woods land pride rotary cutter worth it?

[jdonovan]

Looking for a 4' rotary cutter for driveway edge cutting, and some light brush mowing.... things I don't want to feed to the mid-mount finisher.

Mowing chores are going to be:
About 4000' road with edges to trim on both sides
2-3 acre future house site, once I get it cleared of large trees

The machine is my BX-22, 17pto HP

Talked to my local dealers and they are wanting $1250-$1500 for a 4' Cutter. The land pride at the low end and woods at the high end of the pricing.

TSC has their house brand county line for $800.

I know the woods and land pride are better implements, but I'm having trouble swallowing 50%-100% more.

I've got a bigger (60hp) machine for the real rough clearing/grading, so the BX isn't being asked to reclaim huge overgrown areas.

So what do all of you who have either have to say about quality/durability in my proposed application?

 

[2006RonB]

Sounds like the less expensive (County line?) would do the job that you have in mind. Family Farm and Home still carry the KingKutter line. I had a 5' rotary and it worked well and was a good value. No problems with it. Similar use as you have planned. Let it go with the Ford 2000 when I sold it. I am now looking at another KingKutter rotary mower to replace it. I like the the other brands, but for my use the KingKutter is adequate.

 

[Danner]

Today, I'd go with LandPride, and be done with it.

But, from 2004 until last week, I ran a 48" Howse rotary mower on a 20HP Yanmar and it served me very well, thank you.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd go with the Land Pride,if you want an implement to be a one time purchase...last you as long as you want it to.

 

[redharley]

If you keep your stuff a long time Landpride would be a good investment for sure,I have a 48" landpride behind my BX2230 it does so much and ask for nothing in return.I purchased it used when I bought my tractor new.I even let it sit out most of the time still looks good.

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I bought my Land Pride 48" rotary cutter used, for about a third of that. Two years later, absolutely no complaints. I'm thinking I got a great deal.

 

[Carykong]

I have used a 5'Howse for about 10 years. The Howse is basic and cheap but sturdy. I have hit countless stumps and hogged thousands of small trees and brush. Has been to the weld shop only once. I have discovered over time that if you keep the deck high your brush mower will last and last.

 

[TripleR]

I have used everything from low to high price equipment. I now only buy Land Pride or Woods. I have a 48" and 72" Land Pride and we have two 10' Woods cutters.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

A couple of days ago I started my hunt for a 4' Rotary mower. Checked Craigs list and found a few used for $350 to $500. Those that had pictures showed really rugged looking mowers or mowers with NEW PAINT over a rugged looking mower. I priced new at Barlows and the new Taylor-Way was $799.
A few years ago I bought a cheap 6' RFM and it kept breaking but I used it alot on rough ground. I got all my money back on the cheapo from Barlows toward a Landpride 6' RFM that was like a tank. There was about $500 difference. I know the difference and value of cheap vs better now.
Back to the Rotary cutter. I only need the rotary cutter for a small area that may be cut once or twice a year and it will just be grass after the first cut of small growth under 5 years old. Also one hillside bank that will be mowed a few times a years of just regrowing weeds.
I went back to Barlows and found two 4' Rotary mowers in the weeds that are brands that Barlows no longer stocks. KK and Tarter, both acceptable quality but not Landpride quality. They look like (peeling paint and some rust) they have been outside for a couple of years (they have) and some parts missing on the tops, thieves have visited. Steve Barlow said he'd replace the wheels that was missing from one (Tarter) and the upper brackets missing from the other one (KK). I bought the Tarter one missing the wheels and the other one is stil there. Got a hugh discount over the $799 price. You may want to contact Barlows or search your local dealers for the same deal.
No, I don't think they are Landpride quality but for $500 to $800 less than the Landpride I choose the Tarter for the work I'll do with it. If I planned on using one for heavy duty work on a onging regular use I'd go with the Landpride, but I don't.