Anyone have a Howse Middle Buster?

[flenn]

I just received mine from Northern Tool and attempted to install it tonight. This is the first time I've taken off the ballast box and attempted to install an attachment on my new to me Kubota B7500. After a little struggle, I got the middle buster on, but it's too long. With the hitch all the way up, the shovel is just about even with the ground. If I try to drive, it will scrape any uneven surface (including my paved driveway!). I think I may be able to tilt it by disconnecting the top link. This will at least allow me to get to my destination but it looks like the long term solution is to cut the shovel shaft. Not looking forward to that because it's a lot of steel. Anyone else run into this problem?

 

[KennyV]

Sounds like your top link is too long. Get a shorter one if the one you have will not adjust short enough. KennyV.

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> I got the middle buster on, but it's too long. With the hitch all the way up, the shovel is just about even with the ground... </font>

My King Kutter middle buster is the same way. I see it as an advantage! This way, the 3 pt is all the way up, but the middle buster is touching the ground... This means I will get more depth when the 3 pt is lowered all the way.

<font color="blue"> I think I may be able to tilt it by disconnecting the top link. This will at least allow me to get to my destination but it looks like the long term solution is to cut the shovel shaft. </font>

That's what I do-- I disconnect the top link until I reach the point where need to cut my trench, and then reconnect it.

Take several shallow cuts instead of attempting one deep cut.
Good Luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[flenn]

Well, I used it today it and did fine. Actually, I was really impressed with how effective this tool is to dig a trench.

I guess I do like the fact that I have the option to go down really deep with a few passes (like AndyM says), but I wish I didn't have to disconnect the top link when transporting. Oh well, can't have it all.

 

[cisco]

Just play with the angle of the plow as determined by your top link, and you should be able to motor around your property without issue. I've had a Howse unit for about 4 year, and it, with the subsoiler option, has aided my construction of small drainage ditches, and of pipelaying. Have a good time.

 

[Boone]

What size pipe would you be able to lay with a middle buster? Would I be able to put down 4" drain tile?

 

[johnk]

I dug some ditches last week with mine..

 

[johnk]

Another

 

[johnk]

Last year I put in 4" corrugated drain and it dug deep enough to give me a slight pitch. I go slow on the first pass then I go over the same ditch at about twice the speed to really clear the dirt to the sides of the blade. I'm happy with it.

 

[cisco]

Depends on depth and type of soil. I can get to a depth of about 12", but need to go over the trench 2-3 times in my soil to get most (but not all - takes shovel work also) of the dirt out - softer dirt, and sandy soil, tends to fall back into the trench. As to width - the plow is pointed, but by angling the tip forward, you can get a flatter bottom to the trench - say 6" (I have NOT measured such, but have laid 2" pipe with lots of room to spare).
Now, if you're located "up north", and it's water, not electrical stuff, that you need to bury, a middle buster is inappropriate - will not get you below the soil freeze line.