IM600 rotary cutter, any good?

[curdy]

I am in need of a used rotary cutter at a decent price. It will be used a good bit up front as we clear the perimeter for our fence. We'll use it ongoing some then to cut near fence lines and some grass trails through the farm. There's a 72" International IM600 (not IH brand) for sale locally for $600. I called a dealer and they said they sell them new for $950. My rule of thumb on used equipment is 1/2 price and go down from there. While this doesn't always apply to everything, its served me pretty well for most tools I have.

Is this a decent piece of equipment for my needs? It is listed as their standard duty mower with a 40hp gear box. I will be running it with a JD 2040. $500 is what I think I'd be willing to spend if the going opinion here is that its a decent mower.

Attached is a picture of it.

 

[sweettractors]

I am in need of a used rotary cutter at a decent price. It will be used a good bit up front as we clear the perimeter for our fence. We'll use it ongoing some then to cut near fence lines and some grass trails through the farm. There's a 72" International IM600 (not IH brand) for sale locally for $600. I called a dealer and they said they sell them new for $950. My rule of thumb on used equipment is 1/2 price and go down from there. While this doesn't always apply to everything, its served me pretty well for most tools I have.

Is this a decent piece of equipment for my needs? It is listed as their standard duty mower with a 40hp gear box. I will be running it with a JD 2040. $500 is what I think I'd be willing to spend if the going opinion here is that its a decent mower.

Attached is a picture of it.

They are now sold under the Hawkline by Behlen brand. We have sold them for 20 + years and they are very dependable. Parts availability is no problem. I like the $500 price also. Ken Sweet

 

[curdy]

Thanks Ken, that's exactly what I was looking for. I think $500 is fair too if its as lightly used as he says.

 

[greg_g]

I had the IM-602, which is the same mower with a slip clutch (which I strongly recommend). If memory serves, I got $600 for it, so $500 with no slip clutch seems fair.

//greg//

 

[curdy]

Regarding the slip clutch, can you help me understand better what are the advantages to put one on? I'm new to tractors, so I really don't know much. What would one cost and where would I get it?

Would it be fair to say that something at 'standard' duty with a shear pin is designed to mow an over grown grass pasture, and something with a slip clutch is better suited for the rougher clearing with woody weeds and small saplings? Or is it more a matter of both are designed as the safety against gearbox damage and the slip clutch is just better. If 'better', how?

Point in all of this is, I need to know if its the right mower for my needs. Even if $500 is a fair price, if its not the right mower, its not a good deal for me.

Thanks!

 

[bullbreaker]

They are now sold under the Hawkline by Behlen brand. We have sold them for 20 + years and they are very dependable. Parts availability is no problem. I like the $500 price also. Ken Sweet

Like Mr. Ken said IMHO those are very well made B-Hogs.
Mucho-mucho bang for the buck ! :thumbsup:
With all due respect to anyone out here,I would buy an INTNL,WAC, or a Hawkline before I bought a Queen Krutter standard B-Hog.
BTW:$500 sounds rite to me also.
If buying that one check condition of gearbox oil and rear tail tire.

Boone

 

[kco]

I bought an IM400 (4') 7 years ago. It is one ugly, tough, dependable mower. The dealer sold fancier brands but recommended the IM as a simple tough machine.

I used mine with a Kubota L275 DT and with a DK35 HST this season. I mow on very challenging terrain. I managed to bend the toplink and sidelink with the DK35 because I didn't notice the stresses like I did with the lighter L275. But the mower is fine despite the abuse I put it through.

I'm going slower and more carefully on rough terrain now and hopefully won't bend the top link again.

 

[milkman636]

My dad has a 5 foot version of the IM cutter that he bought when I was a teenager. That was at least 25 years ago, and I just helped him hook it on his tractor last Sunday so he could mow the fields this week. It has been cutting up to 15 acres 2-3 times a year for over 20 years now. The gear box and blades are still the originals.

 

[kebo]

Thanks Ken, that's exactly what I was looking for. I think $500 is fair too if its as lightly used as he says.

I think $500 is a GREAT price for that one. Here is a pic of the IM502 I bought for $500 as well and it's been a good one for three years now. No clue how old mine was when I got but it hasn't seen a whole lot of use and was taken pretty good care of. Good luck with that one, if you get it.

 

[greg_g]

Regarding the slip clutch, can you help me understand better what are the advantages to put one on?

Use the site search engine, there are literally hundreds of discussions about slip clutches. Specific to your question though, you've got it a bit backwards. Slip clutches are better in tall wet tough grass than they are in brush and saplings. The latter just bang around under the deck a bit, but the former can really bind things up under there. Believe it or not, I've hit rocks and stumps bigger than your head with no slippage. But the worst slippage I ever experienced was when I unexpectedly mowed over a saddle blanket hidden in the weeds.

//greg//