Best used 6' Bush Hog brands....

wetstuff · Mar 9, 2016

I have had some unknown brand for two decades, but want to replace it. I also have a B.H. brand finish mower and it is really not suitable for the 5ac I infrequently mow. I want buy a new/old 6' bush hog ..but there are lots of brands on Craigslist?! Is there a 'big three' that duke it out for the best? I ride Green but as much as I like the brand, I am only married to 'good' ..not color. 'Appreciate the help. Thanks. Jim

LD1 · Mar 9, 2016

There are ALOT of good ones, even some old heavy no-name ones are better than some of the stuff being sold today.

That said, I think the "big three" would likely be Landpride, Woods, and Bushhog. And not so much that those three are better, but alot more common to find used. Some other good ones are Rhino, Frontier, JD, Brown, etc.

If you want a good one, dont pay to much attention to the brand. Rather how it is built, and condition its in.

Sprinklerman · Mar 9, 2016

If an "unknown brand" lasted you for 2 decades why not get another

sjm1580 · Mar 9, 2016

LD1 said:
There are ALOT of good ones, even some old heavy no-name ones are better than some of the stuff being sold today.

That said, I think the "big three" would likely be Landpride, Woods, and Bushhog. And not so much that those three are better, but alot more common to find used. Some other good ones are Rhino, Frontier, JD, Brown, etc.

If you want a good one, dont pay to much attention to the brand. Rather how it is built, and condition its in.

So I have to ask, been looking at a lot of used cutters and I am gravitating towards a new 6 foot Kodiak medium duty mower. 90 hp gear box and looks to me, well built. Seems to be reasonably priced (a little more than the name brand used ones I see around, but not to much).

Anybody have any thoughts or comments on Kodiak rotary mowers?

MF283 · Mar 9, 2016

JD 616 if you can find one, made awhile back. I have a 717 that is around 20 years old, it has been a good cutter & well built.

Ronnie

brown40 · Mar 10, 2016

Where you're only looking to the used market, you want to check the condition on a case by case basis. Oil leaks, bent metal, broken welds, rewelds... If there's a way to safely check each one under the deck, for leaks and play in the shaft bearing(s), blade condition and blade holder condition, and the ease of changing blades can be assessed. I'd avoid rental yard and contractor machines--home/landowner units will not encounter a new "mystery" after the first couple mows, and have better odds for gentle use. When I was considering a new one, Bush Hog, Rhino, and Woods were the ones I'd narrowed it down to.
No experience with Kodiak--I'd check skirt thickness, gearbox rating and driveline diameter, and weight of the unit compared to the "high ends" people have listed to get a comparison on what materials went into the unit. They are very simple machines that should last a long time if not abused.

wetstuff · Mar 10, 2016

Thanks guys.. And the reason I'd not have another of the same; I have never been able to remove a blade to sharpen it.. the cotter pin is hidden under the deck. I would have had cut a hole (guessing right..) to access it. I'm on my knees with a grinder a couple of times a year - not happy. I'm going hunting! Thanks again.

Jim

jeff9366 · Mar 10, 2016

The T-B-N archive is your friend:

LINK TO SEVENTY KODIAK THREADS:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=517540

MF283 · Mar 10, 2016

I always use the FEL to stand it up to do those things, had to buy a pump being the gear box dosen't have a drain plug or flip it upside down, the pump is easier.

Ronnie

kthompson · Mar 10, 2016

In used you check oil level in the gear box. If NO oil walk away unless you can afford new gear box. No idea in Maryland but a local brand here that is very good is Hardee. Now as others they have more than one grade but they made great ditch bank cutters, had 90 some percentage of market for years and possible still do. Am talking about regional market now. I keep seeing someone posting about sharping blades on rough cut mowers and not saying that is not wise but you will find others who tell you not to for you want the blade to "shatter" the stump it leaves to minimize damage to a tire coming back over it and also to help it rot. Can not remember anyone ever talking about sharping a rough cut mower's blades in my area. Now if you are cutting grass and very few if any small shrubs sharpen those blades. On used the one thing I would want to know is can I get blades for it easy and reasonable price. kt