Woods Cadet 72 Rotary Cutter

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

I am considering going to look at a Woods Cadet 72 Rotary Cutter. Any opinions on this cutter? I really haven't been able to find any info online about it. Is it a good cutter with parts available if needed?

MARK ROBKE · Feb 25, 2017

I use the one Dad bought in 1964-it has never had any gearbox problem.The deck is a little rough,and it has been well used.I replaced 1 runner 10-15 yrs ago,and last year I replaced the blades and retainers.The OEM blades were cheaper than aftermarket and readily available at a dealer.That would have been the 3rd or 4th set of blades I think.I should have put new blades on a long time ago-it cut so much better and needed less power too!Mark

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

So this is probably a VERY old cutter? Or did they run that model for decades? The guy wants $850 and says it has lots of "character". But overall it is in very good useable condition and been serviced regularly.

MARK ROBKE · Feb 25, 2017

I think it is still made,maybe not as 'Cadet 72' ,but still about the same.$850 would be a good price in my opinion if it is in good shape.Check the pto driveline and check the box-on mine you need a 9/16ths wrench to remove the top cover to check grease level.look underneath the deck and see if you see any sign of grease.That would be a leak on the bottom seal.Mark

JD Seller · Feb 25, 2017

I do not think that the Woods Cadet model would have been made clear back in the 1960s. The Cadet series was Woods' light duty cutter. I have a Woods Cadet 84. It is just the 7 foot model of the Cadet 72/six foot model. For general mowing like weeds/grass and small grubs it is fine. IF you try to use it on 2 inch or bigger grubs/trees I think you will tear it up. Good light cutter.

His would have to be in very good shape to be worth $850. As for age I know they where sold new in the 1990s as that is when I bought mine. I think the model ran until Woods started using the longer numbers series over named series.

MARK ROBKE · Feb 25, 2017

Mine was bought new by my Dad in 1964 at Easter time.I went with him to the 2 dealers while he priced it.This is a cadet 72,it has a removable side,and it has cut off many,many 2" saplings.It has been mostly used on a ih300 utility,but I now use it on a cih485.I converted to 3 pt. from 2pt fast hitch.The newer ones may not be as heavy duty,but this one is well built and reinforced.The gear box on mine is very stout.Mark

JD Seller · Feb 25, 2017

Here is what the "newer" ones look like. Look at how light the tail wheel assembly is. I have had to repair/strengthen mine several times. They also do not have the removable sides. I thought that the heavier Woods mowers where call something else other than Cadet?? Maybe that was a change in the 1980s-1990s.

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

Here is a picture of it.

JD Seller · Feb 25, 2017

Around here that cutter is a $300-400 item. It is just a six footer and it is in rough condition. The off color repaint makes it worth less than it he had left it rusty.

Here is one that is in good original shape for $800. It is on Tractorhouse.

The market is regional. Around here the under seven foot mowers do not sell well.

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

I agree that the price seems high but 6' in my area are really hard to find. Every one I see which isn't very often is asking over $800.

Anything over 6' would be too big and I already have a 4' that I'm selling because too small. If I'm buying another I'd rather go with a 6' than a 5'. Many 5' available.

MARK ROBKE · Feb 25, 2017

That is like mine.The gear box is heavier than the one JD Seller posted from tractorhouse.It has a shear pin instead of a slip clutch.Mark

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 13:49:41 02/25/17) That is like mine.The gear box is heavier than the one JD Seller posted from tractorhouse.It has a shear pin instead of a slip clutch.Mark

Based on the picture, do you still think $850 is a fair price? I was going to try for $700 if I was going to make any offer at all.

Bob Bancroft · Feb 25, 2017

I've got a 6' "brush bull" like the one in JD's picture of the mower behind a Kubota. It's a heavier mower than one you're looking at.

You need to know about the gearbox, the blades/holder, and PTO shaft. Most of these are stored outside, and have water in the gearbox. Shear bolt is OK if the hub is not rusted to shaft.

Woods has a good website. You can probably find a dealer to find about parts.

ptfarmer · Feb 25, 2017

My Woods 84 Cadet behind my MF135 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Ksu0v7dao I only use the lower lift arms (no top link), used it this way for many years, never had any problems with the tail wheel. Around here a used 84" are in the $800 range if you can find one.

ed will · Feb 25, 2017

Hi, that woods mower in JDSellers' photo is exactly
like mine. The wheel support and top link A frame
are all connected loosely for uneven ground. I
never heard of it being called a "cadet". It is a very
hardy machine. Mine has had some tough times. A
machine in the photo would be worth $850 iMHO.
Ed Will Oliver BC

nrowles · Feb 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:00:52 02/25/17) My Woods 84 Cadet behind my MF135 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Ksu0v7dao I only use the lower lift arms (no top link), used it this way for many years, never had any problems with the tail wheel. Around here a used 84" are in the $800 range if you can find one.

I'm having trouble viewing your video at the moment. I did not think my MF 135 would handle a 7' in higher grass. Something like buckwheat. Does yours handle a 7' well?

ed will · Feb 25, 2017

Hi, that woods mower in JDSellers' photo is exactly
like mine. The wheel support and top link A frame
are all connected loosely for uneven ground. I
never heard of it being called a "cadet". It is a very
hardy machine. Mine has had some tough times. A
machine in the photo would be worth $850 iMHO.
Ed Will Oliver BC

37chief · Feb 25, 2017

I have a Woods Cadet 72. I have had it for over 15 years. It is a well built machine. Mine is fairly beat up from rocks being thrown into the sides. I haven't bought parts for a long time now, so I don't know about the availability of parts. A company called Flail Master has blades, and a lot cheaper than Woods. In good ground with few rocks it should last a long time. What I like about the Woods is you can change blades in 10 minutes. I change the blades when it is up on my trailer. Since I have my flail mower now, I don't use the Woods much. When I first got my Woods I used it behind my TO 20. In thick weeds I could only take 2/3 of a cut. I use my MF 231 now. Stan

ptfarmer · Feb 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:00:00 02/25/17) I'm having trouble viewing your video at the moment. I did not think my MF 135 would handle a 7' in higher grass. Something like buckwheat. Does yours handle a 7' well?

It's gone through some pretty thick patches of 6' tall weeds cutting the full 7' wide. The 135 handled it with no problems, now I wasn't going as fast as you could through them like you could with a 60-70hp tractor. Keeping the blades sharp makes a big difference running the 7' with around 40hp. When I shot the video I had just put new blades on it a couple of weeks before. You can search youtube for 1967 MF135 diesel if the link isn't working for you.

37chief · Feb 26, 2017

Looks like it has been in some rocks with the banged out side. Check where it has been sitting for oil on the ground, from a leaking seal. If you need a few important pictures from the manual I can get them for you. Stan

Woods Cadet 72 Rotary Cutter

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