buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
My King Kutter RFM has worked very well for over 10 yrs. Parts have been easy to get, either direct from KK or via TSC store.
Rear Finish mower?
- Thread starter tinman955
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Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
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- 16,316
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- Daleville, IN
- Tractor
- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
Here is my experience. I bought a TSC mower in 2003 for $899. In 4 years of use I had to spend $800 in parts. The wheels fell apart and replaced with a heavier wheel that was airless at a cost of $250. Also had welds brake, gear box leak, multiple belt breaks @ $50 each and idler pulley failures @ $25 each. They had sealed bearings and were junk. I sold it in the spring of 2007 on CL for $450. It was a happy day.
I replaced it with a $1200 Caroni built just like the one Sweet is showing you. I have spent about $.15 on repairs. Thats it, just one bolt fell out and needed replacing. It has 1/3 the moving parts and is bullet proof.
When looking at a RFM look for as few moving parts as possible and make sure the ones that do have the ability to be greased. My Caroni has just a gear box with a pulley and 3 spindles. 2 belts drive them with each belt driving the center blade and one outer. So even if you have a belt failure you would still have 2 still turning and allow you to finish the job and then you can fix it when done.
Chris
I replaced it with a $1200 Caroni built just like the one Sweet is showing you. I have spent about $.15 on repairs. Thats it, just one bolt fell out and needed replacing. It has 1/3 the moving parts and is bullet proof.
When looking at a RFM look for as few moving parts as possible and make sure the ones that do have the ability to be greased. My Caroni has just a gear box with a pulley and 3 spindles. 2 belts drive them with each belt driving the center blade and one outer. So even if you have a belt failure you would still have 2 still turning and allow you to finish the job and then you can fix it when done.
Chris
EverythingAttachments
Elite Member
I have made a video of the Phoenix (Sicma) Finishing mower in action as well as going over all the right features you will find in a quality finish mower.
Check it out. Hope it helps!
Check it out. Hope it helps!
AndyG
Gold Member
Do rear discharge mowers handle tall grass as well as a side discharge?
sweettractors
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52Redbelly
New member
I have a new Chinese RFM with maybe 20 hours. It does a good job of cutting but for how long? One weld has broken, a wheel fel off, and the gearbox is so loud I have to wear earphones. I got it cheap and cheap is what I got. Next time I'll buy a good one even if it's used.
Soundguy
Old Timer
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what oil ya got inthe gearbox. if it's what came in it.. I'd drain it and run some 85-140 in there if it howls good. and if real bad.. put in a 50-50 mix of 85/140 and ep 0 or 00 ggrease. I have a 10' mower that calls for 140 or 0/00 grease... big heavy duty noisy sucker..
52Redbelly
New member
It is original oil. I am going to put in the thick Lucas synthetic. Hope it quiets down. It really screams.
handyhershey
New member
I have a buehler farm king 84 inch that does a good job on both short and tall grass. It is rear discharge. Paid 1400 this spring on cl for it. Great shape and seems to be very well built.
I just picked up a Woods RDC 54 to run behind my Bolens G152. Local dealer was a BIT high at $2400!!!! Next day found a very clean lightly used one in a CL ad for $1000, only 15 miles from my home too. Pretty easy to figure which way I went! Works excellent, quiet, effecient, nice cut. It has the solid wheels, anti-scalp roller and rear chain options. I also have an RD 72 which I bought about 10 years ago when I was mowing 5 acres a week but it and the JD 4700 are too big for the area I am now doing. The RD 72 NEVER gave me a lick of trouble so it was easy for me to want another Woods. I also had a 6 ft Caroni for a while, gave a beautiful cut. Had to replace a seal in the gearbox and it was a bit noisy but overall a very good mower.
