woods rm500-2

[alltherage]

I have an opportunity to buy one of these for 500. It's orange and in good shape. It basically doesn't have any dents, just some small spots of rust. The owner says he bought it from another guy who got frustrated because he couldn't get the old blades off. The owner ended up getting the blades off and installed brand new blades. They still have yet to be used. He has other mowers etc. and chooses not to keep this one. It's a 60" with side discharge. It has 2 idler wheels in the back rather than 4 all the way around. This concerned me but it seems that it will fit close to the rear tires and may not be an issue. I've read that you can install chains as a means to prevent scalping on the leading edge.

Anyone have any experience with these? I was really wanting a 72" for our 29hp tractor, but 60" would be fine i guess. We would only mow 1.5 acres with it.

 

[alltherage]

is the 2 wheel vs. 4 wheel thing a big issue?

 

[teg]

Had to google what you were talking about with the 2 vs. 4 wheels. I think will it would depend on what you are going to be mowing. For me, I cut a path around my fields and the mower twists, turns, dips and raises a whole lot. If you are cutting flat smooth ground 2 would work. Can you add the front two wheels? Aftermarket or optional kit?

 

[alltherage]

i guess you could weld on 2 more wheels. I'd be mowing an acre or so of lawn that tends to get rough because of water and rutting that takes place occasionally. the grass gets deep sometimes because it's tough to get onto to mow when wet in spring.

 

[RoyJackson]

As you've described the property, I think you'd be doing a lot of scalping.
Chains won't prevent scalping, but they will reduce the possibility of something being thrown by the mower blades.
There are anti-scalp rollers available as options for many RFM's. You might be able to adapt one of them to this mower.

 

[alltherage]

do you think that's a good price for a 60" woods in good condition?

 

[RoyJackson]

do you think that's a good price for a 60" woods in good condition?

$500 for an RFM? Yeah, good price but I do think it's a pretty old unit since it only has the two trailing wheels.
The 60" RFMs I've seen on Craigslist normally had $1000 plus asking prices.

 

[alltherage]

it's probably older, but brand new blades and no dents. i should probably grab it. the area being mowed is not a showpiece or anything

 

[RoyJackson]

it's probably older, but brand new blades and no dents. i should probably grab it. the area being mowed is not a showpiece or anything

Let us know how it works out for you...

Woods Equipment (http://www.woodsequipment.com/) has a pretty nice website. They might even be able to send you a manual. Click on the SUPPORT link.

 

[alltherage]

k, thanks for your help