Woods 72" finishing mower

eddieirvine · May 17, 2018

I have a woods rear mower72" I have watched some finishing mowers cut grass. Mine does a good job,but I have chains on the rear discharge which I realize it is a guard My question is without the chains on, it spreads the grass out better and does not row it up. have any of you seen this or agree it does cut better?

Oldoak · May 17, 2018

Back when I purchased my Woods RD7200 many years ago, it came without chains. Chains were an additional option. Mine, without the chains, does a nice job of spreading the grass clipping out. The was the first thing I noticed and really liked the fact the it didn't windrow the clippings.

PHILIP8N · May 18, 2018

I bought my Woods RD7200 in 1999, and it did not come with chains. I like the way it disperses grass clippings, why I got a RD. Never any issues throwing foreign debris, but that depends on where you are mowing. Philip.

ritschner · May 18, 2018

I also have a RD72 with no chains. The first time I used it the neighbor asked if I was opening a golf course.

rbargeron · May 18, 2018

My first RM990 came with chain plates. They serve a purpose in limiting the speed of the discharge. But the plates are in the way for backing in close to things, they add a lot of weight, and they bend too easy, needing to be straightened. I took them off. The discharge isn't that severe - and no people or pets are near where I'm mowing anyway. Without them the tractor is less back-heavy. Nicer for backing down a slope and going forward without doing wheelies.

Turbys_1700 · May 18, 2018

rbargeron said:
My first RM990 came with chain plates. They serve a purpose in limiting the speed of the discharge. But the plates are in the way for backing in close to things, they add a lot of weight, and they bend too easy, needing to be straightened. I took them off. The discharge isn't that severe - and no people or pets are near where I'm mowing anyway. Without them the tractor is less back-heavy. Nicer for backing down a slope and going forward without doing wheelies.

I run my PRD without chains. The dispersion is better.

Oldoak · May 18, 2018

PHILIP8N said:
I bought my Woods RD7200 in 1999, and it did not come with chains. I like the way it disperses grass clippings, why I got a RD. Never any issues throwing foreign debris, but that depends on where you are mowing. Philip.

Purchased mine in May of 1997. Still going strong. My Woods RD7200 is going to out live me!

dieselscout80 · May 18, 2018

rbargeron said:
My first RM990 came with chain plates. They serve a purpose in limiting the speed of the discharge. But the plates are in the way for backing in close to things, they add a lot of weight, and they bend too easy, needing to be straightened. I took them off. The discharge isn't that severe - and no people or pets are near where I'm mowing anyway. Without them the tractor is less back-heavy. Nicer for backing down a slope and going forward without doing wheelies.

How do you like your RM990?

Ritothebull · May 18, 2018

I have a Bush Hog rdth84 with no chains, I think the chains are more suited for the guys mowing along the roadway.

rbargeron · May 19, 2018

dieselscout80 said:
How do you like your RM990?

I've owned 3 RM990's. I think they're about perfect - commercial-quality construction (tapered collets on all the spindles, high-rated gearbox, duplex drive belt, big castors, etc. My first one was such a good machine I bought a bigger tractor for it. After several years I bought a second RM990, selling the older one. I missed having the second one so I picked up another spare that can live at my son's place a few miles away. Belts and blades are available at good prices if you look around. The mowing results are what I'm after - looks good without being a golf course. The rugged swing-back blades are a big plus if you have rocks.