[Thowle]

Does anyone have an opinion of these two mowers?

Bush Hog RDTH84 versus the John Deere (Frontier) GM1084R

What one would be better? According to the JD dealer (also a BH dealer) -- prices are about the same, but the Bush Hog is a better mower.

 

[Thowle]

Well, for the purpose of running this behind my John Deere 3520, here is a comparison of the specs with listed "winner" that I put together.

Data is based off of that available at http://www.bushhog.com/images/stories/documents/manuals/RDTH84Spec.pdf, and http://www.deere.com/en_US/docs/non_current/wpmowlit08017pr_rear_side_discharge_gm_fm_lit.pdf.

	Bush Hog RDTH84	John Deere GM1084R	Score Weight
Type	Rear Discharge	Rear Discharge	--
Cut Width	84"	84"	--
Cut Height Max	5.5"	4.5"	10%
Cut Height Low	1.5"	1"	5%
Required HP	30-55 HP	25-40 HP	25%
Hitch Type	Cat 1	Cat 1	--
Gearbox HP	55 HP	40 HP	15%
Weight	874 lbs	750 lbs	10%
Drive Type	Gearbox over v-belt	Gearbox over v-belt	--
Spindles	3 (cast-iron)	3 (cast-iron)	--
Blade Speed	18,266	16,730	15%
Blade Overlap	1.5"	2"	10%
Deck Thickness	7-gauge	8-gauge	5%
Belts	B section, Kevlar	B section, Kevlar	--
Casters	4 (3x13 front, 4x10 rear)	4 Solid (10x3.25 all)	5%
Final Score	55%	45%	--

Based on those specs, and that criteria.. the winner is the..
Bush Hog RDTH84

 

[Thowle]

I like the blade speed of the Bush hog, but I like the strength and blade over lap of the JD. But the BH weighs more... so?


Are you using it to mow lawn or maybe a little more? You can turn sharper with the JD due to the blade over lap.

Brian,

I do to. I went back and added a score for each of the specs, and the Bush Hog came out 10% ahead of the JD.

I think I'll go with the Bush Hog version.

I'll be using this to mow water ways, and field edges -- so the extra height will work out well. Plus, this will be used as the ballast for FEL work- smaller than a rotary cutter, and has a fairly okay weight.