Big Finish Mower

[Tritonman]

I am in the market for a big finish mower. 84 inches or more. Any suggestions and price ranges. Thanks

 

[greg_g]

First Choice GM35-84. If you're anywhere near me, I've got one you can test drive. I think they're still retailing under $2000. Used obviously depends upon condition, but I'd guess decent ones could go upwards from $1200

//greg//

 

[radman1]

I bought a new 84" rhino a couple of years ago. Price was $1800 but traded in a 72" rhino for $1200. (Bought the used 72" rhino on an auction for $700 the year earlier but didn't like the side discharge). When talking to the dealer about the trade in on my 72" rhino mower, he said it would be $600. I said, I was hoping for a little higher. He gave me a puzzled look and said "You want to pay more?" Then I realized he was telling me I would have to pay $600 difference with the trade in. I stammered a bit and then told he I misunderstood what he said. I promptly agreed to deal!

From what I have heard, I believe a new 84" rhino will be considerably higher. My 84" rhino was the welded deck model. The latest models use a pressed deck. I prefer welded decks over pressed decks but otherwise they look about the same.

I would definitely recommend a rear discharge deck, especially in the larger decks. The dispersal of the clippings is much better with my 84" rear discharge than my prior 72" side discharge.

I also have a 90" bobcat mower from the front of my TC. It mows similar to the 84" Rhino but easier to manuever because I don't have to look back.

 

[Nightrain1]

A finish mower in the 84 to 90 inch range will run some big bucks. The Land Pride I checked out was 5k +.

 

[Builder]

First Choice GM35-84. If you're anywhere near me, I've got one you can test drive. I think they're still retailing under $2000. Used obviously depends upon condition, but I'd guess decent ones could go upwards from $1200

//greg//

Got a link to the GM35-84? Chinese?

 

[greg_g]

Got a link to the GM35-84? Chinese?

Nope, made in USA, far as I know. See First Choice Equipment

//greg//

 

[RickB]

A finish mower in the 84 to 90 inch range will run some big bucks. The Land Pride I checked out was 5k +.

The Woods RM990 is an excellent finish mower as well (90"). Not for the faint of wallet though.

 

[Builder]

Nope, made in USA, far as I know. See First Choice Equipment

//greg//

Thanks for the link. I'm interested in the 84" deck size. I either need a finish mower that can handle thick, taller grass or a multi spindle bush hog.
I'm kinda stuck between a tough finish mower or a light bush hog, but don't want anything cheap quality or crazy expensive.

 

[greg_g]

I either need a finish mower that can handle thick, taller grass or a multi spindle bush hog.

If it helps, the only thing I use my GM35-84 for is pasture maintenance. I rotate sheep between/among paddocks every 20 days, and mow down the rough stuff they left behind. I also use it to top brome sage when seed heads start emerging in late August. The disadvantage is that the highest setting is 4.5 inches. With a rotary cutter you can leave a good six inches behind - some even eight inches.

//greg//

 

[xlr82v2]

Thanks for the link. I'm interested in the 84" deck size. I either need a finish mower that can handle thick, taller grass or a multi spindle bush hog.
I'm kinda stuck between a tough finish mower or a light bush hog, but don't want anything cheap quality or crazy expensive.

Builder,

You should definitely check out the Woods RM990 then... I believe it is exactly what you're looking for... only 6" wider. But like the other guys have said... not for the faint of wallet! John Deere has the same mower in their Frontier lineup... but I don't remember the model number... but you can find it easily... it's the exact same mower in green paint.

 

[Builder]

Builder,

You should definitely check out the Woods RM990 then... I believe it is exactly what you're looking for... only 6" wider. But like the other guys have said... not for the faint of wallet! John Deere has the same mower in their Frontier lineup... but I don't remember the model number... but you can find it easily... it's the exact same mower in green paint.

I checked out the woods mower. I can't afford that kind of quality. Also looking at B/H Squealer SQ84T twin spindle

 

[xlr82v2]

I checked out the woods mower. I can't afford that kind of quality. Also looking at B/H Squealer SQ84T twin spindle

That's the same reason why I don't have one.

 

[Tritonman]

A new buhler/farm king is 2000 dollars around here for an 84 incher, I just found one comeing up at an auction sale so am going to try to get that. Do you guys have much problems with scalping on a large mower like that.

 

[xlr82v2]

Right now I'm running a 6' King Kutter RFM, and I have scalping problems with it. But, there are little "tricks" you can learn to minimize the scalping.

I would think that the wider the mower, the more problems you will have with scalping, if your ground is not pool table flat... it's just simple physics... or maybe it's simple geometry........

 

[QRTRHRS]

Right now I'm running a 6' King Kutter RFM, and I have scalping problems with it. But, there are little "tricks" you can learn to minimize the scalping.

I would think that the wider the mower, the more problems you will have with scalping, if your ground is not pool table flat... it's just simple physics... or maybe it's simple geometry........

I found that out the hard way by going with a ten foot bush hog type of mower that I bought for pasture maintenance. No way that I can keep up with it by trying to adjust the height while I am using it. Just way to much hard to see mower deck.

When I downsized to a smaller acrerage property, I sold both my six foot and my fifteen batwing mowers to my neighbor rather than move them. Dumb!

 

[Lyrch75]

The RM990 is a great mower, definately not perfect, but a great mower.

If you are not in a great big hurry, try and find a used unit they hold their value pretty well, so it won't be super cheap but definately a tough unit to beat.

If you find a unsed unit to look at, a coupl ethings to look for. Check the tensioner, they will sometimes sieze up. While checking the tensioner, pull the belt and check the bearings on the spindles, too many folks run these into the ground and do not lube them enough and they get whipped. Check the bolts that hold the blade pivot pins in place, too many have never seen a bit of never sieze and they will rust in place.

Some of that is just commonsense, but the blade bolts are a unique and evil PITA when they get rusted in place. Had to weld up a brace to keep the spindle from rotating and it took all I could do with a 3/4 drive rachet and a 3' cheater bar to break them loose.

 

[have_blue]

I checked out the woods mower. I can't afford that kind of quality. Also looking at B/H Squealer SQ84T twin spindle

Now you're talking!

If you have at least 35 PTO HP, I think that's the way to go. The twin spindle Bush Hogs need way less maintenance, and are way more rugged than a RFM. They'll shred 1-1/2" saplings, cut weeds, (with sharp blades), and cut grass nearly as smoothly as a RFM.

 

[Builder]

Now you're talking!

If you have at least 35 PTO HP, I think that's the way to go. The twin spindle Bush Hogs need way less maintenance, and are way more rugged than a RFM. They'll shred 1-1/2" saplings, cut weeds, (with sharp blades), and cut grass nearly as smoothly as a RFM.

That's what I'm leaning towards doing. $2,800 bucks pretty decent cut. Nice thing is you can do some neighbor's pastures and make a few $$ too.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I can attest to the quality of the Woods Premium Line but they are pricey. My little old 6' PRD 7200 was north of 2 Grand three years ago. I wanted a 990 but did not have the tractor or funds. What are they running now? I guess around $3500 to $4000?

 

[PSDStu]

I can attest to the quality of the Woods Premium Line but they are pricey. My little old 6' PRD 7200 was north of 2 Grand three years ago. I wanted a 990 but did not have the tractor or funds. What are they running now? I guess around $3500 to $4000?

I paid $4200 for my 990 this Spring...expensive yes.....but worth it for the amount of mowing I have to do.

Stu