Rotary Cutter Bushhog Or Woods Brand Rotary Cutter

[Cabinholler]

I can buy a new medium heavy duty 7 foot lift type Bushhog or Woods brand rotary cutter for the same price of $1,950.00. Both of these rotary cutters have around a 90 horsepower gear box with slip clutch, and a single wheel in the rear. I was wanting a rotary cutter with 2 wheels in the rear, because I think that a 2 rear wheel rotary cutter might cut better than a rotary cutter with a single wheel in the rear, when cutting on rolling ground, but I could be wrong about this issue. The dealer that I checked with has both the 7 foot lift type Bushhog and Woods brand rotary cutters in stock for the same money of $1,950.00. Which brand, Bushhog or Woods rotary cutter would be the best buy for $1,950.00. Also, is this price of $1,950.00 to high, or about the right price for a medium heavy duty 7 foot lift type single rear wheel Bushhog or Woods brand rotary cutter.

Also, I found another dealer that sells International brand rotary cutters that are made in the state of Ohio. He priced me a price of $1,500.00 for a heavy duty 7 foot lift type rotary cutter with a 75 horsepower gearbox and slip clutch. This seems like a pretty good deal, but I know nothing about a International brand rotary cutter. Anyone know anything about a International brand rotary cutter.

A reply to this message would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Cabinholler

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

I would assume you're referring to a Woods BB840. I have one and a BB8400. They are first rate equipment...Woods is available at more dealers than any of the "name brands" so parts and service would be easier to get, I would think. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Question...? Do either come with saftey chains at that price? Or is that with the metal guards? (also available with rubber?) I bought both Woods WITHOUT the chain guards, then made my own, to save about $480 on each mower. (Probably spent $100 on each mower making my own) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If my memory is correct, the Bush Hog model comparable, is about 175LBS heavier. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I prefer SINGLE rear wheels. The double wheels interfere with cornering near and around trees. The rounded back end, combined with single rear wheel will allow you to swing the rear end in close to trees. Also, they (doubles) add about 250LBS of extra weight WAY out on the tail end. Even with a good, heavy tractor, that means more FRONT weights needed to balance the load. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I do commercial bush hogging. Usually We run our mowers for 3 to 5 years, with around 1200 to 1400 hours per year of TORTUROUS use. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Never so much as a whimper from the Woods BB840. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That's NOT to say the Bush Hog isn't a good mower, but I can speak from experience that the Woods IS A GOOD UNIT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

If I were faced with the same situation, I'd go with the Woods simply because I've seen so many OLD Woods cutters that are still going strong. I know that parts for very old Woods are still easily found. I don't know enough about the Bushhog brand, but I understand they are excellent products as well.
As for the International, I've read many times that they make some pretty good stuff, a little rougher paint maybe, but sturdy. I think for the difference though, the longevity of the Woods company, and avaiability of parts would send me in that direction once again.
As for the price, I don't know really. I've found the best way to find out if a price is good is to make inquires of as many dealers as possible and go from there. You may even do a little better going farther away from where you are.
Ken Sweet may be able to get you something at a better price. www.sweettractors.com
John

 

[1savoy]

Cabinholler,

The price of $1,950.00 sounds real good. I priced new Woods rotary cutters two summers ago. After looking at several different models, I decided I liked the Woods the best. I tried two different dealers and got almost the exact same quote from both. They were giving me about 15% of list. You may do better in your location, the northeast tends to have higher prices. I did not write down all the prices but they wanted approx $1,360.00 for the standard duty Model 72 and $2,175.00 for the standard duty Model 84. They wanted approx $2,150 for the medium duty Model 720. I can not remember if these prices included the chains, probably not. I do not know if this helps, but I think your price sounds good. You may want to ask the dealer what list price is and see how much he is taking off. 15-20% off should be decent, at least in my area.

