Buying Used Rotary Mower

[RidgeHiker]

I have never owned or used a rotary mower. I have a small project on an acre or less with oaks, low brush, manzanita, tons of oak leaves, etc. that I need to prep for fire safety (Northern Calif.). At most once a year. There are oak branches on the ground. Basically want to leave everything pretty well mulched on the ground. I will probably remove branches over 2" but leave the branch ends to mow down. So here are several questions.
1. Does this sound like a reasonable project for a rotary mower?
2. I see adds for a couple mowers around. One is 48" and the owner said like a Country Line. My tractor is 45.6 PTO HP. I expect the 48" mower is rated for less HP. Would this damage a lower rated mower if used carefully?
3. The mowers I'm seeing are not hooked up to tractors and are older. How do I tell if they are in decent condition. One is a Bush Hog brand that looks ancient. Will try to post a photo. Bush Hog site said they have been in business since 1951 - that's 70 years ago!

Hiring a mulcher would be an awesome solution but do not want to spend the $$$.
I don't mind buying something old since it won't be used much, just want it to work decently.
Thanks!!!

 

[RidgeHiker]

 

[ultrarunner]

They don’t build em like they use too...

I am in similar and looking for an old Yazoo mower...

Fixed up an old one and used it one day and gobbled a lot of twigs and small brush.

The person that gave it too me saw what a good job it did wanted it back.

Neighbor on a residential hillside lot o12,000 square feet is 96 so he thought he would call a couple of the clearing guys leaving cards...

One wanted 4K and another 3k... a little steep when you live on 2500 month...

My nephew said he would help out this week...

The ban on gas trimmers is causing sticker shock.

 

[TerryR]

3. The mowers I'm seeing are not hooked up to tractors and are older. How do I tell if they are in decent condition. One is a Bush Hog brand that looks ancient. Will try to post a photo. Bush Hog site said they have been in business since 1951 - that's 70 years ago!

I bought my Bush Hog rotary about 22 years ago, and this one looks newer to me. Mine had the same design except that it didn't have the rounded rear corners. I used mine for 20 years mowing about 5 acres twice a year, and it was find when I sold it.

 

[bdog]

Bush hog is a good brand. I would pull the fill plug on the gear box and get a look at the oil and see what shape it is in. Country line is the tractor supply brand and from my experience is cheap junk. I would much prefer to have a older bush hog in good shape than new country line.

 

[Zebrafive]

That Bush hog looks old and faded, but not abused.
I bought a used Woods Brushbull. It ran 30 minutes then a terrible vibration. Bearings on the output shaft had failed.
I replaced them and both seals. It has been trouble free since.
I don't think the seller knew this would happen. He put it on his tractor and ran it at PTO speed when I looked at it.

 

[fried1765]

I have never owned or used a rotary mower. I have a small project on an acre or less with oaks, low brush, manzanita, tons of oak leaves, etc. that I need to prep for fire safety (Northern Calif.). At most once a year. There are oak branches on the ground. Basically want to leave everything pretty well mulched on the ground. I will probably remove branches over 2" but leave the branch ends to mow down. So here are several questions.
1. Does this sound like a reasonable project for a rotary mower?
2. I see adds for a couple mowers around. One is 48" and the owner said like a Country Line. My tractor is 45.6 PTO HP. I expect the 48" mower is rated for less HP. Would this damage a lower rated mower if used carefully?
3. The mowers I'm seeing are not hooked up to tractors and are older. How do I tell if they are in decent condition. One is a Bush Hog brand that looks ancient. Will try to post a photo. Bush Hog site said they have been in business since 1951 - that's 70 years ago!

Hiring a mulcher would be an awesome solution but do not want to spend the $$$.
I don't mind buying something old since it won't be used much, just want it to work decently.
Thanks!!!

Try to put the "County Line" idea completely out of your head!
"County Line" implements are made by Tarter Gate, under a contract with Tractor Supply.
They are the absolute low end of the 3pt. mower options.
A good brand name mower, such as Bush Hog/Frontier/Land Pride will be significantly more reliable/durable.

 

[RidgeHiker]

If the Bush Hog is pretty old would parts still be available?

 

[fried1765]

If the Bush Hog is pretty old would parts still be available?

Maybe call German Bilss Parts (an online Bush Hog supplier), and ask.
1-855-667-0970

 

[JethroB]

It appears in the second photo that some alterations or cutting has been made to the top link connecting point. With the chain lying there I would suspect they are using the chain instead of a standard top link. Some folks prefer that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My first thought. Buy old and heavy or buy newer brand name. Some real (short line) junk out there recently.

Take some wrenches and piece of stiff wire to check oil level. Look for leaking oil around shaft seals. Could mean it's gone dry, especially if filler doesn't look touched.

The GEARBOX is the single most important (and expensive) component.

 

[TerryR]

It appears in the second photo that some alterations or cutting has been made to the top link connecting point. With the chain lying there I would suspect they are using the chain instead of a standard top link. Some folks prefer that.

The chain may have been original equipment. It was on mine from about 1997.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Just talked to the owner. Had the chain on to move it.
Am going to look at it. Anything else to check?

 

[RidgeHiker]

Owner is asking $500. Does that sound reasonable?
Checked and gear box parts are still available for it.

 

[Gregster613]

RidgeHiker. That mower is old and as such was "solidly" built. As mentioned previously, check for oil in gearbox and if possible have owner run in on his tractor to hear for any squealing bearings; otherwise I feel that yes $500 is a reasonable price. Good luck. Greg

 

[Henro]

2. I see adds for a couple mowers around. One is 48" and the owner said like a Country Line. My tractor is 45.6 PTO HP. I expect the 48" mower is rated for less HP. Would this damage a lower rated mower if used carefully?

Usually the HP stated is what the implement needs to do its job. Having excess should not hurt if you are not abusing it. The HP required is determined by what you are doing with the implement. If only normal design use, you should have no problem.

I should think you could easily safely use a 72 inch rotary cutter with your tractor. But that is irrelevant to your question.

If you buy that rotary cutter you should be fine, and so should it, if you use it like you said you intended.

 

[Hay Dude]

Look for milky oil in box. A sign the gearbox has water in it. grasp the pto shaft and twist it clock/counter-clock to check for excess wear.
I'd counteroffer 4 and see what he says..... I got kids in college so I'm a cheap sum-b.... (sorry for the disguised profanity)
Maybe look to settle on $450?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I know people who can get good stuff for nothing. They would get that mower for $200.00 I don't know how they do it. I can't.

 

[ssgp2]

Doesn't look like it has been abused and in pretty good shape. Check the gearbox oil and for signs of leakage underneath on the output shaft. Note: it is common in some areas of the country to remedy leaking seals with bearing grease. Check that the blades rotate freely and are not bent and are even. Check for play in the U-joints . Also noticed that it appears to be set up for a quick-hitch, in that the top link connector is missing.

 

[RidgeHiker]

I bought it. Actually turned out I knew the wife so was a good connection with them. PTO shaft turned freely in both directions. Oil may have been low but don't know how much it takes. Was a couple inches below the top and looked pretty clear. Didn't seem that low because the gear box is large.
The blades were dull. How important is it for them to be sharper if not cutting grass, just brush, some dead branches (not large), and mulching years of oak leaves?
Any thoughts on how much to fill a gear box?
Thanks for all your support so far. Helped me to make my purchase decision.