Bush Hog 286 clean used 3 pt. shredder 6' (whats it worth ??)

pharmvet · Jul 31, 2012

A buddy of mine offered me his clean used 286 Bush Hog shredder for $1250. It has front and rear chains. What is your opinion of that price? thanks

ENG18LT · Jul 31, 2012

I bought same one two years ago for 1300. It didn't have chains and after I got it to the property discovered it need new stump jumper, 500.00. I would say go for it if it is in good shape and works. Ask to see it cut.

rbargeron · Aug 1, 2012

The 286 is a good medium-duty rotary, well made and strong. But rotary cutters can sometimes have a hard life.

A quick check you can do without it running is to rotate one of the blades to where you can mark or measure the height of its cutting edge - then rotate the other blade around to the same position and see if the blades are at the same height. If they are vertically off more than about 1/4" then something is bent and needs straightening to get a good cut. With a bent stump jumper the blades can be off 1" or more. While you are under there check all around the spindle for any evidence of oil leaking out of the gearbox. If it's dry, take out the fill plug and check to make sure there's oil in it. If it all checks out, buy it. A comparable new one is $2k or more.

Kyle_in_Tex · Aug 1, 2012

rbargeron said:
The 286 is a good medium-duty rotary, well made and strong. But rotary cutters can sometimes have a hard life.

A quick check you can do without it running is to rotate one of the blades to where you can mark or measure the height of its cutting edge - then rotate the other blade around to the same position and see if the blades are at the same height. If they are vertically off more than about 1/4" then something is bent and needs straightening to get a good cut. With a bent stump jumper the blades can be off 1" or more. While you are under there check all around the spindle for any evidence of oil leaking out of the gearbox. If it's dry, take out the fill plug and check to make sure there's oil in it. If it all checks out, buy it. A comparable new one is $2k or more.

Yes, check each blade's height. And that is a good price.