Anything else equal to a Woods RM990 RFM?

Pacesetter300 · Apr 22, 2003

This spring I will be cutting the perimiter of my 14 acre field. It doesn't need to be "bush hogged" as it's only grass, but it's certainly not a lawn by any definition. Besides a 6' or 7 ' bush hog is really huge and I'd rather not tote that around, much less a batwing . I notice a number of companies offer 84" RFM's but none seem as rugged as the Woods 990. Is there anything else compatible to look at or is an 84" RFM plenty rugged enough to handle a field? Which is better for this a pull type or 3-PT type, I see both are offered?
Any input regarding these is appreciated!
Pacesetter

djradz · Apr 22, 2003

I've been using my Woods RM 306 for about 27 years now (someone else did for 10 yrs before me) and it still it ticking in spite of much of its use being spent on trails and fields. I can definitely attest to the longevity of Woods equipment.

JATO_RaT · Apr 23, 2003

I have both a Woods and Landpride mower. The Landpride is a 84" finish mower while the Woods is a 80" offset brush mower. Undoubtedly the Woods has more steel, as well it should with the punishment it has to endure. The Landpride finish mower is far easier to cut with, resting on four casters, it rarely scalps. I pretty much never use the Woods brush mower anymore, I don't doubt that the Woods finish mower may be more heavy duty then the Landpride. My Landpride has a great design, the steel is thick where it needs to be. Rat...

RickB · Apr 24, 2003

In a word, NO! I am no big fan of Woods equipment, but the RM990 is the ONLY finish mower I know of that has free swinging blades. This allows it to do a finish quality mowing job in semi-rough areas having rocks & debris that would bend conventional finish mower blades. I dragged an old RM990 home from the back of the lot at work, put a set of blades and a belt on it, and am starting my 3rd season of mowing my 5 acres with it. The mower had been sitting for 3 or 4 years. They are simply great machines with no equal.

Pacesetter300 · Apr 24, 2003

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the input. For my circumstances where I want to cover a large area but don't want a large bush hog, it seems to be the ticket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pacesetter

rbargeron · Apr 24, 2003

I agree with RickB. The woods RM990 is the only finish mower I've seen with commercial quality construction and swing-back blades. I get Quicksilver blades (cheaper) for mine. One suggestion I would make is to get the four-castor setup - it follows the contour of the land. Also, on mine I took off the chain plates. Less weight, less length, less stuff to fold up when you back up to a tree. See this review

rbargeron · Apr 25, 2003

Regarding whether to choose 3 pt or pull-type: The 3-pt with 4 castors does a great job and follows the tractor perfectly with just the right amount of float. Also, you can back it up - very nice for trimming around bushes, trees, etc. Maybe the pull-type is better for smaller tractors where 1200 pounds is too much for the 3 pt hitch, but those tractors probably wouldn't have power enough either...so I don't know when the pull type has the advantage. I noticed that Woods says a 25 hp tractor will drive it - I don't agree unless all its ever used for is weekly trimming of a lawn. If you have any real grass load, the RM-990 soaks up 30-35 pto hp (unless you go very slow)

Dick B