Midwest Box Blade DEFECTIVE points! Dealer cursing

[DiskDoctr]

I just took delivery of a new 72" BB made by Midwest.

After 5 minutes (!) of dragging about 20 feet, 3 passes through topsoil, 3 of the 6 plow points broke off [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I am regrading a lawn, so some small stones, but nothing major. It was easy pulling, and mostly just tearing up sod. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING to cause hard pulling or damage.

I called the dealer right away, and he told me that they have a problem with brittleness in the points and would replace all six without question (Good on his part)

For my part, I agreed to do the labor to remove the other three and weld on all the new points without charge to them.

The salesman himmmed and hawwwed about the shipping, but after a rather "heated" discussion where the salesman started cursing (bad on his part), the owner agreed to replace them quickly without charge after I called back and asked to speak with him (Good on his part).

So, if you have a Midwest BB, check the points, or consider another brand.

And don't let the dealer try to snowball you- this is a known problem, and I don't understand why the dealer continues to ship with these points, knowing the defect exists.

PS- I have withheld the name of the dealer because I don't think the dealership deserves bad press. They did lots of things "right" and I am very satisfied with the purchase and experience, save this bump in the road. If the points don't arrive tomorrow as promised, I may change my mind, but don't expect this to be a problem...

-JC

[mahlers]

I've had the same problem with the points on my 84" BB by Midwest. I lost three of them within the first hour of use, and a couple others had broken welds and were just hanging onto the shanks by a thread. New ones only cost about $3 each, so I didn't argue when they wouldn't replace them for free, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth since I didn't think these things would bust so easily.

I haven't gotten around to installing the new points yet, but they do look a lot different than the ones that busted. Let's hope they hold up better.

[nomad]

I take my shield and put my helmet on my head, and say

Made In USA [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[JerryG]

It's been on here before.

[8561]

There have been other posts about Midwest teeth breaking, but I've never had the issue with mine, and I've used it quite a bit in rocky soil. Doesn't mean it won't happen to me. In general, though, the Midwest stuff is considered by most to be top quality, and I've been very satified with both of my Midwest implements. I've never heard of any other complaints.

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue">They did lots of things "right" and I am very satisfied with the purchase and experience, save this bump in the road </font>

Dont be too hard on the Mfgr or Dealer, as long as they are trying to correct the problem in a fair and equitable way. Almost all machines, and all brands, have had, or will have these type issues arise once and a while. I bet the Dealer and Mfgr are probably more annoyed than you and are working to correct the problem. As a disclaimer, I dont have any "Midwest" equipment in inventory and dont have a axe to grind here--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 1000 Pieces of New and Used Equipment at 2 Stores in Ky*

[VAChesterfield]

Same problem with my new Midwest 5" BB. 15 min into using it to grade light loamy soil with small roots, I lose a tooth. Like you, my dealer was quick to replace, and UPSed without complaint. However, it cost me $20 to have the tooth welded onto the shaft, so I am not a completely happy camper. I do not plan on purchasing any more MW implements. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[rozett]

I had this same problem back in October. We have very rocky soil here in Maine, left by the glaciers. My BB was relabeled by Corriher, but was built by Midwest. Corriher quickly offered to replace the tips at no cost to me (including shipping). I had the new ones hard welded to the scarifiers.

I used the BB to clear a couple of acres after the timber was cut and stumps pulled. I collected a lot of slash and numerous rocks....some approaching a half ton. I have worked it very hard and it has performed well. Two of the scarifiers are at the welder's shop as we speak. Because the tips were hard welded, the scarifiers snapped. One was done in by a stump and the other by a large boulder. But in the end, I was more determined than the stump or boulder.

Corriher was first class in how they handled it!!! And the Midwest BB has been a first class implement!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[KiotiJohn]

I have the 4' boxblade made by Midwest for Kioti and have put it through it's paces many times with no breaks I'm happy to say. I've found it to be very well made. I remember when Mahlers had his problems. I'm just happy I got one without the problems. John

[Gary_in_Indiana]

My first implement was one of the first ones made by Midwest for First Choice back in the day. I have more than put it through it's paces for three years now and even found things like buried concrete and worse with it. I was brought me to a jarring stop a couple times but didn't even damage the cap on the scarifier tooth. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]