Brand names vs generic??

Anonymous Poster · Apr 5, 2003

In looking at various ground/cleaning implements, it would seem there are 2 major brands (in this area anyway) Landpride and Woods and lots of different minor brands around. The minor brands seem slightly less well made although not obviously crappy. The major brands seem a little nicer made and a few pounds heavier (according to their specs anyway). Since the major brands are usually 50% to 100% more, the question boils down to whether the major brands will hold up that much better over the long run, be worth more at resale, etc. Sometimes the cheapest is the best value, sometimes a more expensive thing is really a better value. Just bought a rake this week (landpride), for example, and was told the spring steel in the tines was more flexible, held its shape better etc. than the cheaper ones. True/false? So . . . any thoughts/experience on whether the well known brand names are, in fact, a better value (such as items like rakes, blades, etc.)????
JEH

Anonymous Poster · Apr 5, 2003

grimreaper,
You were reading my mind. Thought I might as well hitch hike on to your thread as we are asking the same question.
I just got on to post a question about the quality of a Howse landscape rake. The dealer wants $425 for a Woods lrc60 rake for a SUBCUT (I have a bx2200) and $185 for the wheel kit ($610 total+ tax). Northern Tool has the Howse 5' rake for $250 and $120 for the wheel kit ($370 + frt.). Decisions, decisions??
Since I'm new at this I'm not sure either. I did buy a Woods box blade (GBC) becauce the Howse top link bracket looked light compared to the Woods. I plan on using the box extensively and didn't want a marginal unit. But I'm wavering between the two rakes because I don't know whether there is a real advantage in going to Woods for a rake. Is tine quality a prime consideration?? Other than the tine quality is there a real, measurable difference between the two? I'm not sure but would like to get some feedback also before making a decision.
Thanks in advance,
DaveL
OOPS, forgot to ask this; on a a short wheel base tractor ( <font color="orange"> (Kubota bx2200) </font> are the wheel kits more important to getting a good finish?? I am assuming that a short wheel base machine will follow small contour changes and not give as flat a finish.

Bird · Apr 5, 2003

Personal opinion? Depends on your use and needs. If I were using the implements every day, as in a business, I'd probably want the heavy duty name brand. For personal or homeowner use, the cheaper ones may very well be a better deal. I never bought a landscape rake myself, but when I was considering it, my dealer had an expensive name brand rake in stock, but told me of another brand that he could get for me for half the price and said he'd sold a lot of the cheaper ones, no complaints, and that he personally could not tell any difference in them.

Casimir · Apr 5, 2003

I'm not sure the difference is between "Brand Names" and "generic," but there definitely is a difference in quality between brands. I have a Leinbach 72" rake with guide wheels, which cost be about what Dave says he was quoted for the Woods 60" rake - $620 +/- a little. I went with it because it seemed to be very sturdily built (heavier metal throughout) than some other "cheaper" brands. I have been using it to rake up roots from a land clearing operation and smoothing up tracks left by the Track Loader - it does a good job, and the tines seem to spring back to their original shape, even after hitting rocks or stumps too heavy to rake up /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

Using the rake without the wheels is faster and a little more maneuverable in tight areas, but the wheels really help to smooth out the ups and downs. My 1520 doesn't have a much longer wheelbase than a BX -- just taller. Since I am too lazy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif to switch back and forth very often, I usually just leave the wheels on.

When I went shopping for a box blade, I settled on the Bush Hog SBX60. Again, it just seemed to be made of heavier metal (3/8 inch end plates, rather than 1/4 inch, for instance) and was compatible with my TSC Quick Hitch without any modification. The hitch frame was all welded to the box frame, rather than bolted on, also. Some of the less expensive brands seemed like they would bend up easier and would have required some modification to work easily with my Quick Hitch. With a box blade, extra weight really is an advantage, because it helps the blade cut into the soil better. The box blade cost me $400 - about $50 more than Leinbach's United Box Blade brand.

Are Leinbach and Bush Hog "Brand Names" or "generic?" /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Guess it depends on who you are talking to.

RobS · Apr 5, 2003

I think it all has to do with your intended useage. A professional landscaper will probably wear/break a "generic" brand tool but will appreciate the extra metal and strength of a "name brand". Just like any other tool.

On the other hand, my "brand name" John Deere 513 rotary cutter is a piece of junk. It's still working for me, but the sheet metal is pretty beat up after minimal use. From what I've seen of the "generic" King Kutter rotary cutters the metal is quite a bit heavier than mine. I've not looked at Bush Hog/Woods but I've heard they are heavier yet.

So it's not just about the "brand name". The consumer has to evaluate his/her intended use then evaluate the offerings available against that use /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

normde2001 · Apr 5, 2003

In my opinion, the difference between "brand name" and "generic" is advertising. I have purchased 3 implements for home use, a rotary cutter, a box blade and a dirt scoop. I think the cutter has a sticker that says "Razor", the box blade says "A.T.L.A.S. and I was told the scoop is a "Lowery" and I think all were probably built in somebody's garage in Ga. or Al. I have 1-2 years use on all and they couldn't be better. If you like the price and it looks good and is convenient, buy it.

HayDR · Apr 5, 2003

There are levels of quality in MFG companies and many small manufacturers make high quality stuff. Take for instance, Woods landscape equipment was less than average until they purchased Gill, Gannon, & York. Woods was a cutter company and purchased their landscape equipment designs by purchasing these small companies. Take for instance Midwest, many of the same components that Woods, Landpride, Rhino, and Bush Hog uses, Midwest also uses the same manufacturer. Landpride copied the Midwest core aerator and asks twice the money for the same unit. Now which companies are the generic manufacturers ? Most consumers know only about the market in a 50 mile radius from their domicile. Likely the Frontier marketing label is more of a generic because Frontier is not a manufacturer. Frontier, only a marketing label used by JD because most consumers realize that many of Deere's products are overpriced and are only average products with a good paint job. Brand loyalty and pride forces some consumers to choose Name Brand products that are not as advanced as the generic products available. If it works and a customer is satisfied, likely that consumer will never know if a better value is available unless they see their neighbor's equipment out performing their own equipment.

JimMc · Apr 5, 2003

As to the question of rake tines, most manufacturers use one of two companies. The first, and best in my opinion, is in Italy. The second is in India.

The India tines thus far have less quality control and vary both in dimension of the stock they are made from and the radius of the curve. In addition they vary in material, some bend rather than spring, some break. But, they are improving. Go with the Italian.

The exception to this is York. It is my understanding York makes their own and have the best quality control. If I could buy them for our rakes, I would. (I did try though)

Anonymous Poster · Apr 6, 2003

<font color="red"> Northern Tool has the Howse 5' rake for $250 and $120 for
the wheel kit ($370 + frt.). Decisions, decisions?? </font>

Hello davel--We have been selling equipment for over 26 years and have had first hand experience with"Howse/HiCo" quality in the past. The quality would vary from load to load--sometimes we would unload all new equipment in the shop area because the entire load of equipment had to be rewelded as some of the seams were completely missed by the robots--On the other hand, about 50% of the time the quality was ok--When we could afford to step up and improve our product presentation to our customers. we stopped selling that brand. We do still sell a lot of repair parts for those Implements.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.--"Hay Harvesting Specialists"

Anonymous Poster · Apr 6, 2003

Thanks all for your replies. Getting insight from those who use this equipment as well as manufacturers and distributors is part of what makes TBN a great site.
Now how do I get that well built generic (cheapie) rake with those good Italian tines /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif???
DaveL