bush hog choice

[drdarren]

i can either get a 6" Howse economy model brand new for $900 or a Bush Hog 6" (SQ720) for $800 2008 model. other then only being $100 difference, which would you pick and why?

 

[James Howell]

We have 5 Bush Hog finishing mowers.

Hind sight being 20-20, good choice because of local parts availability.

Very minor service on 1 mower by the local dealer.

Parts availability and service from a local dealer, regardless of the manufacturer, will be the payoff in the long run.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Let's see, you can get a Cadillac for $100 more than a Yugo...

 

[Tom in TN]

dr,

It might also depend on what you're going to be cutting. I noticed the word "Economy" in the description of the Howse brand. I have a VERY rough farm. I have an old Big Bee brand brush mower that I abuse like a red-headed step-child. It just keeps on working. When I do replace it, I will need to insure that the replacement is a heavy-duty mower. I'd be wary of an "Economy" anything.

Your situation might be very different from mine.

Good luck,

Tom in TN

 

[tn.jed]

i would be very concerned with the economy thing too. first what horse power tractor you running it on??? economy stuff brakes quick if your too overpowered for it bee through that before, don"t think i would put it on anything bigger than a 50hp even with a slip clutch things still brake and if you are mowing anything higher or thicker than 6" grass you may want something more heavy duty

 

[Eric in IL]

I believe the Bush Hog "Squealer" is their economy model also, so it looks like you are comparing apples to apples. As others have said, go for the one that has the best parts and service availability.

 

[Farmallhal]

I have two Bush Hog brand cutters a 3209 which is a heavy duty heavy weight cutter with I believe 1/2" thick blades along with the SQ720 you make reference too which is a lot lighter built, with thinner blades and made for cutting smaller stuff like weeds and grassy plants. Both are used for maintaining pastures when the hot weather weeds start growing and for trimming around the buildings and such. I don"t think the SQ720 is made for cutting brush of any real size but sprouts seem to not be a problem. I have the Bush Hog brand because I think they are very well designed and built with clean decks and such and the supporting dealer is close by and maintains a very good inventory of needed parts when a problem occurs. Between the two I think the Bush Hog is superior to the Howse brand but I've never had or used one and I'm just very pleased with the Bush Hog ones I have, Hal.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'd go with the Bush Hog just because of the brand name, plus I have local dealer near by for parts.

 

[DoubleR]

I've had a 5 ft. Howse for probably over twenty years. I still use it but not on heavy stuff like brush and such. I had a problem getting u-joints for the driveshaft and finally just brough a whole new shaft for it. I would go with the brush-hog just for part availabilty. If you want to cut anything other than grass and weeds you might want to look at the heavy duty models brush hog has to offer.