What finish mower should I purchase?

03kubota · Mar 20, 2007

I'm relativly new to the mower market. I own 10.5 acres and intend to mow approx. 8 acres. I have an 03 kubota L3130 with 25hp pto. I have current prices from local dealers of $1550 FARM KING Y650R, $1450 2YR NEW RHINO FM72, $1500 RHINO BR72 OR MASCHIO J180 MY CHOICE, $1800 WOODS, $1700 LANDPRIDE, $1195 LMC, $1850 BUSH HOG, $1250 KING KUTTER.
All mowers seem close in comparsion, but I want one that will last for years to come with consideration given to replacement parts and general maintenance. Any help that any one may offer from their experience would be appreciated. Please take in consideration longevity and maintenance over price.

vallyfarm · Mar 21, 2007

You should get the one with the best dealer support. All of them will break. If you can't get a replacement spindle for it, then you probably got the wrong one. Woods has been around forever, and parts are available for almost anything they ever made. The others may bethe same, I just don't know. The thickness of the deck is also a pretty good indicator of quality through the whole machine. Hope this helps. Mike

Turbys_1700 · Mar 21, 2007

03kubota said:
I'm relativly new to the mower market. I own 10.5 acres and intend to mow approx. 8 acres. I have an 03 kubota L3130 with 25hp pto. I have current prices from local dealers of $1550 FARM KING Y650R, $1450 2YR NEW RHINO FM72, $1500 RHINO BR72 OR MASCHIO J180 MY CHOICE, $1800 WOODS, $1700 LANDPRIDE, $1195 LMC, $1850 BUSH HOG, $1250 KING KUTTER.
All mowers seem close in comparsion, but I want one that will last for years to come with consideration given to replacement parts and general maintenance. Any help that any one may offer from their experience would be appreciated. Please take in consideration longevity and maintenance over price.

I just ordered a PRD 7200 Woods for $1900. I could have purchased a Heritage model for $1600 but thought that $300 more for the PRD was worth it. My old 5' Landpride is still going strong after 14 years but I wanted to upgrade. That old unit has never even had a bearing replaced. Unreal.

You typically get what you pay for in finish and rough cut mowers. I think that all of the ones you mentioned are fine. Just make sure to compare equivalent models. In my case the Heritage model Woods was only $50 more than an equivalent First Choice. The Woods is heavier built and has a higher throat clearance than the First Choice and weighs over 100# more. To me $50 difference was worth it. But I upgraded to the PRD. It weighs over 700#.

mjarrels · Mar 21, 2007

Not sure what you are wanting to mow but I like flail mowers.

mark

scott_vt · Mar 21, 2007

Afternoon 03Kubota,
For awhile I was looking at Caroni 6ft raer finish mowers,
but have recsently turned my attention towards a Toro Zero Turn Mower. I just wasnt in love with the idea of taking the bush hog off everytime I had to mow the lawn

Anyway, the Caroni line has a good name and you might want to take a look. The mower was listed at $1229 and that includes the PTO shaft.

http://www.agri-supply.com/techpages/caroni/caroni-images/rearmower.jpg

03kubota · Mar 21, 2007

Will be mowing old pasture land

03kubota · Mar 21, 2007

Zero turn is a little out of my range. I already own the tractor. I have been unable to find a local dealer for the caroni brand you recommended Scott.

scott_vt · Mar 21, 2007

03kubota said:
Zero turn is a little out of my range. I already own the tractor. I have been unable to find a local dealer for the caroni brand you recommended Scott.

Afternoon 03Kubota,
Call 1-800-345-0169 AgriSupply and put your name on the catologue list. Shipping on that mower was only $160 to Vt, to your door !

BBB · Mar 21, 2007

I have a Woods and a Bush Hog brand finish mower, both do an excellent job. I started using the bush hog brand when my yard was only pasture. Now it is lawn,and I still use the same mower. The Woods is built a little heavier, but I can,t tell the difference in the cut. BTW both units are about 4 yrs old.

JLoaf · Mar 22, 2007

I have a Woods RD7200. It was 2 or 3 years old when I bought it. I've had to replace the belt once. It is well built.
I had a Land Pride 5' FM that came with a used tractor I bought. I bought it in November and sold it in December. I didn't mow much with it, but I saw some feature that I really prefered over the Woods.
Changing cut height on the Land Pride is MUCH easier - no tools req'd. Getting to the spindles was much easier on the Land Pride - no tools req'd.
The Land Pride was built very heavy duty.
If I were to buy a new finish mower today, I'd certainly consider the Land Pride.