Buying Advice It's the Wife - Please help! :)

RockCreek · Apr 20, 2011

Gentlemen,

I want to buy my husband a bush hog and/or a harley rake for our anniversary.
He has a L4240 we bought new in 2008. I need recommendations on brands/models and pros/cons of both.
He has mentioned several times that he wants these, but has never purchased.
Rapid responses are GREATLY appreciated - our anniversary is today and he already got me a FANTASTIC gift....

Oh - my budget is $1000....

Thank you!

devildog1 · Apr 20, 2011

OK I'll be the first------------ $1000. will not buy a good quility Bush Hog, and the Harley rake is $4000. to $5000.00 new.
DevilDog

Grandad4 · Apr 20, 2011

I think a Harley rake may not fit with your budget, but you should be able to find a bush hog type mower. L4240 should handle a 72" size. There are many brands. The pricey brands will include Woods, LandPride, Rhino, Bush Hog. They are probably going to run somewhat higher than your $1000 budget, but will be better made and last longer. You'll mostly find them at a farm equipment dealer. I have had a Befco mower for 9 years, another good regional brand (made here in NC, by the way). Cheaper brands include King Kutter, Fred Cain and Howse. Also sold by farm dealers, but you'll also find the lower priced models at Tractor Supply or Agri-Supply, if there is one of those stores near you.

These mowers come in light, medium and heavy-duty versions. Mowing pastures and overgrown fields is light to medium duty work; mowing down small trees, hitting stumps and rocks, going into rough terrain as one does when clearing land calls for a heavy-duty cutter. The heavy cutters cost more, weigh more, demand more from the tractor.

Hope these thoughts help. Suggest you take time to get the right type of mower for what is needed. If the work calls for a heavy mower, buying a light duty one is a waste of time and money.

dex3361 · Apr 20, 2011

Since you gave a $1000 and I wouldn't want you to not get the hubby what he wants for his tractor here is a link to
Brush Hog - Tractor Bush Hog, Field Mower, Rotary Cutter, Agricutter, Brush Cutter Brush Hog - Tractor Bush Hog, Field Mower, Rotary Cutter, Agricutter, Brush Cutter His tractor will handle a 72" cutter and that would probably be the size cutter he would choose. You could print this out and take it to a tractor dealer and see what price they would quote. Great gift giving.:thumbsup:

beppington · Apr 20, 2011

RockCreek said:
Gentlemen,

I want to buy my husband a bush hog and/or a harley rake for our anniversary.
He has a L4240 we bought new in 2008. I need recommendations on brands/models and pros/cons of both.
He has mentioned several times that he wants these, but has never purchased.
Rapid responses are GREATLY appreciated - our anniversary is today and he already got me a FANTASTIC gift....

Oh - my budget is $1000....

I think this is going to be difficult. $1000 is not enough to get a good quality, new bush hog or rake. You may have to look at used. Or look at lesser quality ... or yikes, maybe both.

As for a bush hog, what size does he want? I'd recommend 5' wide as a minimum, but some want the 6' width his L4240 can handle.

(I'm not knowledgeable about harley rakes)

nybirdman · Apr 20, 2011

Go to your tractor dealer..see what brands they carry and recommend.I purchased a BUSH HOG branded ,it has 700hrs on it with no problems.
I also have a L4240...buy a 72inch.medium duty SQ 172 .
I would guess about $1500..have hubby kick in the difference...he won't regret it.

cdaigle430 · Apr 20, 2011

Have you tried Craigs list?

teg · Apr 20, 2011

Giving him permission to buy it!!! That is WORTH $1,000 in my mind.

Let him pick it out, and if he goes over budget, don't complain. Not knowing you or your husband, I don't know if this would work. Me and my wife buy our own gifts, but give credit to the other.

I bought her a 6' finishing mower... she bought her ticket to Auburn's championship game (she spent more than me).

RockCreek · Apr 20, 2011

Excellent information and advice...
I can get more $ - so that's not a problem...So - new question:
If you were to select a new rotary cutter, either 5 or 6 ft, what brand/model would you pick?
We have 60 acres - only ~12 of which is cleared and only 10 has grass....we would be using it on small hills, stumps, etc, so I would want a heavy duty one...

Thanks again!!

RogerMc · Apr 20, 2011

I think you need to get a nice card and put a check in it and say its for you tractor. What you buy may not be what he wants. This is not a new tie. :laughing:

Roger