Thoughts on walk behind brushcutters?

[ANewSawyer]

Still looking for a long term solution to my small lot mowing. I don't need a large tractor or even a large unit. I kinda stumbled into one of the fixed deck Billy Goats used for about 1k. Don't know anything about it because I haven't gone to look at it. I think it is the 24" deck model with 13HP. Fixed deck of course. I know that articulated decks are all the rage but I don't know whether I would need one or not. I may see if a local rental place carries walk behind brush cutters and price renting one. Any brand, just to try it. I am not stuck on brands but if I can get a good deal...

 

[capetrees]

Get a Gravely. You can change out to numerous attachments with a quick connect and the brushog is a beast. I have a Professional 12 and nothing has stopped it. The only thing better is a new deck mower I bought for the front of my ditch witch mini. The gravely will eat anything up to two inches diameter with a sharp blade.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/5117079522.html

 

[ANewSawyer]

That is a good option. About half the price of what I have been looking at. But I wonder about parts availability? That I have not done a lot of work on 4-cycle engines but there is a time to start everything.

As far as new models go, a Little Wonder with the 390cc Honda engine would probably be my choice. A BCS tractor would be great but there aren't any dealers close by.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

They sold alot of BCS tractors at the shop some years ago. I say they as it was before my time.

Well built, but you pay for that quality. Even the small model is close to 2k setup as a tiller. A flail mower attachment ibwant to say is in the $1500 area and you had to step up to a medium sized tractor (more hp).

 

[capetrees]

Gravely parts??

They're everywhere and dealers still service all models, although a few have stopped on the older L models. There are entire websites devoted to Gravelys and the parts and attachments for them.

 

[ANewSawyer]

So I might be able to take it to a Gravely dealer and ask them to service it? Hmmm. I will give the local dealer a call. Cape, could I drop you a PM?

The only concern would be if I got a lemon. It isn't that I don't have the patience to do my own service work but that I don't have the time. I need to spend my time working WITH the machine not ON the machine.

 

[Mowingman]

Get a Gravely. You will not regret it. It is best to buy one of the newer ones that have the kohler engine. Parts for the old Gravely designed engines are not hard to find, but there are very few shops that will even look at one of them. Gravely dealers can still get parts for even the old L models, and most anyone can work on the single cylinder Kohler engines.
Jeff

 

[ANewSawyer]

I have a seen a Pro 12 with three or four attachments for sale recently. Will it have the Kohler engine or is there a way to tell from pics?

 

[capetrees]

I have a pro 12 and it does have the 12 horse Kohler. The thing kicks ass and keeps going. Starts every time and doesn't want to stop. I'm no mechanic and I can work on it if need be with ease.

 

[Mowingman]

Yes, it should have a Kohler. I was a Gravely dealer for several years. All the "Pro" machines had Kohler power until near the end of production. Then, a couple of years before Gravely quit making that tractor, they had Robin engines in them. The Robin is a good engine too.
Jeff

 

[ANewSawyer]

It would be a long drive to get it though. And I would need another vehicle to pick it up because it is supposed to comeswith the tiller and rotary plow. And a sulky. It's the ride behind thing right?

 

[Marshy]

Don't waist your time with the Billy Goat at that price. My coworker has one that I borrow on occasion. Usually once a year I mow a 4 acre pasture. It's hell on wheels and beat the snot out of you just cutting tall grass. I could like it but the ergonomics of the handles are plain chitty! To make matter worse the trans axle does not lock to become a solid axle. You constantly have to fight it to keep it straight. Otherwise I like the way it cuts. The blade is robust and clutch is good. If I was to invest in something like it I would spend the extra for a DR mower. I would try a gravely too.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Good to know Marshy. Now I know what they mean by "locking differential". I do like the DR but I am...unsure about Briggs and Stratton engines. DR is only building them with BS engines now. I have a flat head Briggs and it has left me wondering about the overall quality. Though there is a used one for sale that might have a Kaw engine. It comes with the finish mower too...

 

[TooManyToys]

My dad bought two Gravelys for the nursery when I was about five. While the two units are long gone, two of the roto tillers are still there now in front of any of the 4 Gravelys I now have. The 30" mower or sickle would have no problems with a small lot. Mine have been taking care of a 9 acre nursery for about 56 years.

 

[catbuster]

They're sadistic if you're not a competitor in a World's Strongest Man contest if you have any sort of hillside.

 

[Marshy]

Good to know Marshy. Now I know what they mean by "locking differential". I do like the DR but I am...unsure about Briggs and Stratton engines. DR is only building them with BS engines now. I have a flat head Briggs and it has left me wondering about the overall quality. Though there is a used one for sale that might have a Kaw engine. It comes with the finish mower too...

I don't have anything bad to say about the flat head B&S engines but I don't exactly have a lot of experience with them on various equipment. However, I think it's a shame that they are using them on the DR. I would look for one with the Kawi engine for sure. Maybe the B&S engines are on the non-commercial units. I like the honda engine on the Billy Goat and would prefer honda over the B&S but the cats meow would be the Kawi.

 

[Marshy]

I don't believe the Gravely have locking dif either btw.

 

[ANewSawyer]

I am mowing slopes. Not steep hills but sloping ground.

Sorry, marshy, the new B & S engines on the DR are OHV. But my only experience with B&S is a flathead.

EDIT: Hey, Catbuster, are you referring to a Gravely or the Billy Goat?

 

[svobronco]

They're sadistic if you're not a competitor in a World's Strongest Man contest if you have any sort of hillside.

True that! I sold mine and bought and old Ford 8n and a 5' brush hog for $1500. Does great on sidehills even with only 2wd

 

[Marshy]

If you can go straight down the slope it wouldn't be bad. Side hill would be tortuous. BCS makes some nice equipment but its expensive, makes a DR seem cheap. Can't remember if we talked about BCS... And they have Honda motors.