ride on brushcutter recomendations

[Muddy42]

So my ancient Bolens ride on has finally had to be retired with a cloud of issues - camshaft, gasket leaks, clutch, rust, broken spindles.

 

I am looking for people's experience with the various ride on brushcutters out there.  They all seam remarkably similar.  Generally I am looking at the model with the largest engine in the range that is not 4WD.  I could get 4WD if second hand, but the new 4WD ones seem to be more expensive. On the face of it 4WD would mean a few more parts to go wrong.  

 

- Orec Rabbit RM952

- Grillo Climber 9.22

- Etesia Attila 98

 

Budget of £5k if second hand.  The new ones are about £10k. I'm not adverse to new either.

 

And before anyone else suggests alternatives, I have an ATV flail mower for the really rough stuff, 50cc strimmer and a normal collecting rotary mower for lawns. This is for quite specific applications, tight access and under orchard trees.

 

Thanks in advance.

[AHPP]

What ground are you looking after btw? From what you’ve posted on here over the years, I suspect you own a castle. 

[Muddy42]

Castle no.  Its an old market garden, where they used to sell plants, fruit and veg.  Flat varied ground but very fertile alluvial soil so the grass and weeds grow like stink. I also do paid work for a few people who can no longer maintain their gardens or use a chainsaw - so think of knee high grass with buried obstacles. I like fixing older machines and keeping them going.

[AHPP]

Sounds mint.

[doobin]

4 hours ago, Muddy42 said:

So my ancient Bolens ride on has finally had to be retired with a cloud of issues - camshaft, gasket leaks, clutch, rust, broken spindles.

 

I am looking for people's experience with the various ride on brushcutters out there.  They all seam remarkably similar.  Generally I am looking at the model with the largest engine in the range that is not 4WD.  I could get 4WD if second hand, but the new 4WD ones seem to be more expensive. On the face of it 4WD would mean a few more parts to go wrong.  

 

- Orec Rabbit RM952

- Grillo Climber 9.22

- Etesia Attila 98

 

Budget of £5k if second hand.  The new ones are about £10k. I'm not adverse to new either.

 

And before anyone else suggests alternatives, I have an ATV flail mower for the really rough stuff, 50cc strimmer and a normal collecting rotary mower for lawns. This is for quite specific applications, tight access and under orchard trees.

 

Thanks in advance.

Have you considered a subcompact tractor with a mid mounted rear-discharge deck?

 

Pretty much the same thing as a ride on brushcutter but 4wd as standard and can be used for lots of other things. Independent brakes will make life easier also.

[Muddy42]

21 hours ago, doobin said:

Have you considered a subcompact tractor with a mid mounted rear-discharge deck?

 

Pretty much the same thing as a ride on brushcutter but 4wd as standard and can be used for lots of other things. Independent brakes will make life easier also.

 

I have but the thing is I wouldn't use it "for anything else" just mowing.

[Peter 1955]

I'm unfamiliar with the machines mentioned in the first post, but some of the larger  Husqvarna riders can fit a flail head. One of my customers got one as well as the cutter deck, and I thought it was a bad idea. 

 

 

Until I used it. 😉

[doobin]

18 hours ago, Peter 1955 said:

I'm unfamiliar with the machines mentioned in the first post, but some of the larger  Husqvarna riders can fit a flail head. One of my customers got one as well as the cutter deck, and I thought it was a bad idea. 

 

 

Until I used it. 😉

If you take out the mulch plate and let it shoot straight out the back on the rotary decks they are pretty good also. 

[Peter 1955]

10 hours ago, doobin said:

If you take out the mulch plate and let it shoot straight out the back on the rotary decks they are pretty good also. 

Which is why I thought the flail head was unnecessary. 

Until I used it. 

You are correct, without the mulch plate it's good, but with the flail head, I've cut stuff I couldn't see over from the seat. 

[AHPP]

The Etesia has a Kawasaki V twin. Not sure if it's the exact same one as on my dad's mower but if it is, I recommend it. Very easy to work on.

 

When is a ride on brushcutter a ride on brushcutter and not a mower btw? It's a thing with four wheels and a steel rotary cutting thing. I'd call that a mower but I am braced for education.