New (to me) Rear Finish Mower

[RoyJackson]

As many of you know, I got an 84" Befco RFM when I bought my 4400. Although a great mower, I always had two complaints:
1) Too wide for my garage door (had about half inch clearance on both sides when backing in...potential screwup there!)
2) A big mower like this would span the lower spots on my rather uneven lawn.

Had a buddy of mine needing a bigger mower (he was mowing 8-10 acres with a 60" MMM).
So...sold the big Befco and found a 72" Frontier RFM at my local dealer. Moneywise, I put very few dollars out to do this swap.

The Frontier is set up for the Deere I-Match, so I finally got an opportunity to use the Deere Quick Hitch that's been setting in my garage for the last year.
This mower is built by Woods (the curved front corners of the deck as well as the Woods logo on the gearbox are the giveaways). It's definitely a heavy, well built machine and I am quite pleased with it's quality and cut.

The attached pic is was taken just after I'd mowed part of the yard (but hadn't mowed where I was parked).

BTW, my buddy's 60" Deere MMM will be for sale shortly. It's coming off a 4310 and will fit a 4210, 4310, 4410, 3320 and others. Not sure of the price yet, but figure $1500/OBO.

 

[bp fick]

Horse trading is fun and doesn't cost a lot of money, if done right, and by the looks of things, you did well, Roy. Very, very nice mower.

I've never been too afraid of switching things around to meet the current situation. We may do some switching ourselves soon, as my wife wants a riding lawn tractor and wants to mow herself. Who am I to complain? (there's more to it than that, but anyhow......)

Might sell my 48" RFM. We shall see how it goes.

 

[kebo]

Good deal, but you forgot to point out the best part of it! You gained 12" of clearance going through the garage door, so hopefully no chance of boo-boo's on the door frames now.

 

[RoyJackson]

Good deal, but you forgot to point out the best part of it! You gained 12" of clearance going through the garage door, so hopefully no chance of boo-boo's on the door frames now.

I kind of thought that was obvious, but yes...that's why I did the swap. And yep...it's sweet with all that extra clearance.

 

[YesDeere]

You have excellent taste in mowers Roy!

 

[RoyJackson]

You have excellent taste in mowers Roy!

Yeah...that one does look familar!!!

 

[whistlepig]

As many of you know, I got an 84" Befco RFM when I bought my 4400. Although a great mower, I always had two complaints:
1) Too wide for my garage door (had about half inch clearance on both sides when backing in...potential screwup there!)
2) A big mower like this would span the lower spots on my rather uneven lawn.

Had a buddy of mine needing a bigger mower (he was mowing 8-10 acres with a 60" MMM).
So...sold the big Befco and found a 72" Frontier RFM at my local dealer. Moneywise, I put very few dollars out to do this swap.

The Frontier is set up for the Deere I-Match, so I finally got an opportunity to use the Deere Quick Hitch that's been setting in my garage for the last year.
This mower is built by Woods (the curved front corners of the deck as well as the Woods logo on the gearbox are the giveaways). It's definitely a heavy, well built machine and I am quite pleased with it's quality and cut.

The attached pic is was taken just after I'd mowed part of the yard (but hadn't mowed where I was parked).

BTW, my buddy's 60" Deere MMM will be for sale shortly. It's coming off a 4310 and will fit a 4210, 4310, 4410, 3320 and others. Not sure of the price yet, but figure $1500/OBO.

Your mower looks identical to my Woods PRD7200 except for the floating chains. My Woods has a toggle link for deck floating. I have used floating chains on mowers and if I had my choice I would prefer the chains over a toggle link. The Woods mowers are nice. I have owned two. I consider them the Cadillac of rear finishing mowers.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

That's a beautiful rig with those turf tires and all.:thumbsup:

Nice Green mower....I think you're going to like it.:thumbsup:

Good move Roy.:thumbsup: Freakin' nice.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

Your mower looks identical to my Woods PRD7200 except for the floating chains.

That's exactly what it is...other then the modifications required by Deere for the Quick Hitch (i.e.floating chains, etc.).


And, many thanks to all of you who posted with such kind words!!

 

[Turbys_1700]

Roy, I've got a PRD 7200 Woods that is painted blue to match my NH 1720. You've got the same mower in Deere green. That is a real nice unit. I really like mine. I especially like the rolled bar edge on the bottom deck for extra support and the cast iron sheaves. You're gonna like that unit a lot. It is a heavy bugger for a 6' unit.

 

[jenkinsph]

Very nice mower Roy, that ought to make quick work out of your lawn.

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy, I've got a PRD 7200 Woods that is painted blue to match my NH 1720. You've got the same mower in Deere green. That is a real nice unit. I really like mine. I especially like the rolled bar edge on the bottom deck for extra support and the cast iron sheaves. You're gonna like that unit a lot. It is a heavy bugger for a 6' unit.

Sure is heavy...it weighs darn near the same as that 84" Befco I had.

Funny thing...when my buddy and I first discussed him buying my Befco (and he is very happy with it, BTW), I found a Woods RD7200 72" RFM on the local Craigslist. I'd made tentative arrangements to go look at it, once the Befco was sold.
I just happened to call my local Deere dealer on the way home from work to see what they had and the salesguy told me about this one. The Frontier, being a PRD7200, was actually a newer mower (sold in 2007 or 2008) then the RD7200 (about 9 years old, according to the seller), for the same asking price.
Reckon I just lucked out...

 

[YesDeere]

My father stumbled upon mine at an auction. Think its an 07. He said he couldn't pass it up for $700, Was hardly used. It took some time to talk him put of it though!