What's a fair price for an old bush hog?

[Anonymous Poster]

I noticed my neighbor just bought a new bush hog. I have borrowed his old one before and am planning to go over and ask him if he wants to sell it. It's a Ford 5' and it's in decent shape. I would guess it's about 15 years old or more. As I recall from when I borrowed it a couple of years ago it has a slightly bent PTO shaft and it vibrates somewhat. It also needs new blades since the old ones are almost gone from years of use and resharpening. The wheel is crooked from when he backed into something once and bent the bracket. What would be a fair price for this bush hog? I've been saving up to get a new King Kutter which is $500 at Quality, but for as often as I'd use one I'd prefer to get a used one and save some money. I would only use it about 4 times a year to mow about 2 acres of grass and brush.

[Bird]

Danny, from what little I've seen around here, if the gearbox is still good, it should be worth somewhere between $175 and $250 (and that's based on only a few I've seen sold used, so I'm guessing).

Bird

[Anonymous Poster]

Up here in the Northeast US auctions... minimum $400... If it's got the BrushHog trademark... min. $500. {even rough condition!}...

I'd approach your neighbor and ask him point blank... how much does he want for it... you can use your New KingKutter for $500. as the reference point and go from there...

Don't forget... if his PTO shaft is bend and needs replacement... that may cost $125-175... so figure that in your total equation...

I'll close by saying even a cheap KingKutter is alot of bang for the buck... doing up to 2" material...

Good luck with your decision...

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...If it's got the BrushHog trademark... </font color=blue>

I meant... BUSH HOG®... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Aaaaahhhh... I feel better now...[img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[radman]

I bought my used 6' Bushhog mower at a sale for $250. I would guess it to be 12-15 years old. Works great. Much heavier built than the current Squealer Bushhog mowers. Original blades(good condition), no significant dents, straight pto shaft. The mower you describe needs pto shaft, new blades and whatever else. Your cost of repairs maybe too high unless you can use it as is. If the blades are completely worn out I would consider it used a lot. IMHO, I would probably not buy it.

[cowboydoc]

I agree with Radman. If that thing has that much wear forget it. For what you would pay to buy it and fix it you could have a brand new king cutter and they are not a bad mower by any means. I would go for the new one over the old worn out bush hog. At most I'd give $50 for the old one.