ATTACHMENT BRANDS

[RSKY]

Looking to buy a CUT this month. Several dealers are offering package deals with tractor, loader, tiller or rotary cutter, and box blade. I am looking at the packages but also at buying the tractor and loader then getting attachments elsewhere.

I intend to have a tiller, box blade, rotary mower, and a trailer to move them on.

How would you rank the attachment brands. King Kutter, Land Pride, Howse, etc.

I have no experience with any of them.

RSKY

 

[ZDB]

We have a KK 72" tiller and a Farm Force 72" rotary cutter.
The tiller has been a durable and useful tool for light commercial cultivation of 20 year vacant farm land.

The mower is pretty light duty and has required maintenance and repairs including rewelding of the axle to the wheel bracket, replacement of defective grease fittings, and replacement of a pto shaft that failed before the shear bolt.
If you are mowing more than just grass or ocassional light brush I'd buy a heavier duty mower.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Looking to buy a CUT this month. Several dealers are offering package deals with tractor, loader, tiller or rotary cutter, and box blade. I am looking at the packages but also at buying the tractor and loader then getting attachments elsewhere.

I intend to have a tiller, box blade, rotary mower, and a trailer to move them on.

How would you rank the attachment brands. King Kutter, Land Pride, Howse, etc.

I have no experience with any of them.

RSKY

I think King Cutter is mid-range, and LandPride is on the upper end....Not sure about Howse...

 

[Chilly807]

I'd agree with Kyle. Land Pride is up-scale, not to say the best, but good quality. Unfortunately the price reflects that, too much so for many of us. Them being in bed with Kubota hasn't helped the price situation one iota in my opinion.

Sean

 

[arsenix2001]

Im a woods fan myself, but got dam its pricey.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think King Cutter is mid-range, and LandPride is on the upper end....Not sure about Howse...

Howse is Canadian and pretty high end. Similar to Woods, Land Pride, Rhino, Bush Hog.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont know where you got the info that Howse is Canadian. They are in Laurel Mississippi, about as far from Canada as you can get and still be in the USA. Howse makes some tough equipment and in just about any price range. I think they have the highest gear box rating for their rotary cutters on the market especially for their light duty models. The sheet metal is thin on the light duty in any brand and you get what you pay for. I have a medium duty 6 foot Howse mower and have pretty much beat up the sheet metal with the rocks and trees I hit, but everything else has held up great. With any equipment, you need to watch those package deals as they will put in the light duty stuff that sounds like a good price. I think the Howse mowers for instance on 6 footer start at about $800 and go up above $2K for heavy duty. I think Woods and all the others do the same thing. IF the equipment offered has a cheap price, then it probably is light duty. This may be OK for your service and only you can determine if you want to pay the premium price for Heavy duty. I also bought a medium duty Howse box blade and it has stood up well against my 50 HP and now my 72 Hp tractor. I have actually bent the Cat 1 pins on it when I hung a big tree root but didnt hurt the box blade other than twist the scarifier tooth which I was able to sledge hammer back straight. Check the gear box rating on rotary cutters, the sheet metal thickness on the top and sides, frame stiffeners(light duty ones have minimal stiffeners). This applies to all equipment that you buy. They may look the same at first glance but steel costs $$$ so the more of it you have in the equipment, the more it is going to cost you. IMO CUT owners rarely need heavy duty box blade as the medium duty will stand up to all the HP that they can shove at it. Staight blades need some weight to function, so you may need heavier than the light duty stuff offered. Assess your needs and buy what fits your needs. You dont need a tank when an ATV will service your needs. Internet is your friend and Tractorhouse.com will give you some useful info on different brands and prices.

 

[JoeinTX]

I have a light duty Howse 5' and for the money I am not disappointed. It's perfectly fine for pasture shredding and light brush and random heavier use. But it's not a land clearing tool and neither are most of the standard light equivalents from the other makes. Personally, I think Howse is a notch or so above King Kutter and the service from company so far has been more than acceptable. Although, KK tillers seems to have a reputation of their own from observations here and elsewhere with a lot of positives about them.

On the upper end, I have used Dale Phillips and Bush Hog and both are fine and obviously heavier than the lighter econo models.

If I were just wishing and spending imaginary money I'd probably go with Woods.

 

[TripleR]

My preference is for Land Pride and Woods, but KK, Howse and others make good equipment and will serve you well.

 

[RalphVa]

I bought a JD rotary cutter with the tractor. It's been good. No problems, except for the cheesy cheap check plug for the oil. I replaced it with a regular bolt. Replaced the shear bolt 2 or 3 times.

Later bought a Frontier back blade from the dealer. It's been a good one. No problems. Saw lots of action last winter with our record 56" of snow here.

Bought a MacKissic chipper/shredder. It's a dandy, easy to work on. Haven't really had any bog downs that shut it down like used to happen on the old TroyBilt. LOTS easier to maintain than the TroyBilt. DR stuff is Mac made.

The carryall is a KK. Not too much to go wrong on it; I guess. It's the only one that isn't green.

Ralph