Rear Blade New to rough cut mowers

[muzbomb]

Hello fellas I am new to a 3 point mower. Been thinking of getting a rough cut mower 5ft or 6ft. I can a cross a Howse 5.5 rough cut mower it is in really good shape. Is this a decent brand and also what should I be looking for when checking it out?

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

It looks to be a hand repaint...
Do the seals on the gear box have obvious leaks ?
When you turn the pto shaft by hand, is there lag in the blade movement ?
Does the pto shaft move in and out easily ?
Do the pto shaft yokes look OK ?
How bad are the cutting edges of the blades worn, beat up ?

All considered, is the price right ??

 

[CoyPatton]

My impression is this has had a bandaid paint job done. Some things that make me believe this: tail wheel has been painted. Places where paint is thin, not sure if rust is bleeding through or if repair work has been done and primer is poorly covered with red. Places where paint has chipped away or were just missed in painting. Lots of pitting in the metal that has been painted over. Thump on the metal, not hard enough to dent it, but enough that if it is painted rust it will flake the paint.

With that said, check out all mechanical points on the brush cutter: spin the PTO by hand, is there play?, are the U joints sloppy?, are the shafts on the gear box sloppy?, what shape are the seals in, signs of leaks?, is there gear oil in the gear box?, what does it look like—milky?, do the blades spin freely—they should be free to spin from the gear box spinning should they hit a stump or rock?

I am sure others have more points to address, but personally I would rather not have the bandaid to truly see its condition. If the seller does not want to you look it over closely—leave it behind in a hurry!

 

[mred2]

I have a friend that will not buy used equipment that has been painted. He thinks they are trying to hide something. I think most people paint things, hoping for more money. I think Howse is a ok brand, but not the best. They are ok for light use. Check the condition carefully. Look at what is under the paint.

 

[Beeenvenue]

I have a friend that will not buy used equipment that has been painted. He thinks they are trying to hide something. I think most people paint things, hoping for more money. I think Howse is a ok brand, but not the best. They are ok for light use. Check the condition carefully. Look at what is under the paint.

I repaint mine annually. Hate the way brush and chains scratch it up.

 

[Beeenvenue]

If the pto shaft is an issue (u joints or other) just buy a new one. Add in $150 or less to the “purchase price” to see if the deal is still worth it.

Never understood why people care much about shredder brands. Except for the gearbox it is just metal. 10 ga is 10ga or whatever. Heavier/thicker is usually better but depends what you are cutting - grass and twigs mean it doesn’t matter. Cutting in the woods or over rocks means heavy duty. Otherwise but for price, it’s only a grand or so.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If the pto shaft is an issue (u joints or other) just buy a new one. Add in $150 or less to the “purchase price” to see if the deal is still worth it.

Never understood why people care much about shredder brands. Except for the gearbox it is just metal. 10 ga is 10ga or whatever. Heavier/thicker is usually better but depends what you are cutting - grass and twigs mean it doesn’t matter. Cutting in the woods or over rocks means heavy duty. Otherwise but for price, it’s only a grand or so.

Some brands ARE higher quality and better designed, and worth the extra they cost to buy...

Howse is a light duty mower, and should be used as such...

SR

 

[Beeenvenue]

Some brands ARE higher quality and better designed, and worth the extra they cost to buy...

Howse is a light duty mower, and should be used as such...

SR

Agreed. Depends on use. But generally I look at this like a riding lawnmower - I can buy and replace a Troy built 42” three times before I approach the cost of a Deere mower. I look at a shredder the same way - use it and unless you NEED that quality and heavy duty then it is false economy, buy cheap And buy again in 5-7 years if necessary (and still be money ahead)

 

[CoyPatton]

If the pto shaft is an issue (u joints or other) just buy a new one. Add in $150 or less to the “purchase price” to see if the deal is still worth it.

Never understood why people care much about shredder brands. Except for the gearbox it is just metal. 10 ga is 10ga or whatever. Heavier/thicker is usually better but depends what you are cutting - grass and twigs mean it doesn’t matter. Cutting in the woods or over rocks means heavy duty. Otherwise but for price, it’s only a grand or so.

The bigger concern about sloppy U-joints is a potential issue that maintenance was not done, or it gas been abused. Also yes figure in the replacement cost of a new shaft or at least new U-joints, but that may make the deal not a deal!