KK vs Howse rear blade ?s

[Skyco]

Picked up a Howse rear blade on closeout at Northern Tool yesterday...now I'm having second thoughts, impulse purchase- hey look its on sale and I happen to have the trailer with me.
Stopped at TSC on the way home and looked at the KK line they have.

Howse-
Plus- the blade can be bolted on offset to reach farther out to one side if needing to scrape more off a track the tractor can follow. Not sure how often this could be useful, maybe trying to reach across a small ditch to dig the far bank?
Minus- the mere 1.25 pivot pin looks kind of weak compared to the 3" or so pipe pivot on the KK.

KK-
Plus-the stout looking pivot
Plus- more reinforcement across the back of the blade thereby making it stronger, and I would think, more resistant to bending if caught on something or worked hard for years.
Minus- doesn't have that side offset feature.

Price- about the same, even though NT knocked $50 off the price it costs the same as the everyday price at TSC.

I already realize I should have bought the 5' rather then the 4' so it is going to be returned to NT anyway, question is should I get the KK or stick with the Howse. This is for a BX24 so it isn't going to get pulled too hard so I don't need a heavy duty one of any brand, $$ ya know

So what do ya'll think?

 

[ChuckinNH]

For your BX, I think you would be happiest with the 5' KK XB model back blade. The ones I have looked at seem to be a good compromise between the much more expensive ones, and many that aren't built so well. Good luck with your return / exchange.

 

[CDsdad]

As far as durability and strength, I think it'd be a draw, especially with what your pulling them with. Howse sounds more user friendly with offset capability.

 

[Skyco]

Well went back to NT and did the swap, $20 more for the Howse 5 ft model Haven't figured out a need for the blade offset but figure if I ever need it, I can do it.
Have to go out of town on business for a few days so won't get a chance to try it out before next weekend

 

[coobie]

I have a heavy duty 7ft KK that I have used now for the last 5 years with no problems.IMHO,I think the howse brand are cheaper made.coobie

 

[daBear]

I live about 75 miles from the Howse factory in Laurel, MS. I was really looking forward to using their products with the factory being so close. The Howse dirt scoop I bought lasted one day. The furrow on the middle buster lasted a day. The frame of the middle buster bent in a week. The factory told me everything was fine Chinese made steel and I will never, ever own another Howse attachment. My little 28 hp tractor was just too much raw power.

 

[Cyberroc]

Haven't figured out a need for the blade offset

The first time you need to blade something you can't drive over, you will see the need. I was filling a trench that was begging for an offset.

 

[Skyco]

The Howse dirt scoop I bought lasted one day.

I'm curious, what failed on the dirt scoop? I also have a Howse dirt scoop and haven't used it since I bought a tractor with FEL. No problems noted so far when I was using it to move crushed stone. What should I watch for?



Note to Howse if you read these forums - Try shipping your rear blades with the blade attachment portion turned over upside down from the way you've been shipping them on the pallet! When they sit outside in the rain on the dealer lot they trap water and heavily rust the nuts on the blade attachment bolts- duh.

 

[daBear]

The pins the scoop pivot on bent so it would not latch closed nor would it rotate. I never rammed it into a dirt pile or abused it. I just used it with my tractor in 4WD to back into a dirt pile to move it around on my yard. I took it back to the dealer and got my money back, then bought a King Kutter which I have used extensively since without a single issue.

The furrow on my middle buster hit a root and broke in half. The Howse factory wanted $50 plus shipping and admitted it was fine Chinese steel. I bought a replacement furrow from Tractor Supply for $20 or so.

In general just bad experiences with the Howse brand which is unfortunate for me because they are so close and it would be nice to drive down and pick up some of the stuff they sell at a factory discount maybe. But that just ain't going to happen.

 

[pitt_md]

Well went back to NT and did the swap, $20 more for the Howse 5 ft model Haven't figured out a need for the blade offset but figure if I ever need it, I can do it.
Have to go out of town on business for a few days so won't get a chance to try it out before next weekend

Offset attachments come in handy. if you needed to remove snow/dirt up close to a building you will find the offset makes this a lot easier. getting the snow further off of the driveway with out going over the edge of the yard...