Bushog what brand?

JoeinTX · May 10, 2005

No argument from me, Cabinholler. It sounds like you and "Soundguy" may be the two sources of "off-brand" shredder info on this board right now.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Honestly, I understand that the Woods/Bush Hog/Rhino models of this world are good machines. But, when I look at the light duty Bush Hog and see that it's rather flimsy looking compared to the equivalent off brand...........I just cant buy the "get a Bush Hog regardless because they are the best.." line.
They, like many others, have a good name and they've largely earned it. But, this doens't make them better at every item versus the lesser known competition. Heck, not too long ago I had someone tell me to stear clear of Bush Hog and Rhino because of the "Chinese gear boxes" that they use. Not sure of this, but one more opinion in the crowd.

I don't know if anyone makes a truly bad piece of equipment but I do know that a lot of people misuse or abuse their equipment, expect miracles, and then criticize when their unreal expecations aren't met.

NewHollandOwner · May 10, 2005

Wow, Struck a nerve here I guess. I suppose there are still some Yugo owners out there raving about their car too?
My point was that the Howse units that (I) have seen are crap. Now, they may have been the absolute economy model mower for that line for all I know. Next, KK: Have you seen the rest of thier line of Implements? they are made with about 25% less steel than almost any other brand?? My Bush Hog weighs 905 lbs. I'm pretty sure they didn't strap lead weights under it somewhere, so it MUST simply be a heavier, better built deck?? These are not 21" push mowers, they are supposed to be made to cut saplings and thick brush. I just can't imagine that KK or Howse is selling a "better" cutter for 35%+ less money without actually giving the consumer "less".
To each his own. Kinda like Kleenex, brand association; If these off brand mowers were so great, people would know them by name i.e: the name of the Thread "Bush Hog", what brand. I think he named it right in the first place.

froggy · May 10, 2005

The Alamo group includes the Alamo Industrial, Alamo SMC, Fuerst, Rhino, Schlute and Tiger divisions.

Soundguy · May 10, 2005

( I am not going to pay $5,000.00 or more for a 8 foot pull type poplar brand rotary cutter to cut grass fields on my farm )

Ditto. I got my howse HD10C for about half price or less of other more popular brands. The next cheapest unit was an off brand as well, and it was in the 4+K range.

If your 8' is like my 10', then you will be pleased. mine came with a 120hp center box, and 2 80hp side boxes.. hooked up with flex couplings, and came with a slip clutch.

Byt he tiome I bought my tractor.. I simply couldn't afford a name brand expensive mower.. howse fit in nicely..

Soundguy

Soundguy · May 10, 2005

( Yugo owners out there raving about their car too? )

I worked on one of those for a friend once.. wasn't super impressed...

( Now, they may have been the absolute economy model mower for that line for all I know. Next, KK: Have you seen the rest of thier line of Implements? they are made with about 25% less steel than almost any other brand?? My Bush Hog weighs 905 lbs )

\As stated.. Both howse and KK have different lines. I know howse has economy, medium, medium heavy, and HD.

All i can tell you is I bought a brand new HD 10' mower for 2500$ You simply can't touch that with any other new model/brand that I know of. So far.. it has made mulch of everything I've run over.. no leaks or breaks.. even came with a slip clutch. I did get mine at a discount as I bought from a volume dealer and assembled it myself. ( deck was assembled with blades and gear boxes.. I had to assemble braces, a-frame, tail wheels, and wheel rocker assembly. ) That saved me a couple hundred bucks..

As mentioned.. to date, I've mowed up to 3" trees down.. the last victom being a sweet gum.. 15' tall..

Frame supports and deck cross runners are 1/2 inch and 3/8" material. Decking is 1/4 or better.. doesn't bow AT ALL when I walk across the deck... might be 5/16?

Has a 3/16 etal guard covering the gear boxes, and torque limiter, and a nice HD pto shaft... All in all it was set up nice. Weighed in at 2000 pounds

I have seen some of the KK pro line equipment.. it is much heavier than the economy line.. costs a good bit more as well.

I agree with the seniments of some of the others. i simply cannot imagine what people are doing to their rotary cutters to tear them up so bad, so fast.. then gripe about them being cheap!

For heavens sake.. I hit a %$# car rim buried in the sand on a buddies property.. I thought the sky was falling!!! I've hit burried timbers, and 3' around dirt mounds hiddem in the sand.. planed them off nicely... rocks.. etc..

To do the damage that some people are.. I can only guess that they back in full speed into a tree line, and then mow down the side of a hill in a dense forest hanging trees ont he sides..e tc.

Looks ike quite a few people have posted in about the longevity of their 'junk' mowers. maybee.. just maybee.. they aren't so bad after all?? Maybee it is the user?

I remember a post a while back about a fellow that would tear up a tractor after a few hours.. bend loader ram cylinders.. break tractor in half.. even broke a dozer... sounds like an operator that wasn't being careful... My guess is that some of the damage we hear about on these 'junk' mowers is from demolition derby style operators

What's the saying about rice and chinese people?? Oh yeah.. 4 million people can't be wrong.... right?

Soundguy

KubotaSteve · May 10, 2005

He was asking about a decent rotary cutter. Most of the time price has a bearing as to the type of equipment I buy as well as how much I plan on using it. If he's not going to be using it everyday, I don't think you need to go top of the line. That would be like someone asking what type of car to get and you instantly refer them to the top of the line Mercedes or BMW when all they need is a commuter car. I can buy two of the cheap rotary cutters and a chain saw for the larger stuff and still save money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. If he was in business like Gatorboy's dad, that is a different story as he is depending on the equipment for his livelihood.

Indydirtfarmer · May 10, 2005

( The Alamo group includes the Alamo Industrial, Alamo SMC, Fuerst, Rhino, Schlute and Tiger divisions. )

YEP! I know that.... I've owned a few Alamo and/or Shulte mowers, and rent a Tiger "bank mower" from time to time.

Bullet67 · May 12, 2005

Thanks guys.
Since the land I'm buying is cleared with NO trees and only 5 acres I may look in to a finishing mower and rent a Rotary Cutter for the first time. I think if I don't let it get out of hand I will be OK. Plus I will be able to use the finishing mower after the house is built and the grass needs mowing.