Good luck,
Russ

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Anyone know anything about a International brand rotary cutter. )</font>

Can't contribute anything meaningful about Woods or BH, but I've had very good luck with International. Nothing pretty to look at, but good solid cutting machines and good value for the dollar. I had a 5' medium duty before going to my current 6' slip clutch model. I do have to keep an eye on the lock washers, but then again that can be said about most ag equipment.

Together they totaled just under $1500, but that was before the last year's jump in steel prices. So based upon my experience with the IM-500 and IM-602, I believe the IM-702 should perform well for you as a general duty rotary cutter.

//greg//

 

[Dk45_Jeff]

I think $1950 is a great price on a BB840, and a steal if that includes the front and rear chain guards. I paid $2100 for my BB720 and $269 for the chain guards. I have no problem cutting 3" oak or 5" pine saplings. Those aren't estimated diameters, I actually measured some of the stuff I've cut. These are really rugged units, Wood's heavy duty models must be built like tanks.

One thing that confuses me in your post you mentioned a 90 hp gearbox. The standard duty BB84 has a 90 hp gearbox while the medium duty BB840 has a 120 hp model. There is a huge difference in capacity, and price between those two models. You might want to confirm which the dealer is quoting you.

 

[Bob_Young]

I just bought a Woods BB720, Cabin, and can't report on its performance yet. However, the pricing was in line with what Dk45 and 1savoy have mentioned. The thing looks tough as nails compared to my old Woods M5 Dixiecutter and that thing has taken alot of abuse over the last 29 years. The price you mentioned is excellent for a BB840, even without the chains.

One caution, if it's truly the BB840 you're buying. They're heavy and almost too much for most CUTs to lift off the ground without alot of weight up front. My L4300 will lift the BB720 with the FEL in place, but I'm not sure what'll happen when it's off. If there's a problem, I may disconnect the top link and leave the tailwheel on the ground. I prefer to mow without the FEL. Fortunately I have a bigger tractor if the Kubota's too light.

My dealer cautioned me about the BB720's weight. It's over 1100 lbs. He recommended the BB72 standard duty, but I wanted something tougher. With much of the weight extending well behind the lift arms, most CUTs are limited to 900 lbs or less for a 3-pt. rotary cutter without front end weights. Your BB840 is almost 1300 lbs.

Dk's also got the gearbox rating values right. The BB84 standard duty has the 90HP box while the BB840 medium duty is rated at 120HP.
FWIW
Bob

 

[bigtractor]

If you can get a BB840 for $1950 you are paying less than the dealer paid Woods by sveral hundreds of dollars. Plus he had to assemble it which is worth $125.

Now I have people look at the BB720 and think it means 7 foot and $2000 for a 720 is a good price.

Or he may have quoted a BB84 which has a 90hp gearbox, cat. 4 clutch, and can sell for around $2000 and is equal to others med. duty. The Woods Med. duty is equal to most heavy and the heavy duty is equal to what others call Extreme Duty.

That said the Woods offers a deeper deck allowing material to get on top of the blades for better cutting and little to no windrowing , a steel shield over the gearbox oil seal, an unequaled gearbox, the best built frame, quick change blade system (take note of this on the Med and Hvy.) ,etc. , and as we say "Woods Care" for parts.

 

[rebelmedic]

I had second hand woods 4 Ft cutter on a massy TO30 for many years with no problems. It`s still in the family goeing strong. Thats why i now have a BB72 with the 120HP gear box on the new tractor. I`m very happy with the way it works.Here in the south i gave $1800 for it with the steel guards. Seems the price you have for the bigger BB84 is a good price. Woods units are very heavy as Bob advised but,this makes them extremely durable

 

[Willman]

I too have a International IM-502 trailer type.
Have a dealer just a few miles away.
I can't complain at all about the cutter. Had it about eight years now and has held up real well. Its a heavy built unit with a 3/16" top deck. I pulled that thing through alot of tough cutting and over quite a few downed branches hiding in the weeds along the tree lines.
I am in the process of looking for a 3 pt. 6 ft. cutter and will price out another International along with about five or six other brands.
I have not been able to find a web site for International which is strange because all the manf. have web sites.