Rotary Cutter 7' or 8' rotary cutter ?

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmwithjunk, i am looking to buy a woods BB720, why do you not like your woods BB840?

At one point I owned 3 Woods mowers. (Use 'em in a mowing business) I had issues with all 3. In particular, the BB840 had problems with paint for one. The paint came off in sheets with-in a couple months of purchase. It was apparent no primer was used, nor was the metal cleaned (oil?) prior to painting. In a year, I had large scale rust issues. I took my complaint first to the dealer, ho then passed the buck on to Woods. They essentially refused to listen to my complaint. Also, the struts running from the 3-point top link mount to the rear of the mower would flex and bend. That's with more than enough movement in the "toggle" portion of the hitch that SHOULD have prevented the problem. Finally, the gear box failed in approx. 450 hours of use. No warranty help there either, even though we were less than 6 months from time of purchase. Warranty claim denied.

I had 2 more Woods mowers, both MD172's. They were the predecesor to the BB720 series. Both lost pinion bearings in just over 2 years service.

I now use Bush Hog mowers exclusively.

 

[PennTN75]

I purchased a Bush hog 297 and really like it. The paint seems very durable. The side bands and wear plates seem tough and resistant to rocks. The clean top makes cleaning easy. I mow some very thick stuff (golden rod and red brush through 3" diameter) and it eats it up. The driveline seems quite robust. I have a single tail wheel and it works well. It is a 3PTH attach. I have a TN75 4wd with loader and it handles it just fine.

I nailed some good sized rocks that shockingly were pulverized (as I cringed and hit the lift up ASAP). No dings or dents though!

The only thing I will say is that it took several months to get this unit as I ordered it (couldn't find one on a lot). And...I wanted it to be BLUE

 

[TerryJ]

I have owned both 7' and 8' models. In my opinion there is no comparison, the 8' beats the 7' hands down. Period! My $.02

 

[dawoodwa]

For both models I would need to go with 3pt mounted version because of my need to be able to load the tractor and cutter on my trailer, and I'm not sure you could do that with a tow version of the cutters.

Thanks!

Shouldn't have any problem with the pull type, I load my batwing on the gooseneck all the time.

 

[PSDStu]

Thanks for all the responses. I have called a couple of Bush Hog dealers today and will have to wait till Monday for them to get me a price for the 3008.

I also want to get a price on the Woods MDS-96 twin spindle, 8' cutter.

I did happen to see a Brown 484, twin tail wheel, 7' cutter for $3495 at our local Massey/NH dealer........WOW...nice cutter!.....but probably overkill for the pastures I am going to cut.......but....

Curious what others may have paid for there 3008, or if anyone has a Woods MDS-96 what it might have cost?

Stu

 

[rvaitor]

Thanks for all the responses. I have called a couple of Bush Hog dealers today and will have to wait till Monday for them to get me a price for the 3008.

I also want to get a price on the Woods MDS-96 twin spindle, 8' cutter.

I did happen to see a Brown 484, twin tail wheel, 7' cutter for $3495 at our local Massey/NH dealer........WOW...nice cutter!.....but probably overkill for the pastures I am going to cut.......but....

Curious what others may have paid for there 3008, or if anyone has a Woods MDS-96 what it might have cost?

Stu

I bought a 7ft dual tail wheel International Machines (World Agri-tech) medium duty cutter a couple of years ago for about $1700. I've used it to mostly reclaim neglected fields. I've been very happy with it.

 

[MMM]

You might look into a semi-mount also (bit more control than drawbar type), as weight will likely be a problem with 50 series, but hp no problem. I regularly cut bahia with a pull type Woods 121 and 40 odd pto hp. I can't mow at 5mph, but it's to bumpy for that anyway.

 

[PSDStu]

Got some prices yesterday and here is what I have narrowed my choices down to.

Bush Hog 3008, 3pt mount, $4950, 1600lbs

Woods DS96, 3pt Mount, $4200, 1400lbs

Brown 484, Twin Tail Wheels, $3495, 1375lbs

Woods BB840, Twin Tail Wheels, $3100, 1280lbs

I still have to decide which of these to purchase for mowing my pastures, as well as being able to load on my gosseneck trailer.

Based on most of the comments, it's looking like an 8 foot cutter over a 7 foot one, and most seem to like the Bush Hog 3008 over the Woods.

I'm a little concerned about the weight of the 3008, primarily when trying to load and unload the tractor on/off my trailer. I have 4 suitcase weights now (@600lbs) and can always add 4 more weights.

Decisions, decisions.......

Stu

 

[wf758]

Stu...what did you do?

I'm a newbie to tractors overall. I'm looking at a few diff 50hp Kubota models and my dealer recommended the Bush Hog 3008. Did you get it? How does the 5040 handle with it?

Thanks,
Will

 

[PSDStu]

Stu...what did you do?

I'm a newbie to tractors overall. I'm looking at a few diff 50hp Kubota models and my dealer recommended the Bush Hog 3008. Did you get it? How does the 5040 handle with it?

Thanks,
Will

I went with the Woods DS-96 cutter and it has worked great!

The 3008 is a great cutter and you won't go wrong with it!

Good luck!