MX-6 vs WOODS BB-72

[Rmd8136]

Getting ready to purchase 1st tractor, 5065e, and also a bush hog. I like the MX-6 but due to the double hull design I can't see the main structural elements that comprise the frame. The WOODS model has the 3x3 tube steel visible thru the top deck. Does anyone know if the MX-6 is built as well as the WOODs model? The MX-6 is smooth on top which looks good and prevents water standing. I just want to know if the main frame members are as stout?

 

[bucktaker]

I think there have been lots of reported problems with the mx 6 gear boxes are made in china and have not held up well

 

[Gator6x4]

I remember reading on Tractorbynet about gear box failures, but I thought it was gear boxes that were made in Spain that were failing. Deere currently offers a five year warranty on the China gear boxes, unless they have changed that also.

 

[bilrus61]

The Woods gearbox is made in China also. Every gearbox on every cutter currently in the USA comes from China as far as I can tell. Trying to get a USA made gearbox these days is like trying to find a USA made smartphone or TV (cue the guy with the GE tv that swears its made in USA).

The Spainish gearbox was only rated to 55 horsepower. So they made a mower that needed a 55HP tractor or less but could still lift and ballast and handle a 1100 pound cutter??!!?

The current MX6 mowers have a 75 HP gearbox so thats much heavier duty. As far as the Woods goes I'm interested in their quick blade change but have my doubts that it will hold up like the bolted on blades. Woods has a 6 year warrrenty on the gearboxes and a ten year rust warrenty on their paint jobs. Both stems from past issues they have had with gearboxes and paintjobs!!

Best way to tell how "stout" a mower is is to check how big of stuff its rated to mow. Two, three or even four inch rated mowers are out there and priced accordingly. The MX 6 is rated for 2". If the Wood's is rated for 3 I would say it is a stronger mower. Good luck.

 

[dusty3030]

I think there have been lots of reported problems with the mx 6 gear boxes are made in china and have not held up well

That is not true.
The new MX 6 is made in Mexico with a China gearbox and has a 5 year warranty. It has not had any reported problems I have ever seen.

The older MX 6 made here with a Spain made gearbox is the one that has had all the problems of the broken clean in two output shaft. Gearboxes themselves don't fail, the output shaft does. You can't buy just the shaft, have to buy whole new box hence the frustration of the older MX 6 owners.

Bottom line, if the gearbox says made in Spain, don't buy it. If the gearbox says China and there is a big ole yellow 5 year warrranty sticker on the deck, it is good to go buy it.

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

I can attest to how solid the woods blade bolts are. My MD172 is over 20 years old and not one problem there. The blades are super easy to take on and off. My keyed slugs are about an inch and a half thick. There is a slot that a retainer goes in and the retainer is held in place with a 5/8" bolt.

I'm looking at getting a larger pull type cutter and having a hard time deciding between the woods and the MX.

 

[Bullseye]

I probably should not throw this answer out there because I usually try to only answer the question asked......
but after looking at those two plus the Bush Hog 296 this spring I came the conclusion that the Bush Hog was a better deal. It has a gearbox rated for around 120 HP and the same metal thicknesses for the same price. I started only wanting a Woods or MX6. I found a used Bush Hog 286 (predecessor to the 296) in great shape and ended up buying it.

 

[Ken]

I can attest to how solid the woods blade bolts are. My MD172 is over 20 years old and not one problem there. The blades are super easy to take on and off. My keyed slugs are about an inch and a half thick. There is a slot that a retainer goes in and the retainer is held in place with a 5/8" bolt.

I'm looking at getting a larger pull type cutter and having a hard time deciding between the woods and the MX.

Maybe read in Attachments forum about MX5 and MX6 gear box problems there is close to 50 comments on gear box output shafts breaking. mine had less than 20 hours on the MX6 mowing 6 inchs high and shaft broke. Warrenty starts Nov. 2010 before this nothing and mine was a China gear box.
Put a Bush hog gear box on the MX6 knife bar is back ordered.
Needing a rotory cutter so today purchased a 286 bush hog cutter and put so far 4 hours of cutting tomorrow maybe 10 hoiurs. Next tractor will not be J.D. a favorite brand for past 50 years.

ken

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

Thanks for the info ont the Bushhog brand. I currently own a grader blade and did have a 7' finish mower by them and they are built well. I'll take another look at them.