Rear Finish Mower 72" Woods PRD7200 vs TS and RK and???

[Rock Crawler]

I have a B2650, 19.5 PTO HP. I am looking at buying a 3 point 72" finish mower for my manicured lawn. It will not be cutting inches of grass, I cut 2 times a week (4-5 day intervals) during the fast growing season, and once a week to 10 days when it is getting dry in the summer. So HP requirement is not significant as if I were out cutting 2-3 inches of growth.
Product Details

Anyways, I am looking at the Woods PRD7200 with the opinion that is one of the highest quality mowers out there, but it is also about double the cost of the ones I see at Tractor Supply and Rural King websites. Are the Woods mowers that good that they are worth $1000-$1500 more than one from a retail store?

What would you recommend for a well built mower that will stand the test of time and provide a very smooth cut and minimal clumping from the discharge?

Ideally, I look for the crossover of quality, performance and price.... the proverbial sweet spot of all around value.
What mowers are able to stake claim to hitting that sweet spot, or is Woods just so well built and such a great performer that I should man up and drop the money?

 

[bspeedy]

Brand name equipment is worth the extra money. For me, a used Bush Hog or Woods mower is more value than a brand new no-name mower for the same money.

Here's a test - your lawn needs mowed in the next two days and you just broke a wheel fork, a spindle, a blade and the belt. How long will it take you to get them? With Woods or BH, you will be mowing soon. Check out the parts availability of the others...

 

[Rock Crawler]

Dang you! I wanted to hear that I am wrong on my opinion of woods and that they are not about the best you'll buy! Your going to pry $3000 out of my pocket for that PRD7200 :smiley_aafz:

 

[ralphtt]

The Woods PRD7200 is well built and is a great performer. As an interested observer I have no hesitation recommending you should certainly consider one for your lawn work.

That said, I must warn you that I have zero experience with any other finish mowers. So I cannot in good conscience make an unqualified recommendation.

Another concern . . . I'm using a JD 2038R with ~30 PTO horsepower. Woods recommends 20-40 HP. The 2038R has absolutely no problem with thick grass and hilly terrain . . . dunno how your 20 HP would work. It's one of those "your mileage may vary" situations.

:confused3:

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you . . . :thumbsup:

 

[teg]

I bought Bush Hog 72" RDTH (Rear Discharge Finishing Mower) for $750 off of Craig's list. I had to weld something and un-bend the lift arms (on the hog). Other than that, it's been bullet proof, not sure what he did to it but the mower had no rust on it. It will out last myself...

 

[sugarloafguy]

Hi,

I am on my second Woods mower in 35ish years and only because I traded tractors. I had an RM550 and now run a PRD7200. I mow lots of grass it is worth the extra money. Just a belt or two over the years. One of the things I dislike about it is the anti-shimmy springs on the casters-I prefer the spacer and pin design but it works well and the mower is noisy. I am not crazy about the OEM carbide blades either. That said I had a New Holland 310/320 Series RFM made in Italy by Sitrex on my TC29DA that spun a little slower but was quiet like my 918L flail and mowed fantastic with GATOR BLADES in place of factory OEM blades. My New Holland TC24DA with the 914A-rear discharge MMM with Gators mows better than the Woods. Sounds like the PRD7200 might be the perfect fit and there are lots around on dealer lots in the $2500.00+ range rather than the $4500.00 list.

Brian

 

[Rock Crawler]

I was quoted $3000 locally, I'll have to call around and look for the $2500 target price you mentioned. My quote was $3,000 for the upper line Woods 72", $2,500 for the Woods standard 72" and $2,500 for the Titan 72".

 

[Oldoak]

I can say Woods is one of the best. :thumbsup:

I have a Woods RD7200 finishing mower which I purchased new back in 1997 for $1800.
I maintain a 3 acre apple orchard with it, mowing the grassy rows between the trees. Cuts like a dream and the rear discharge doesn't windrow the clippings like a side discharge mower.

My Woods is stoutly built and I never replaced a single item other then one set of blades. Still using the original deck belt.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I can say Woods is one of the best. :thumbsup:

I have a Woods RD7200 finishing mower which I purchased new back in 1997 for $1800.
I maintain a 3 acre apple orchard with it, mowing the grassy rows between the trees. Cuts like a dream and the rear discharge doesn't windrow the clippings like a side discharge mower.

My Woods is stoutly built and I never replaced a single item other then one set of blades. Still using the original deck belt.

There is a used RD6000 locally, the guy says it is around 10 years old and he wants $1000 for it. The RD series is the ball bearing design rather than the tapered roller bearing spindle, but going by what you are seeing... that may not be much of an issue? I could likely offer him $800 and get someplace in between that offer and his asking. I really wanted a 72", but the 10 year old used RD6000 is really affordable!

 

[Oldoak]

There is a used RD6000 locally, the guy says it is around 10 years old and he wants $1000 for it. The RD series is the ball bearing design rather than the tapered roller bearing spindle, but going by what you are seeing... that may not be much of an issue? I could likely offer him $800 and get someplace in between that offer and his asking. I really wanted a 72", but the 10 year old used RD6000 is really affordable!

Your information from concerning the bearings is not right......unless they changed their design over the years.

My Woods RD7200 has two peace cup and cone tapered roller bearings on the spindle assemblies. Just checked the parts list in the manual to be certain.

My mower has been flawless for 20 years now. One note, it has always been cleaned, properly lubricated, and stored under roof when not in use, as is all my equipment. There are probably other good makes out there. I can only give you my experience with Woods.