Need a heavy duty Brush Hog/Mower that is a good value on price & performance

airbiscuit · Oct 1, 2017

kthompson said:
tangoddess, before you buy a new rough cut mower, are you sure the condition of the mower you already own? The comments on it sounded like it needs some new blades and maybe some repairs but that can be normal in their life. Normally it takes large tools on them and some muscle. If you need to take it to a tractor garage to at least look at it for what is wrong and what it will cost if repairable.

Also you need to consider what you will be cutting when you consider the size of a cutter. Would even recommend you do some watching videos on youtube on repairing a mower and using one. Be safe for a rough cut mower can be dangerous they have the ability to throw a rock, piece of metal or wood many feet with a lot of force. Not something you run with people standing near you.

...the JD mower, model 513 I believe, was not good, it was broken from the blades,

I agree that it might be worthwhile to look at fixing what you have. Why don't you post some pics and a better description of the problems? At best, you might be able to use it. At worst, you might be able to sell it.

Otgaugres · Oct 1, 2017

I've got a Wood's BB720x. It's a beast. Very well built. My previous was a John Deere MX-5...also a nice mower, but much lighter construction than the Woods. Highly recommend.

LD1 · Oct 2, 2017

I wouldnt get too hung up on the "heavy duty" term.

Mowing grasses dont need a "heavy duty" mower. A true heavy duty mower is one designed to mow over 3" and 4" diameter trees all day long and keep on going. Grass, while thick and takes HP to run...is nothing to a rotary cutter.

I wouldnt go light duty either though....while they will work, they just wont last as long. But if you are just mowing grasses and weeds, there aint gonna be an appreciable difference in longevity between a medium duty and heavy duty cutter.

If you plan to mow that 8 acres with any frequency, with that tractor I'd really consider an 8' twin spindle cutter. You have enough tractor for it.

kthompson · Oct 3, 2017

tangoddess, you are getting a good variation on suggestions. Goes to the point with tractors and implements there often is more than one very good option, deciding what is best for yourself in your needs and with your equipment and money is the decision.

Suggestion not to have mower wider than tires is good if you are cutting around trees or fence you want to be sure and not tear up. Using the eight foot mower which is wider is good if you are working in open area and needing to "cut" it and move on. The mower extending past the wheels also give you the ability to cut small brush or trees without having to driver over it with the tractor first saving some wear on the tractor. I would suggest you never want a mower narrower then the outside width of the wheels so you can cut near trees and such. While weight is not always a clear judge on quality it is a good indicator of the thickness of metal or amount of metal in any implement even a tractor.

Back to the cutter you have, if you can find a parts picture for it (JD web site may have it and an users manual) that may help you decide what is broken and then to get price for the parts and labor cost if you need to hire it done. I know nothing about JD mowers.

As was said earlier about "Bush Hog" cutters, was the brand whose name became synonymous with rough cut mowers and they built many great cutters but they as most if not all have more than one grade of cutter today and as was also pointed out everybody does not need the same capacity cutter.

If you or your dad have no experience with a rough cut mower do read a manual, look at youtube videos to see both dangerous and safe ways to use one. They are great tools than can do major damage and be very dangerous is in bad repair or used improperly. If you do not have experience in setting up a rough cut mower do ask for recommendations there. Can help prevent damage to tractor, cutter and people. Also make use of it a joy. Be careful and have fun.

MESSMAKER · Oct 3, 2017

Tangoddess said:
I believe these are the specs of the tractor. It is a New Holland 3930

Drawbar (tested): 38.18 hp [28.5 kW]
PTO (tested): 52.54 hp [39.2 kW]
3 point hitch Rear lift: 3,080 lbs [1397 kg]
PTO Rear PTO: independent
Rear RPM: 540
Engine RPM: 540@1800
540@1755 (shuttle)

The turbocharged 3.1-liter engine was introduced in 1999.

Which brand/size did you go with Rusty?

I think the pto rating is wrong. I am guessing it is 32 and not 52.

Turbys_1700 · Oct 3, 2017

Tractor Data lists 3 different HP ratings for the 3930. Those ranged from 41 to 43 at the PTO. You will have no issue with a 6 footer. I would not be afraid of a 7 or 8 footer either. 10 foot would be too much.

EddieWalker · Oct 3, 2017

There is very little difference between the big name brands out there. They have all been in business for decades and nothing new has been invented to make much of a difference in who you go with. Heavy duty models will have better gear boxes, heavier metal and will last longer then medium duty models. They cost more, but it's a once in a life time purchase.

What dealer is close to you? What brands do they carry? How good are they at support? How comfortable are you or the person using it in working on it? Replacing blades requires a big impact wrench, but otherwise, it's fairly simple to do. Blades last about two years for me. Once they wear out too a certain point, they tend to break off.

I personally have Landpride and feel it's a good quality, but if I was buying again, I'd go with the best deal I could find regardless of brand. Landpride has a very good website with diagrams of every model, and part numbers that are easy to look up. I can get Landpride parts from any Kubota dealer, or go online. Prices are fair for parts and blades.

I started out with sheer pins and went through a lot of them. I now have slip clutches on both of my cutters and it's night and day better!!!! I have a six foot rotary cutter and a 7 foot finish mower.

LD1 · Oct 3, 2017

MESSMAKER said:
I think the pto rating is wrong. I am guessing it is 32 and not 52.

There were 3 different engines used in that series. 301 cu-in motor used until 1995. Then a 193 cu-in motor....then later a turbo added.

Nebraska tests put all of them in the 45-50 range.

So why do you think it's 32 and not 52?

Don't be fooled by the 39 in the model number. This is a 5500# bare tractor, that lifts 3k on the back, and rolling on 28" rear tires. It is a true 50-60hp utility class machine.

Sawyer Rob · Oct 3, 2017

EddieWalker said:
There is very little difference between the big name brands out there. They have all been in business for decades and nothing new has been invented to make much of a difference in who you go with.

I can't say I agree with those statements...

I think Woods has a much better way of holding the blades on... It's better than any of the "other" cutters I've owed or used.

Also, even though the major brands may "look" the same, it doesn't mean all the parts are of the same "quality"!

An example of this is, how about all those john deere gear boxes that grenaded? Lots of folks got fooled on that green paint!

How about all the seal and other problems Bush Hog went through with those china made gear boxes??? Lots of folks got fooled on those large "looking" china boxes!

I push Woods med. duty rotary cutters, because they have proven to be very well built and LAST a long time. I have two woods cutters now, they have been the best rotary cutters I've owned to date...

For me, it's a no brainer and what I will be buying next time too!

SR