10yr old woods or new International brush hog

[Moon]

I'm looking for a brush hog and was planning to get a cheaper new one, 5' International w/ slip clutch for 550 dollars. Then last night a friend showed me his 5' woods M150 (1992 model) that he is wanting to sell. He wanted to ck around before setting a firm price, but thought it would be in the area of 400 dollars. He does have the owners manual for the woods - thats how i found out it was a 1992 model and the brush hog does not look like its been used much. It is too big for the tractor and to hard to change out the mmm so its sat in the barn more than anything. The weight of this one was listed at 475lbs. The new Woods 5' BB units weighed about double that if i remember what the salesman told me right. Paint on the this one isn't bad, but it is really dented in on both sides. don't know what would cause that. My friend is the second owner of this. It came with the tractor which only has 18hp @ pto.

So, what would you all do? Go cheap new or top quality but 10 years old? What would be top dollar for a unit this old?
Any input on International Brush hogs also welcome. Folks here rate it just a notch above KK but it has a slip clutch where the KK doesn't.

Thanks,
Moon

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...5' International w/ slip clutch for 550 dollars...5' woods M150 (1992 model)...in the area of 400 dollars...</font color=blue>

I wasn't that impressed with the older Woods rotary cutters, mostly 3/8" X 3" blades and weaker gearboxes with smaller output shafts... the new Woods are light-years ahead...

Depending on which International unit it is, look underneath to see if it has a thick say 1/2" stump jumper... if so I'd pick this International over the older Woods for the difference of even $250...

For $550... you've got something brand spanky new... you're the first owner, no abuse history, full warranty, convenience of a slip-clutch... and today's gearboxes are better built (even same hp ratings) then yesterday's units... (& the slip-clutch may have a retail value of ~~$100. alone)

 

[RoyJackson]

Well, I'd go for the used cutter myself. That's 150 bucks (plus taxes) that you'll be able to spend on something else.

 

[JerryG]

About three years ago, I bought a used Woods M-5 which is also a 5 foot. The M-5 is older than the one you are looking at. I have had good luck with it. It was one of the best buys that I have made at $350.

 

[cmsedore]

While I wouldn't argue with John's wisdom, I would offer that I have an older Woods MX5 Dixie Cutter (1980s model). That poor cutter has been beaten to death--I've mowed trees (up to 4"+), rocks (some big ones /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif), and clipped off many high spots (ie leveled off the field).

I've broken one blade pin (the blade was never found), had to weld the frame in one spot, the cast gearbox casing is wearing through (the toplink connection rubs it now), and the gearbox won't hold oil anymore, but it still cuts like a champ.

It doesn't have a stump jumper, and is not as rugged as some of the newer ones (one side looks like someone beat it with a sledge hammer). Just offering that if it comes in at the right pice, it probably wouldn't be a terrible investment.

Just do be aware that these things can fling a 15-20lb rock 10-15 yards without too much trouble. Smaller ones can go much, much further.

-Chris

 

[Moon]

Thanks for the repies guys!
I had seen stump jumpers mentioned here before, and thought it was just another term for brush hog. How can i tell if a brush hog has the stump jumper? Is it just a heavier duty blade er what. Anyone have a pic of a stump jumper?
Heck i just recently learned right here, that a rotary cutter is probably a more correct term for what everyone around here calls a brush hog. In this area a coke is any brand cola, and a brush hog is any brand of rotary cutter ...and a kleenex is any brand of tissue. I gotta wonder if i went in some of the shops around here and asked for a rotary cutter if they'd know right off what i meant. I might just have to try it. : )

Thanks guys!
Moon

 

[JohnMiller3]

Here's a pix of an "upside down" JD MX series rotary cutter...

The blade holder "pan" the blades are bolted to is also called the "stump jumper"... most are 3/16" thick... thicker is better but also heavier...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-173951-JDRotarycutterupsidedown-800crop.jpg>John Deere MX Stump jumper...</A>

 

[JohnMiller3]

Here's another example of a Severe duty "stump jumper" (correct term is called Blade Holder on these monsters...)... on a Rhino Treecutter rotary cutter, from the rear of the unit, notice the blade bolted to this 1 1/4" thick steel disc... this is "1" of four blades mounted on this animal...

By the way... this stump jumper alone weighs over 625 lbs... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-173966-RhinoStumpJumper-800crop.jpg>Rhino Treecutter Stump jumper...</A>

 

[tdenny]

Moon,

<font color=blue>"Paint on the this one isn't bad, but it is really dented in on both sides. don't know what would cause that."</font color=blue>

these things can get pretty dinged up depending on the amount of rocks that you make into projectiles. Mine has many dents and dings and still seems to function well. I would agree with JMIII - if it only costs you about $150.00 dollars more for a new one - go with the new. At least you'll get to be the one who puts all the dents in it this time.

I think you really want to be sure that you do have a stump jumper on it. I believe that this provides much protection to those parts above it. I can't seem to get mine off so this is just a guess.

 

[Moon]

WOW!! Heavy duty stuff that Rhino's made of! Thanks for the Pics John!!! Now i know what a stump jumper is. Do all new rotary cutters come with the stump jumper difference being the thickness of the material used? ....And if there is an option of regular shaft or stump jumper what would be the advantage of a shaft driven blade without the stump jumper. Hope you know what i mean ...i'm not sure of the correct terms here. : )

Thanks everyone for the input as to old vs new. I'm leaning to new unless the price is a whole lot less than 400 for the used one. But before i make up my mind i will have to take a close look underneath all the ones i'm considering.

Moon