Woods PRD8400 or RM990?

[PSDStu]

Getting ready to purchase either a PRD8400 or RM990 to finish mow about 10 acres using my M5040. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on either one of these mowers?

Thanks!

 

[sixdogs]

I own the 8400 but considered the 990. Basically, the 990 is really super-duty 8400. I went with the 8400 because I was mowing only three acres on a weekly basis from April till November and I felt the 990 was overkill.

It turned out to be a good call because my ground is smooth and I take it easy. If I had more irregular ground and wanted to pound on the equipment more, the 990 would have been a better choice. The 990 will seriously outlast and outperform the 8400 but used prices for either one will be soft. The 990 is easier to adjust the depth of cut. Over time, you would likely buy two 8400s to equal one 990.

If I was doing 10 acres and wanted to go fast and the ground was rough and I had the $$$, I would probably go with the 990.

 

[RickB]

The RM990 is an awsome FM. I have one that came back from the dead (a very bad first home) and it has performed very well for me for about 5 years. The free-swinging blades are a big plus for semi-rough mowing.

 

[Happyman]

I use the 8400 behind my L3940 (35 PTO HP). It's a great machine but I have had one issue. I cut about 12 acres of pasture that's a combination of fescue, orchard, timothy and other various weeds. I cut it every 2 weeks at a height of 5". The ground is fairly smooth but I do have some rough areas that bounce the PRD8400 pretty hard. The problem I had was with the bolts that hold the wheel arms onto the deck. I sheer at least one of those bolts (2 bolts per arm) each year. I have switched to a hardened bolt whenever one sheers and that seems to have fixed the problem. The deck is heavy and there is a lot of stress on those 2 bolts that hold the arms to the deck. If they get loose at all the bouncing of the deck will sheer those suckers in a heartbeat.
Other then this issue, the 8400 has been a very good FM. I sharpen the blades 2x each season and get a very nice cut. The pastures look like a well trimmed yard!