Owning a mowing business, I get to log more hours on some of my mowers in a single season than some people do in a lifetime. I WAS a Woods customer for a few years. Not any more. They just didn't perform up to my expectations. I had a couple medium duty and one heavy duty Woods. (MD172, BB840, BB8400)
I had some mechanical issues (the strut running from upper 3-point mast to the rear of mower kept bending when the "toggle" should have prevented that, and gearbox seal/gear failures on the MD172), a real issue with paint falling off in sheets (to bare metal) and Woods failing to recognize that as a legitimate warranty issue. Also, I was NEVER satisfied with the finish cut. They left too much grass/weeds uncut in tire tracks. Even with high lift blades, I wasn't pleased with the job they did.
The Woods mowers have been replaced with Bush Hog (286, 297, 406) MUCH better quality of cut, much better reliability of the mower(s). And, I've dealt with Bush Hog on a couple warranty issues (on one of my three 15' batwings) and will say they listen and they RESPOND.
My customers want 2 things. A good price and a nice looking finished job. Quality equipment that I can rely on helps hold down cost. That same quality equipment gives the good "finish". Nothing but Bush Hog mowers for me from now on.
I own several other Woods products. (RB84, HB84, HB72, Gill soil pulverizer) I'm please with them for the most part. The difference is, they don't see 500 to 1000 hours of use per season like the mowers do.
