bush hog???????

mikim · Aug 18, 2005

When I was buying I narrowed my choice down to the BH286 and the Woods BB600 ... both were very good and I had a hard time deciding which way to go. One of my major factors was the construction of the deck. I had an old Rhino that the top was rusted to the point of having holes through ... I liked the way the 2 I mention were designed to not let water sit on 'em and they were both heavy steel. I ended up with the woods only because I bought it with the purchase of my tractor and woods is what the dealer I bought from sold and he gave me a good price on it. I'm sure the 286 would have worked just as well - but this woods is killer! --

40_acre_mule · Aug 18, 2005

I just recently bought a new bushog. Previously, I had a Big Bee light duty ($600). After 6 years, the top deck was rusting through; the sides were bent and cracking, the top brace had to be rewelded, and the wheel mount pivot shaft was getting worn. I have 6 different dealers in my area, so I was able to inspect in person the following...
Bushog Squealer, John Deere, Kodiak, King Kutter, Gator, Big Bee and Land Pride, and two others (can't recall the brand).
Prices ran from $469 to $2100. Anything under $900 seemed to be made from much thinner metal and under $600 lacked decent bracing. The Kodiak and the Gator were the cheapest and looked it. The John Deere and the Bushog were the most expensive. In terms of sturdiness, the JD, Bushog, and Land Pride seemed about equal and best of the bunch.
I chose the Land Pride for the following reasons...
1. Price for the quality ($1350)
2. Had a bigger gear box than all others. (I don't know if what's inside is any better, but the box looks much more substantial).
3. Seemed as sturdy or better than JD and BH.
4. The under-rails appeared thicker.
5. It only weighs 711 lbs.
6. I already have a Land Pride finishing mower that has served well for several years without trouble.
Your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

have_blue · Aug 18, 2005

( IMHO -You could purchase a Rhino or Brown and be equally, if not more satisfied with quality, and still have $ in you pocket. )

I don't think usage was ever mentioned.

If cutting only knee-high grass 4-5 times a year and kept clean, even an el-cheapo will probably perform well and last a lifetime. If used commercially, for brush cutting, or on unfamiliar ground with hidden obstacles, a good tough brand would be a must. Extra toughness usually comes at a premium, as we all know.

DmansPadge · Aug 18, 2005

I have a Modern hog and I love it. With the galvanized deck... rust is a non-issue.

SonnieP · Aug 19, 2005

( I just recently bought a new bushog. Previously, I had a Big Bee light duty ($600). After 6 years, the top deck was rusting through; the sides were bent and cracking, the top brace had to be rewelded, and the wheel mount pivot shaft was getting worn. I have 6 different dealers in my area, so I was able to inspect in person the following...
Bushog Squealer, John Deere, Kodiak, King Kutter, Gator, Big Bee and Land Pride, and two others (can't recall the brand).
Prices ran from $469 to $2100. Anything under $900 seemed to be made from much thinner metal and under $600 lacked decent bracing. The Kodiak and the Gator were the cheapest and looked it. The John Deere and the Bushog were the most expensive. In terms of sturdiness, the JD, Bushog, and Land Pride seemed about equal and best of the bunch.
I chose the Land Pride for the following reasons...
1. Price for the quality ($1350)
2. Had a bigger gear box than all others. (I don't know if what's inside is any better, but the box looks much more substantial).
3. Seemed as sturdy or better than JD and BH.
4. The under-rails appeared thicker.
5. It only weighs 711 lbs.
6. I already have a Land Pride finishing mower that has served well for several years without trouble.
Your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

I saw a Landpride RCR 6' model today at Capital Tractor in Montgomery, AL. when I picked up my box blade. I think this is their heavy duty model... I know it was extremely expensive. I was impressed although I believe it was only 10 gauge steel and for that price I'd rather see 7 gauge.

Someone must undoubtedly be manufacturing two different Kodiaks out there because the Kodiak 6' model I saw at Pound Tractor in Florala, AL. was built every bit as good or better than that Landpride I saw today and the Kodiak is a lot less expensive. Kodiak is one of the few that use 7 gauge steel on their HD cutters and it's one of the heaviest available with a fairly nice size gear box too. They use thicker sides than many others and have excellent bracing. If he'd had a 7' model in stock I would have bought one... but he didn't and wasn't going to be ordering anymore for a while (has to order so many to make it worth the shipping cost). I could have drove 5-6 hours to pick one up but I opted to go for the little better built Brown that was much closer to me, although a little more expensive too.

Larstan · Aug 19, 2005

I have a Howse 60 inch, paid a little under 600 for it. No complaints, I have thrashed it pretty good. I have 52 acres with a very diverse landscape, rolling hills,creek,wetland and a ton of mole hills. I have knocked down a stand of 4" saplings and every size below that, hit rocks and cut 5' tall fields of weeds and grass. Changed the gear oil as soon as I brought it home, greased the drive shaft and it has not given me a single problem. Thats my experience so I have no problem with Howse implements, also have Howse PHD and have been using it to dig the pier foundations for my barn, same story..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

1bush2hog · Aug 19, 2005

I don't think usage was ever mentioned.


Maybe usage wasn't mentioned, however 'BH286', as well as 'medium duty', was mentioned. Thus the basis for my comments.

I was just providing personal feedback on several other similar models I was familiar with, but certainly not discounting others I did not mention.