More RFM Questions

[AndyM]

Now that I'm starting to seriously look at finish mowers, there seems to be a vast variation in price--

The absolute cheapest of course is the Farm Pro model from Homier's for $599. TSC has the King Kutter for $1099, Corriher's for $1100, and I've looked at Land Pride and Woods models for $1250 and $1600, respectively.

I know I'm dumb in this subject, but to me a mower looks like a mower no matter what color it is. What are the major differences between all of these? Are there functional differences, or are you just paying for improvements in quality and for name brand recognition?

Which one would be the best VALUE as far as quality vs. price? I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I don't want a piece of junk either.

Thanks again in advance...

 

[shady1701]

I've seen alot of differences in the frame, blade holder, gearbox and the general frame assembly upfront.. mine is a maschino i paid $1025.. if i had to do over i'd buy a woods or a landpride for say $200-400 more but parts, design and aftermarket are key to me.. they have rollers,chains,and different types of blades like hi-lift, mulching and special attachments to do that..

but ~$1500 is about the breaking point for me on a 6' finisher but in saying that there so light duty the only problem i could see is having solid tires and the shock load of hitting the ground and twisting when going over steep hills mine binds up and makes some wild sounds...

 

[chrisjbell]

<font color="blue"> Now that I'm starting to seriously look at finish mowers, there seems to be a vast variation in price--

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Which one would be the best VALUE as far as quality vs. price? I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I don't want a piece of junk either.

</font>

Well, there is a big range in price and quality. Determining the best value is a tough call and can be pretty hard to figure out. The cheaper ones are probably not a bargain in the long run, although I'm sure there are folks out there that have some of the less expensive models that are quite happy with them.

But I'd say (for what it is worth - my advice is free and should be vauled as such /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) that you should expect to pay about $1K for a good RFM. Maybe more - good implements areen't cheap if they are built well. I think you'd be being penny wise and pound foolish to buy a low end implement unless you are only looking to get a few years of service or are not planning on using it much.

Just my thoughts... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

With ANY implement consider this question: How much will you actually use it?

The more you use it, the higher quality you should look for in the implement. But you can over do the quality issue if you buy someting to well built for your application.

So that said, a mower deck is often the most used thing many of us actually use. And priced range pretty far and wide. IF you are going to do a lot of mowing, look for a well built deck with a heavily built A-frame. Look for a front roller to minimize scalping. Make sure the roller and wheel attachments are very solid. The wheels should be fairly large and they should be easily adjustable, but at the same time the adjustments should lock in solidly. Listen to the gear box and make sure it sounds smooth/quiet under load. The blades spinning should make more noise than the gear box does! If you use a quick hitch on your tractor, make sure the deck is compatible - some are not.

I would say that you can stay on the high side of the middle of the overall price range and get a QUALITY unit that will last for many years without giving you a lick of problems.

 

[fivestring]

I paid $1100.00 for my 5' First Choice RFM at Corriher.
I am very well pleased.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Andy,
My experience is prices vary greatly along with quality, not always relative to one another.

I have owned Woods, Bush Hog, & now First Choice.

After doing my research, I went to my Kubota dealer, who had already quoted me a Bush Hog and who sold me my last bush hog RFM, gave him the phone # & man's name to call for a quote on a 7' First Choice. My dealer told me he would get the First Choice for me, then sell me another Bush Hog 2 or 3 years later.

I purchased the 7" First Choice along with 3 extra sets of blades, 1 belt set, freight to me & I put it together for less than $1,475.00

Although I consider Woods & Bush Hog to be quality equipment, my opinion is First Choice puts them to shame.
It is the smoothist running mower I have had so far. Is quieter than the Bush Hog gear box drive, but not as quiet as the belt drive Woods. I can not hear it over the tractor noise in the cab, so it is a non issue. I have to look for grass coming out the back or look for the pto shield tension on the chains to know if the pto is engaged. The blades are much heavier & I do not expect to ever have to buy another blade. I have not bent a blade or bent a caster so far, which I did on regular basis on the others. I do expect to wear out the wheels.

I never wore out the other RFM's I had (other than the casters & wheels), just wanted new features.

I expect this mower may last me through my grass cutting days, which I hope is many more years.

Sorry for the long post. Just my opinion, higher price does not always make it the best.