Rear Finish Mower Woods RM990

[MikeF]

Well, I am looking for some advise/opinions on the Woods RM990. (i posted under another thread but am looking for some more info)I have found a nice well cared for unit for what I think is a fair price $1600. My concern is using this for clean grass pasture 12" tall and cutting to 5" behind my 4720 JD will I be happy with the cut, will I be able to go at a reasonable speed ? I am also looking at some 90" flail mowers but have zero expierence with these and they are expensive and look like they require a good bit of upkeep with all those blades but then I have never used one. Also with the flail will I be able to moove at a good ground speed ?

Thanks In advance.

Michael

 

[RickB]

12" is a little tall for a finish mower, but it will cut it. An RM990 is probably the best built 90" finish mower you can buy and $1600 for a nice used one is a good deal. The free-swinging blades are a feature not found on many finish mowers, and are great for paddocks and other semi-rough areas. I have one that was basically scrapped before I stumbled onto it about 7 years ago. I put a belt on it and keep the blades maintained, grease in the spindles and oil in the gearbox and it serves me very well. I run mine with a Case 885 at about 42 PTO HP and it is a good match.

 

[djradz]

I have a Woods RM306 (6 foot) finish that often get's used to cut 12" pasture down to something in the range you are talking. I think if you are cutting only down to 5" you will be fine. More than that and you'll start to develop a lot of clumps under the deck that might not spit out that well. The job might still go OK, or you might find the tractor can't keep up. In addition, that nice feature the 990 has (folding blades) might start to cause some problems with folding in if RPMs drop or too much accumulates underneath.

If I found such a deal, I'd jump at it! I think any problems you might run into can be easily dealt with by cutting a little higher or slowing your travel down just a tad. That said, I don't think you'll have to do anything different other that being impressed how well it will work.