Harbor Freight Finish Mower

   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #11  
I had one of these, 5 footer, sold it last year. For 6 hundred bucks , its a pretty good buy. Its not a LandPride ,thats for sure, mine preformed well for the 2 years I used it. Its had some issues though, busted off 2 caster wheels due to bad welds, easy fix though. The paint on the thing came off in sheets around the welds on the deck, and the rubber on the wheels would chip off at the edges. Despite the problems I would buy another one.
 
   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #13  
Does anyone have any experience with this unit? Price is right....

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Good Mornin Ding,
I would be really suspect on that mower for that price. Im thinking its not a very good piece of equipment, based on absolutely no info on my part. I would be more inclined to spend a few hundred more and get a Caroni or similar mower and have some piece of mind that it will last for a number of years ! JMO ! ;)
 
   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #14  
Obviously a Chinese knockoff. Buyer beware. Warning Will Robinson Warning!
 
   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #17  
I have the identical 6' version under the "Howse Import" brand. It's also sold under Northern Tools and Homier brands.

The wheels and tires are junk. If you hit a medium sized dirt clod or crawfish chimney, the caster wheel spindles break off at the weld.

I took the blades off and sharpened them, and while balancing them, I couldn't balance 1 of the 3. It soon became apparent why. The heavy end of the bad blade was around 1/16" thicker than the rest! I had to grind on it for 30 minutes to balance it decently.

I actually like the housing, the pulleys, belt adjustment, and the beefy looking spindles and bearings. I do not like the hitch, as it puts the mower too close to the tractor tires. If you're not careful, you can hit the tractor tires with the mower wheels when lifting it.

The unit is noisy. The gearbox ratio is on the low side, so blade tip speed is too low. That necessitates running your tractor wide open to get an acceptable cut. A 5' Bush Hog finish mower can be run at a lower RPM, and still cuts fine. Overall, the cut quality rates a "D" in my book.

I have replaced the RFM with a 6' Bush Hog Squealer(which mows grass better!), and as soon as I can weld the spindles back on 2 of the wheels, I'm selling it... cheap and with caveats.

I do not recommend this unit unless you are handy with tools and welding, and like to tinker.
 
   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #18  
I have the identical 6' version

Is this what you have. If it is, it is not the same as the Harbor Freight mower that has boxed support to the wheels.

jmf

03182pic.jpg
 
   / Harbor Freight Finish Mower #20  
I'm seeing a boxed axle arm on the Harbor Freight mower. Look at the one nearest the tractor's right rear tire.

jmf
 
 

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