Rotary Cutter fair price used howse 48" rotary cutter

[ampsucker]

have a chance to buy a used 4' rotary cutter made by howse. it would fit my bx24 pretty well.

it has a small oil leak in the gear box.

it is the economy version (400c as opposed to the m48c) but still weighs in at 518 lbs and has a 40 hp gear box.

it does not come with the chain guard across the front.

it has a shear pin pto drive shaft.

it has a single rear solid drag wheel that is adjustable.

it looks pretty clean, one owner. claims only used to cut grass, not much brush. couldn't get a look at the blade from pics, but would help him turn it over and check out the situation if i decide to pursue it in person.

thanks for any input!

amp

 

[kebo]

If it looks pretty good with not too much original paint gone, and the sheet metal is straight, and it has minimal rust, I would say probably in the $400 range. If the leak is a constant drip, then maybe a bit less like $375 or so. It'll probably cost you about $20 or so if you fix it yourself and IF the leak is only a bad seal. If you're not inclined to fix it yourself or pay a mechanic to do it, then you might want to pass on it since leaks almost never fix themselves.

 

[Soundguy]

half new or less... especially if it has a leak...

soundguy

 

[ampsucker]

i offered 375. he is firm at 475.

no sale.

thanks for the feedback!

amp

 

[jinman]

i offered 375. he is firm at 475.

no sale.

thanks for the feedback!

amp

You did good and he did bad. I would not have considered more than $300 myself since I've had a 5' Howse that I wore out. They just are not made with enough welds and strength of structure to hold up to much more than grass/weeds/light brush. I found myself drilling holes and bolting mine together. I've had no such problems with KK. I don't mean to be bashing Howse. I think they are great value for the dollar spent, but like Soundguy, I think 1/2 original price is a fair offer. $300 would have been tops for me. At $475, he can watch it rust in old age. I'd buy a new one and pay a little more before I'd lay out that kind of cash for a used cutter with a leak.

 

[ampsucker]

thanks, jinman!

my only experience with howse is their tiller that i have. it actually seems very overbuilt. the thing weighs close to 800 lbs and everything about it seems very heavy duty. of course, it's built for a much larger tractor than mine.

i did order seals and a new friction plate kit for the slip clutch from howse. had some trouble getting the parts, had to pay by check for some reason, mailed the check, they changed their mind on the amount, and wanted me to wait while i mailed a new check. i told them to sell it to me for the original amount they quoted or mail my first check back and i would get the parts from someone else. the parts arrived several days later.

i can't remember why they wanted me to pay by check - i think their credit card machine was down or something. anyway, their new improved website pretty much sucks, too. but, so far, the tiller has been good to me.

amp

 

[Soundguy]

howse, like KK makes a couple different lines of cutters. their HD line, is, HD..I have a 10' hd cutter.. it's a beefy monster.. some of their others are not as good.. soundguy

 

[travis78]

A place near me has them new for $595.
Southern Farm Supply, Inc.

 

[JayCat]

I bought a used 5' Howse for $350...no leaks. Owner was moving. It has been good for me but it is a big lightweight. I rented a monster from the local rental place to clear out the "heavy" stuff & to take the beating before I put my lighter one to work.