Billy Goat

[Rowski]

I've been following the sickle bar mower post. Wanted to share this info about brush cutters. I bought this Billy Goat brush cutter last year. It is self propelled and is almost impossible to get stuck. It does not take the place of a brush hog but it will get into places a hog won't. Does anybody else have one of these.
http://www.billygoat.com/outback.html

Derek

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Rowski on 8/7/00 10:10 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[John Weaver]

Yes, I have had one for about 3 years. It is an 8 HP machine with about 24 inch cut. Does this sound like yours? It is a well built machine and will cut anything it can get over. Paid $900. for it used (almost new) from a rental place. Would not want to be without it for tight places. John.

 

[Rowski]

John,

Yes it's like mine. Bought it new. 8hp briggs. I should have went for the 11hp honda. I have stalled a few times in real heavy grasses. I looked at a newer one earlier in the summer. They have adjustable skid shoe now so you can control the cut height. They also make a high lift blade for it now so it can cut matted down grass better and will chop up the grass. Have you had any trouble with yours yet? None hear. Very well built little machine.

Derek

 

[John Weaver]

The only problem I have had is with the leaver that engages the blade. Billy Goat supplied on that was easier to hold down at no charge. I might want to look into the hihg lift blade. Can it be retrofitted to the existing machines? John. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Rowski]

John,

That would be nice for the blade handle. I use a cable tie (in open areas only) loosely on the handle and just slide it over the blade engage lever. On the high lift blade I would think it just bolts on like the original blade. But I didn't ask. If I get one this fall I'll let you know. I will look into the handle. Did you go direct to Billy Goat or your dealer? Thanks for the help. Funny how it works, I posted this hoping it would help someone but it has helped me out instead!

Derek

 

[jgh]

8/9

Theros Equipment, my New Holland dealer in Fredericksburg, VA, stocks the Billy Goats. My wife wants one big time. Salesman there quotes the 8 hp at $1396, and $1837 for the Honda powered 11 hp. BG also mentions a 10.5 hp Briggs & Stratton. How do these prices compare?

How does the mulching action work? We are still up in the air about buying one /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

Jim

 

[gordon]

I've got a mower that is very similiar to the Billy Goat. Its a Roots mower and I've had it for years has given me alot of hard run hours with only minor problems. Very well built has a 8hp briggs and a single blade belt driven will go through a two inch tree without thinking twice.

Since its an older mower it has no safty features the blade is open with just a small guard. I only run this when there are no people around and no glass windows of any sort. It will fling a rock out the side pretty far. I got winged once when I was a kid with this mower thats how old it is. But like any piece of quality equipment if you keep up basic maintance it will last for years.

Gordon

 

[Rowski]

jgh,

I payed $1800 with the briggs 8hp. This was was a couple of years ago and the dealer had only one left so he got top dollar. I would go for the Honda engine. More power and a little more quiet. In tall grass the 8hp stalls on me at times. I'd say your prices are VERY reasonable. I don't know about the high lift blades. Don't have one yet. I'm wondering how the hi lift blades work on brush. The stock blade is very strong. I have hit a rocks the stalled the machine and hardly a nick on the blade. I will say that on very uneven ground and/or hilly terran it is a real work out! Pretty amazing where this thing can go and what it can cut! Hope this helps.

Derek

 

[MarkV]

Do you guys use these units on steep hill sides or ditch sides? Does it have the drive power and traction to walk you up hills? We have a bunch of that kind of thing and there is no way a tractor is getting on it. How does it work on a side slopes?

 

[Rowski]

Markv,

This thing will drag you up the hill if you hang on /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. Sideways on a hill the machine wants to follow gravity. You have to help it a little but the help it needs depends on how steep. If you can find a rental place rent one for the weekend and see.

Derek