LD1
Epic Contributor
Thinking about getting a 7' cutter for my mowing business.
Currently running a woods ds96 8' twin. Which does great on regulars that I mow 2-3 times a year. Knee to waist high stuff (weeds and grasses)and it leaves a great cut.
Still fighting with the stubborn stemmy stuff when it gets 4-6 feet tall. Goldenrod, ragweed, etc. No matter how slow I go, 2' stems pop right back up and leaves and unsightly cut. This is maybe 25% of my mowing. Rather than go at a snails pace and still curse the cutter, I just throw in the towel and and mow fast but mow twice in these stubborn areas.
So now I am considering getting a 7' cutter. I loose a foot of width, but gain a couple of feet of deck length. More time under the deck gives the stemmy stuff time to pop up into the blades. In these conditions that I am talking about, a single spindle 6' leaves a much better cut quality than my 8' twin. Was evident this past weekend when tackling a 20 acre CRP plot that dad helped me on with his 6' landpride. So if a 6' single spindle does better....a 7' single outta be better yet.
Dont want to spend $3-$4k on a new cutter. So looking for some of the "better" older ones to keep an eye out for. And which ones to avoid.
Currently within reasonable distance are
World-agritech IM702. 1270# cutter and 80hp gearbox is all I know. Dont know the gearbox ratio or blade tip speed. I think asking price is too high at $1800
Bushhog SQ840. 925# and 90HP gearbox. Lighter for sure. Looks in great shape, price $1500 seems reasonable
Deere 717. CAnnot find any specs on it. Looks clean and straight. No broke and bent metal. But only ~50% paint left on top. Cosmetics dont bother me though. A little more affordable at $1050 asking price.
These big 7' cutters seem to be a good bit tougher to track down than 5' or 6' cutters.
There is also a Bushhog 3008 for a reasonable price here local. Would be nice to have a backup to the DS96. But fear its gonna have the same downfall of cut quality when the stemmy stuff gets 4' or taller. It is also about 350# lighter than the ds96, but rated cut capacity and blade speed are all very similar.
Seeking the words of wisdom from the masses here.
Currently running a woods ds96 8' twin. Which does great on regulars that I mow 2-3 times a year. Knee to waist high stuff (weeds and grasses)and it leaves a great cut.
Still fighting with the stubborn stemmy stuff when it gets 4-6 feet tall. Goldenrod, ragweed, etc. No matter how slow I go, 2' stems pop right back up and leaves and unsightly cut. This is maybe 25% of my mowing. Rather than go at a snails pace and still curse the cutter, I just throw in the towel and and mow fast but mow twice in these stubborn areas.
So now I am considering getting a 7' cutter. I loose a foot of width, but gain a couple of feet of deck length. More time under the deck gives the stemmy stuff time to pop up into the blades. In these conditions that I am talking about, a single spindle 6' leaves a much better cut quality than my 8' twin. Was evident this past weekend when tackling a 20 acre CRP plot that dad helped me on with his 6' landpride. So if a 6' single spindle does better....a 7' single outta be better yet.
Dont want to spend $3-$4k on a new cutter. So looking for some of the "better" older ones to keep an eye out for. And which ones to avoid.
Currently within reasonable distance are
World-agritech IM702. 1270# cutter and 80hp gearbox is all I know. Dont know the gearbox ratio or blade tip speed. I think asking price is too high at $1800
Bushhog SQ840. 925# and 90HP gearbox. Lighter for sure. Looks in great shape, price $1500 seems reasonable
Deere 717. CAnnot find any specs on it. Looks clean and straight. No broke and bent metal. But only ~50% paint left on top. Cosmetics dont bother me though. A little more affordable at $1050 asking price.
These big 7' cutters seem to be a good bit tougher to track down than 5' or 6' cutters.
There is also a Bushhog 3008 for a reasonable price here local. Would be nice to have a backup to the DS96. But fear its gonna have the same downfall of cut quality when the stemmy stuff gets 4' or taller. It is also about 350# lighter than the ds96, but rated cut capacity and blade speed are all very similar.
Seeking the words of wisdom from the masses here.
