Woods RM59 belt drive rear mower

familyman · May 25, 2005

My local dealer has a used Woods RM59 3pt. mower. 59" cut, side discharge, with a vertical belt drive instead of a gearbox. He says that rear mowers used to be made that way and there is no performance difference compared to a gear driven unit, and that Woods still builds them. Aside from faded paint and light surface rust, it doesn't look like it had too hard a life (no, I didn't check the year). The dealer wants $600.00. Does that sound resonable? Do these vertical belt drive units have any vices I should be aware of?
Thanks gang!
Charley /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dale Binkley · May 25, 2005

I used to have a Woods 72" rear belt drive deck under a Yanmar 240. It was built like a tank and it cut well. In 17 years I only had to replace one bearing spindle - they don't hold up when cutting an almost ground level tree stump. The only downside to the deck I had was that I had to drive the tractor over it to put it on and take it off. It was a 2 person job. As long the the deck you are looking at is in good mechanical shape, I guess the price is not too far out of line. Does it have all of the brackets and other pieces to make a seamless fit onto your current tractor?

sweettractors · May 25, 2005

That is in the price range. We are not aware of any inherient problems. Gearbox probably better in tougher mowing applications. We have 2 used RM59's and they run $595 and $695--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 4-5-6-7 ft First Choice Finish Mowers in Stock Today*

djradz · May 25, 2005

That sounds about right. These old belt drive units were generally built very well. If possible, pull the belt off and spin each spindle to be sure the bearings are still in good shape and also not too loose. They can be rebuilt, but it will probably cost about $30 each.

familyman · May 25, 2005

Dale, thanks for your reply. Always good to hear from a fellow Pennsyl-tuckian!
If I understand you correctly, you're referring to a mid-mount mower. The unit I'm looking at hooks up to the three pt. and runs off the PTO, behind the tractor. Yes, this one looks well built, too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

timb · May 25, 2005

My F-I-L has a 72" Woods belt drive rear mower we run with the Ford NAA on the 'extended yard' areas. Leaves a very nice cut, and the basic deck seems robust. But we have had to replace the belt a few times (not cheap) and the caster wheels (mounts) seem prone to damage.

djradz · May 26, 2005

I have a Woods RM306, that is almost 30 years old, and just last year I replaced the belt for the first time. You may want to look at what could be wearing the belt so fast. Obviously, if you're cutting more than the few hours per week that I do, that could be a big factor.

On your rear caster wheels. I went to Woods and got a heavier duty spindle and yoke and corresponding 1" tube that I welded on at the end of the arms. Also, I replaced the solid tires with air-filled, just to get a little better traction and softer ride.

familyman · May 31, 2005

I noticed that this unit only has two rear wheels, instead of one at each corner like other finish mowers. Does anyone know if this makes for a difference in finish cut (compared to four-wheeled variety)?

Partsman2 · May 31, 2005

I have an RM306 that I bought used almost 20 years ago. It still works perfectly although I don't use it much now.

The downside of the belt is keeping it adjusted (only about once a season though) and that it takes more hp to turn the mower. I think mine is rated at a 28 PTO hp minimum. I don't know what you're planning on running it with but you need to make sure your tractor will handle it.

The RM306 was designed with 2 wheels in the back and you can optionally use a chain that hooks to the tractor in the front to get a full float effect. You basically set the height of the front with the chain and set the gauge wheels in the back and drop your hydraulics all the way down and just let the mower float. I've never used this. I control the front height with the 3ph.

These are very HD mowers and offer a very nice cut. I highly recommend them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

hobbyfarm · May 31, 2005

familyman,
Many moons ago, I used to have a <font color="blue">Yamaha TerraPro</font> and I had the Woods 48" finish mower with the belt drive. It worked really well. Very smooth and quiet with almost no maintenance. In the four years I owned it, I never had any problems with it.