Most reliable/durable 3pt finish/grooming mower

[John0829]

I would highly recommend a LandPride, I bought a 1 year old AT2572 back in the 90's from a man upgrading to a rear discharge. I have worked that mower to death and it still looks good, cuts good and the only thing I have replaced on it is the OEM belt 2 years ago. I am about to purchase new blades for it as the 2 sets that came with it are worn almost razor sharp on the ends above the cutting edge. I have spent more on grease than parts on the mower (greased after each use), other than paint and one little dent from me being a idiot it is still as solid as it was new.

 

[crashz]

My 6ft Landpride (FRD1872?) is 3 years old and cuts very nice. Built very well. I cut my lawn and a field with it. Great cutter.

 

[todd92]

Bought a used Landpride FDR2584 a few months age. Built solid, cuts perfect. Do not get a side discharge, the rear discharge, especially with the venturi deck leaves a manicured look. I'm going to get rid of the 6 ft rotary cutter, which is what was here. It is ill suited for cutting grass, which is all we have, orchards and pastures.

 

[rgr33]

I have a Land Pride 60 inch mower that I bought used from a nursery several years ago, it has an id plate on it stamped 2004.

I grease the heck out of it, and use it at least once a week in my vineyard, so far it has held up well, requiring only new blades 4 years ago

 

[coobie]

I am pretty sure there are different variations of woods,landpride,bushhog and others.You get what you pay for IMHO go with the lower price models in what manufactures I have mentioned you will get just what you payed for.Go with higher end models $$ they should last quite a long time.

 

[Smokeydog]

I had many mowers. Bought a Woods RD7200 in 1999. Still going strong with heavy use and abuse.
Pro: blade spindles, belt tension and wear, two bolt blades, gator blades, deck, rear chain guard.
Con: gauge wheel spindles. With our hilly terrain and many obstacles while using a high traction, sharp turning 4x4 tractor will bend any makers spindles. Made my own using 3500# trailer axle stubs for less than OEM replacements. Saves lots of wear and tear on the wheels.

If it broke in half today I would buy another. Move my axle stub wheels to the new mower.

 

[old and tired]

...Last on my list would be Bush Hog HDTH series...

This is what I have and would highly recommend it, just curious why it would be last on your list? It's a tank and never had a problem other than the wheels wearing out.

 

[Darryle]

What are y'alls opinion of the Caroni brand? Neighbor has one that his FIL bought new and this thing is heavy. He said he had to buy front weights for his little Ford 1710 tractor when he inherited it 20yrs ago.

One thing I have noticed, there are various tiers of every brand, and there are a lot of brands, and these tiers really don't improve the deck until you get real close to the top. The lower tiers just seem to add bells and whistles for a couple of $100 but make a several $100 jumps to the top tier.

I have noticed that some use 2 belts with no idlers, some use 1 belt with an idler, any preference to design. I am guessing that the single belt idler system is easier to change out?

I have noticed that remote lubrication points are available as an option on some and standard on others?

Preference on pins versus spacer height adjustment? The spacer system seems to me to have a stronger spindle design because it lacks the thru hole, correct?

I tried to find a JD/Frontier GM30xx series to see if the deck was any better than the GM10xx series I looked at with the cracked deck. After looking at the brochure, the GM10xx series has a 3yr warranty and 6yr gearbox, whereas the heavier GM30xx has a 1yr/3yr warranty, I am guessing commercial product?

There is just not a lot dealers with finish mowers locally, so I am going to have to order whatever I decide on. I want to make a decision I will not regret later.

I have looked at several used mowers and found that the majority have issues with blade spindles or gauge wheels/spindles from lack of routine lubrication.

Thanks for all your advice. The further I get into this, the more I realize I didn't know about this implement.

 

[Diggin It]

In this thread, I talk about a Befco C50 RD7

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/417372-reclaiming-long-abandoned-rotary-cutters.html

While the deck had some surface rust and fairly deep pitting, nothing came even close to being all the way through. The deck alone is a couple of hundred pounds with nothing else mounted. This one is a 7 foot rear discharge, but they also make 5 and 6 foot widths.

Cyclone C50 (20-50 HP tractors)

And for smaller tractors, they make a 4 foot version:

Cyclone C30 (16-30 HP tractors)

"Since 1980 BEFCO has developed, tested, manufactured and improved lawn and ground care attachments right here in North Carolina."

I have noticed that some use 2 belts with no idlers, some use 1 belt with an idler, any preference to design. I am guessing that the single belt idler system is easier to change out?

This one has two belts, no idler. Loosen four bolts holding the gearbox down, loosen the tension adjuster bolt, slide the gearbox forward and the belts slip off. No high tension springs to deal with and no complex belt routing.

In the same thread linked above, I also talk about another unit currently available from Northern Tool. It may not be as solid, but would likely do fine in homeowner use.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have had a C50 RD7 Befco mower since about 2002. Very well built, and easily serviced. Lately I only use it to cut 300 yards of stream bank by backing it over the edge. It's a very time consuming job, but hopefully I will soon get a ditch flail mower

Anyway, other than a bad gearbox seal in the first year (warranty), it has been problem free.