What is Everything Attachments thinking?

[rider0]

I hesitated for some time before writing this post, but decided I could use a little community input.

I purchased a 78" box blade for tractors between 30 and 70hp from Everything Attachments a few months ago. I hadn't even heard of Everything Attachments at the time, but I was searching for a box blade made in the USA, and when their site came up on searches, I did a little research and found that they were a legitimate company. I ordered the blade and it came via freight right on schedule.

I was very satisfied with the apparent build quality, especially for the price, over anything I could source locally. The blade had one small defect; one of the lower 3 point mounts was narrower than the other due to a welding mistake.

I spaced out the narrow side differently, and went ahead and used the blade. I eventually decided I'd drop EE a line and mention that although I really liked the blade, they should be aware that they had a little QC problem and should watch out for it in the future.

Well, I heard back from EE, and they seemed polite enough in acknowledging my email, but then a few days later I get another email saying they thought that I had a stabilizer issue which was letting the box blade swing from right to left and causing the ears to bend. (note that the outer ear is angled inward, which isn't something that could be caused by swinging in the first place).

I sent a few additional pictures showing that the ear was simply not welded square to the center clevis panel when the implement was manufactured, and it was not bent in any way. The ear itself is a perfect 90 degree angle with perfectly straight sides, etc.

What did I get? Another email saying I would "continue to bend the ears" if I continued to use it without a stabilizer.

I'm pulling the 78" box blade with an old farm tractor that makes under 25 drawbar horsepower. The box blade is rated for tractors of up to 70hp. I am using a factory 3 point hitch adapter that has pulled box blades for hundreds of hours without bending them up. In fact, if this blade can be bent - even if it was abused (when in actuality it's doing light work in light soil) - by this old tractor, it's got a problem to begin with.

I don't understand this kind of response insisting that the customer is essentially destroying equipment through misuse when it is clearly a manufacturing defect. I have several other implements on my shopping list, and due to my overall satisfaction with my box blade, I was going to buy them from EE. At this point, seeing their attitude when a defect or quality control issue is pointed out to them, I am concerned about what kind of response I would get if I had a real issue that needed to be corrected!

I'll say it again - this box blade is better than locally sourced blades that cost $500 more -
I guess I'm just looking for some input from someone who's had to deal with Everything Attachments after the sale...



good side:


bad side:


Angle made between the frame and the back of the mounting ear (quite a bit more than the proper 90 degrees):


let's transfer that angle to the good side which is welded at 90 degrees... Oops :-)


side plate of ear is as straight as an arrow:

[rider0]

The ear itself is a perfect 90 degree piece of angle:


Here's the 3 point hitch:

[rider0]

I know that Everything Attachments employees read this site, and I'm sure they'll immediately know who I am- so no hard feelings guys- I'm just a little disappointed in you.

[teampryor]

I met the EA road crew at the Moultrie ag fest. Wasted 20 minutes sweating in their trailer trying to get straight answers. Even left my name phone # and email address for someone with some knowledge to contact me. Well never heard from them, so guess what... I moved on. Is this another case of a company getting too big for its britches?
If you had indeed bent it you would have knocked the paint off the mount.
Dont worry the folks at Taylor Pittsburgh are just as bad.
It seems companies have disclaimers and exemptions for responsibility for the very products they design to fail, then say its your fault it broke. I call it a black list, companies i prefer to not do business with.
Buy local at least they have to look you in the eyes.

[joshuabardwell]

I'm no fabrication engineer, but that is clearly a welding error. The ear itself is 100% intact--not bent or deformed in any way. And you can see that the welds themselves are not square to the frame.

[mjncad]

Yep, they goofed welding up the ear. You should see how much King Kutter goofed on one of my carryall's legs. It's definitely not square with the rest of the implement.

Is EA's welding goof causing you much hassle operating the implement as designed?

[Gordon Gould]

I think his point is that he is able to live with the defect but the attitude displayed by EA, if his story is correct, is unacceptable. And I agree. I think he was trying to help them do a better job by pointing this out to them. All they needed to do was say thankyou, we will take a look at our mfg process in that area and see if we can make it better.

[ATP]

interesting thread as i am in the market for a rotary tiller and pallet forks....and have been very much pleased with ted and peanuts how to video's on product uses....
in fact ... i am about to purchase both items....

[kmassing]

Yep, I've experienced the same 'attitude' issues.

I'm buying local now.

[BIG DOOLEY]

I think his point is that he is able to live with the defect but the attitude displayed by EA, if his story is correct, is unacceptable. And I agree. I think he was trying to help them do a better job by pointing this out to them. All they needed to do was say thankyou, we will take a look at our mfg process in that area and see if we can make it better.

A good chance to take customer feedback and improve a quality issue missed.
A thanks for the heads up and we'll send you a ballcap or a coupon for money off on your next purchase would have been just one ... of many more favorable responses.
Instead
Bad P R and word of mouth travels faster that a cheetah an antelopes tail.