I have an oppurtunity to get a new JD MX5 for $1395 with no guards. I want to know if there is a better value, such as king kutter for about half the money. I also need to consider iMatch compatibility. Does anyone know if the KK works with iMatch? Are there other brands to consider as far as best value?
Rotary Cutter Best value rotary cutter
- Thread starter jmt1271
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Soundguy
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Kodiak, KK, Howse.. all are cheaper mowers.. I consider those mowers medium duty.. The JD mower, as well as CNH, and the other big players.. B-hog.. etc.. are more HD ... It all boils down to what you will be doing with it.
You can get 2 KK mowers for the price of that JD.
Are you gonna be abusing them/ or knocking black tops off a pasture 1x per month?
What's yer wallet tell ya?
I've had lotsa mowers.. woods KK howse.. NH (ford ) and JD.. The KK and howse were bought new.. still work fine.. all the others were used.. still work fine...
Soundguy
You can get 2 KK mowers for the price of that JD.
Are you gonna be abusing them/ or knocking black tops off a pasture 1x per month?
What's yer wallet tell ya?
I've had lotsa mowers.. woods KK howse.. NH (ford ) and JD.. The KK and howse were bought new.. still work fine.. all the others were used.. still work fine...
Soundguy
Right now all I will be doing is bush-hogging a few acres every 6-8 weeks for half the year. Once I get to my 35 acre place that will go to 10-15 acres as often as it needs it from then on. I like heavy duty and overbuilt and I plan to keep it for a long time, so I am thinking JD may be the way to go, especially if it is the only one that is iMatch compatible.
Highbeam
Super Member
I bought a fairly cheap Rankin mower which compares with the cheaper howse or KK. I see no reason that anyone needs anything more than this medium to light duty brush hog for mowing fields of grass and weeds on the described schedule. I have found the limitations of my mower and it is not grass, it is mowing large woody debris like the size of my wrist and then backing into things to knock them down before chopping.
Going forward over stuff light enough for the tractor to easily push over will allow the light duty mowers to last for jsut as long as the big boys. Save your money and buy the Howse/KK/Rankin unless you are getting into woody debris.
Going forward over stuff light enough for the tractor to easily push over will allow the light duty mowers to last for jsut as long as the big boys. Save your money and buy the Howse/KK/Rankin unless you are getting into woody debris.
For your tasks, the KK should be good. There are a couple suggestions to make it last longer.
1) Have the dealer, show you how to remove and replace the blades. Actually, have them taken off. While off, put some neversieze on the bolts and moving parts. Bring your own to ensure it gets done.
2) After the first 3 mowings (10 hours of use), change the fluid in the gear box. You may have to flip it over, or use a suction device to get the oil out. Then change the fluid every fall before it gets put down for the winter.
3) Hit the grease fittings before every use. Every use, no matter how short the last use was.
Do that and it will last for a good long time.
jb
1) Have the dealer, show you how to remove and replace the blades. Actually, have them taken off. While off, put some neversieze on the bolts and moving parts. Bring your own to ensure it gets done.
2) After the first 3 mowings (10 hours of use), change the fluid in the gear box. You may have to flip it over, or use a suction device to get the oil out. Then change the fluid every fall before it gets put down for the winter.
3) Hit the grease fittings before every use. Every use, no matter how short the last use was.
Do that and it will last for a good long time.
jb