finish mowers

cj7 · Jan 2, 2004

I know it is still winter but, looking to summer. Looking for opinions on the following units.

Used 6' Woods RM360 ($500), New Woods 6' RD72($1750), New King Kutter 6'($1100).

Will be used behind an L2500
I am hoping to eliminate my current garden tractor but am not sure if a rear finish mower will work for me. I do not have any trees but a few banks that I meet my concrete drive at a pretty steep angle. I do not know if the mower will pivot enough to not catch the drive or be too high and leave a high spot of grass. Also the same issue at the crest of the banks to a level area.

RoyJackson · Jan 2, 2004

I've got a similar situation...steep slopes (which I back up and down) leveling off pretty abruptly.
I lengthen my top link as much as possible to let the mower conform to the slopes. It helps if you've an anti-scape roller on the front of the mower.
Down side of setting the top link like this is you have to be careful when you raise the mower to the transport position...the PTO shaft will hit the mower deck. The way I get around that is to just barely raise the front of the mower if I need to transport. If I'm to transport any distance, I shorten the length of the top link which allows the mower to be lifted without hitting the PTO shaft.
The mower should have a bracket with two places to hitch the top link. The bracket should pivot. You need to use the hole(s) that allow most movement.

I've a Befco mower, so can't help you with the Woods brand...sure would look at that used one though.

BobinCols · Jan 2, 2004

RM360-The price seems good if it is decent shape. Parts are still available. They were bad about breaking the main frame upright support for the center link down at the frame of the mower deck. Make sure deck is flat. Mowers can be abused and twisted.
RD7200-My current finish mower of 3 years. Have done nothing but greasing and blade sharpening. One of the better name brand mowers made and cuts very well. Would easily purchase again. They can be usually bought from $1500 to the quoted $1750.. If I were buying now, they should come down from the $1750..
King Cutter-There are many members who have that mower. It does a good job but not in the class of a Woods, Landpride, or Befco.. (my opinion)
Do a search, this has been covered many times.

nomad · Jan 3, 2004

( King Cutter-..finish mower... not in the class of a Woods, Landpride, or Befco.. (my opinion)
)

I guess this isn't your opinion only, but an opinion of majority.

Ps: to this higher class, GM mowers of FC, Caroni, new Midwest finish mowers too should be added, I think?

OhioTC18 · Jan 3, 2004

IF I did not already have a finish mower, I would look for a Midwest first, then an Italian brand such as Simca or Caroni.

sweettractors · Jan 3, 2004

The First Choice 6 ft machine is about as nice a machine as you can find and less money than some of the brands you are looking at--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *First Choice Dealer*

Zork · Jan 3, 2004

Kingkutter says, and I quote: "King Kutter's specially designed hitch allows one side of the mower to raise to a height of up to 16" (15.5 degrees) while the other side remains on the ground. This lets the mower follow the contour of the ground. " Taken from the: kingkutter.com webpage. My brother-in-law has one and has used it for over a year and, to me, it seems pretty well built. Hope this helps, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Franz

nomad · Jan 4, 2004

( Kingkutter says, and I quote: "King Kutter's specially designed hitch allows one side of the mower to raise to a height of up to 16" (15.5 degrees) while the other side remains on the ground. This lets the mower follow the contour of the ground.)

This must be in newer models of KK finish mowers.
But this hitch automatically adjust the height? I didn't understand. There must be a KK knowledgable person out there who can give us more detail?

Zork · Jan 4, 2004

Now I cant say for sure, but I understand it to be built into the framework/ assembly of the mower itself. Most 3pt hitches float but I havent seen one with arms that float independantly of each other allowing for MAJOR tilt/float of implement. I will be taking a closer look myself to make sure since I'll be buying a finish mower as well. If you find out sooner, let me know. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Franz

sweettractors · Jan 4, 2004

specially designed hitch allows one side of the mower to raise to a height of up to 16" (15.5 degrees) while the other side remains on the ground. This lets the mower follow the contour of the ground. 

First Choice has that as a standard feature and in addition the machine can adjusted closer to the tractor or to the back more, by simply pulling a couple pins and sliding the flex hitch arms in or out. This feature is nice to have to position the mower as close to the tractor as possible, so as to keep the front end of the tractor more stable. Of course, it is also important to have a float/flex built in the toplink bracket as the First Choice does--In extremely uneven mowing conditions, a antiscalp roller may be added for a very nominal fee--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977^