Land Pride. Of course, that one belt did cost me nearly $30 bucks though that broke after only 12 years. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

billbill1 · Jul 30, 2005

I bought a 72" J-Bar finish mower new with my tractor. I would not recommend it to any one I considered a friend. I've had nothing but problems with it in just this mowing season (which is its first). 2 Belts so far and an idler pulley went out and one of the blades flew off (never found) in about 5 uses on 5 acres or less. I was told that this mower is a King Kutter equal but haven't compared them.

_RaT_ · Jul 30, 2005

Dargo, I have a Landpride as well and contrary to what some have said about finish mowers main drawback is a belt system, I like it. I am still on my first belt after 5 years and lots of mowing. It still looks like new. I got a second backup belt as a freebie from Carver tractor. The deck is built very sturdily and the price was reasonable. My only problem has been flats on the pneumatic tires. I am also on my second set of blades.

Tomahog · Jul 31, 2005

I have had a 72" First Choice for 2 mowing seasons & have been very pleased with the quality. I have not had a single problem & think is is a very good bang for the buck.

sweettractors · Aug 1, 2005

Do you sell the products from China? 

No we dont. At this time, we would not even consider China as a country that could manufacture viable ag products for the USA market and our customers--Ken Sweet

HayDR · Aug 1, 2005

What about these 6' finish mowers, $699, pictured from Korea? Isn't Kioti made in Korea? They have the same features as First Choice plus chains.

Ken what about the products you currently listed on your website from Big Bee, IM, WAC, Danuser, Greenline, Worksaver, & Fred Cain? All of their gearboxes come from China. When you talk about a post hole digger 80% of the implement comes from China. Most of the engineering and work of a brush hog is in the gearbox. Don't fool yourself you are selling implements that depend on Chinese manufactured products.

sweettractors · Aug 1, 2005

Ken what about the products you sell from Big Bee, IM, WAC, Danuser, Greenline, Worksaver, & Fred Cain? 

We have already culled most of these vendors from our vendor list (as a option,a few of these vendors have Italian or higher grade gearboxes at a little highr price and we now choose those products)--Ken Sweet