Finish mowers

valuedcustomer · Mar 1, 2011

Does anyone recognize this finish mower? Is it a decent brand?

5' Finishing Mower --Excellent

RoyJackson · Mar 2, 2011

For the price it's fine. Finish mowers aren't cheap at all.
I've never heard of Estate King implements though (although it seems somebody posted something about them on TBN a while back)...couldn't even find a listing on Google. That makes me suspect it's a captive import, probably sold through Northern Tool or a place like Home Depot (those are guesses though).

Bird · Mar 2, 2011

I don't KNOW what it is, but am just guessing that it's a King Kutter mower. If so, they're more of a budget mower; not a high end mower. However, that doesn't mean they aren't good equipment and that ad appears to me to be a real bargain.

greg_g · Mar 2, 2011

Sorry, but I don't believe $1699 new. Perhaps $699 though. That just looks like a cheap big box/farm store light duty mower to me. Might even be Chinese. Stamped sheet metal, square corners, bolt-together construction, skinny tires, undersized rear discharge chute. Even the name looks like it went on with a spray can and a stencil. I'm guessing it's a Chinese clone of a cheap Italian style. Like this one.

If I was in the market for a 5' finish mower, I'd pass on that one - at any price.

//greg//

hilltopper238 · Mar 2, 2011

This looks a lot like my 5' Farm King by Buhler. The only differance I can see is the color (mine is red) and the name on it. It's my understanding that Buhler Mfg. builds equipment for many retailers, thus the color and name differance. Mine is 4Ga. steel deck and a much better design and quality than the King Kutter I used to have.

bp fick · Mar 2, 2011

There were so many Chinese knock offs of KK made and sold and that one has that look. I bought one for dirt cheap off Craigs, knowing that'd I'd re-sell it in the May mower fever season. Made $100 bucks on it. They typically sold new, and still do, for under $700.

It was noisy and I didn't trust the bearings or belts for long service. Unless someone can identify that as a re-branded US make, I'd steer clear.

hawkeye08 · Mar 2, 2011

Ask the seller where it was purchased. Then call and find out about new price, parts available, etc.

Diamondpilot · Mar 2, 2011

Those are American Made Farm Star Mowers. I am not sure how used a stencil to put Estate King on the back but its not a bad mower. My mechanic has one. He paid $1200 for a 6' version. They are basically a copy of the tried and true Caroni. I would not pay more than $500 for it.

FARM STAR Equipment Homepage

FARM STAR Finishing Mowers

Chris

Villengineer · Mar 2, 2011

I've had one that is painted red and was sold under the "International" brand for about 5 years. They were also sold under the Worksaver, and as mentioned before, Farm Star brands. They are not made by or as nice as Buhler/Farm King. They are not anything like the KKs. Also, if they are made in the US, they should really stop putting the "made in China" labels on them. I paid about the same money for mine new when it was part of a liquidation of a dealership. Pro's: cheap, rear discharge, suprisingly relatively heavy construction, parts are attainable, and it does cut the grass. Con's: LOUD, the wheel yokes are prone to breaking, the paint is terrible, and the pivot point/height adjustment for the guage wheels is messy at best. The cut isn't the best and the difference is noticable if your neighbors' have pricey ztr's. I guess if you can't do any of your own repairs, stay away, but if you don't mind the cut and a few headaches over the years, they are relatively cheap and I would rank them higher than a KK. Everybody I know who has owned a KK, hated it.