Rear Finish Mower Which 3pt finish mower is best value?

[Doug Lee]

I have a piece of junk old Rhino 72" finish mower that I'm tired of fixing. Nothing against Rhinos, I'm sure it was a great mower about a thousand hours of use ago. Where I use it, I could use a riding mower instead (probably better), but my wife really wants me to stick with a finish mower. :thumbsup:

I'm thinking of going with a 5 foot or 6 foot finish mower, anyone have suggestions as to best value? I don't want some no-name made in China piece of junk, but I'd like to keep it under $2k. Any suggestions?

 

[coobie]

I have a piece of junk old Rhino 72" finish mower that I'm tired of fixing. Nothing against Rhinos, I'm sure it was a great mower about a thousand hours of use ago. Where I use it, I could use a riding mower instead (probably better), but my wife really wants me to stick with a finish mower. :thumbsup:

I'm thinking of going with a 5 foot or 6 foot finish mower, anyone have suggestions as to best value? I don't want some no-name made in China piece of junk, but I'd like to keep it under $2k. Any suggestions?

I ended buying a nice used woods RD7200(6ft)off the local craigs list for $1100 bucks.IMHO very heavy built finish mower.coobie

 

[Andy in Gap]

I have a 6' Pittsburg/Taylor way finish mower that I really like. Got it used off of CL for $450 and have been very impressed with the quality of cut. It was made in the USA. Not sure what the case is now or what a new one costs.

 

[coobie]

I have a 6' Pittsburg/Taylor way finish mower that I really like. Got it used off of CL for $450 and have been very impressed with the quality of cut. It was made in the USA. Not sure what the case is now or what a new one costs.

I own one of there 5ft brush hogs and they are nice quality made units for the price.coobie

 

[TripleR]

We have two Caroni RFM, a 7' and 8' that are well over fifteen years old and still work well. The price is reasonable, or was when we bought them and the quality has been surprisingly good as these things were used hard as field mowers with some use on our yards.

 

[bp fick]

I have an Italian made Phoenix/First Choice by Sicma. Really, really well made, priced right and does a wonderful job. Highly recommend them.

 

[hawkeye08]

I have the Land Pride in my signature, it was under $2k and has worked well for me. I purchased extra set of blades and belt with it.

 

[whistlepig]

I tried one of the Italian mowers and it did not hold up. I am not going to say the brand because I will get beat up here. First the wheel arms cracked and fell off. Then the deck started stress cracking around the spindles. The spindles were mild steel fabrications and not machined cast iron. I bent a spindle on a baseball. Didn't hurt the blade. Something not right when a spindle bends before the blade. I have a Woods PRD7200 72" mower now. I consider it the best made and well worth the money.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a Woods PRD7200 72" mower now. I consider it the best made and well worth the money.

I have the same RFM (sold as a Deere Frontier though) and it is a great mower. Very heavy duty!
The Frontier brands are strictly rebadged models...some are Woods, some Befco.
So, I've had both Woods (the Frontier) and two Befco's over the last 10-11 years. The Befcos were both great. The first (a 60" unit) was sold as part of selling my 790, the 2nd was an 84" mower that cut great, but was too big for my garage (sold it to a buddy who needed a bigger mower).
So, Woods (Frontier) or Befco...both great mowers. I will say the Woods 72" mower weighs as much as the Befco 84" mower, BTW.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I ran a light duty land pride 5' unit for 14 years and never replaced a bearing...
Only replaced 1 belt and a couple of wheels...
I sold it to a friend of mine and he has run it 5 more years...
It has been virtually indestructible...
I have since then run a 6' PRD Woods model...
It is heavier built than the Land Pride and has been just as reliable...
They are not as cheap as the Italian units but I got a good deal on the Woods and wanted the heavier duty unit...
I am very happy with my mower...