Tiller "DARK HORSE" Tillers

IslandTractor · Sep 6, 2008

Highbeam said:
You get all the cool toys IT.

There are unintended benefits to impulse buying. Besides I have to keep up with my buddies on TBN. Buying bargains helps too.

Maybe my motto should be "He who has the most implements when he dies, wins."

Capt. Bob · Sep 6, 2008

I bought a DH landscape rake yesterday at my local Tractor Supply. The guy told me they were closing out the whole line and would not be selling any more. I got the rake for $300. Every thing else in the yard had a sold tag on it except a 6ft. box blade. I asked why and he said they were not working out for some reason. Probably had something to do with being such a close copy of the KK line. He said all the TSS were doing the same thing. Go figure.

IslandTractor · Sep 6, 2008

I'm not sure any of these local TSC guys know what the story is. Hard to imagine they are closing out the DH line after introducing it only a month or two ago. Makes more sense that they are test marketing it and taking a wait and see approach pending some data analysis to decide whether they will import more.

The good news is that as they are knock offs of KK it should not be difficult to get parts.

Rusty · Sep 6, 2008

IslandTractor said:
The good news is that as they are knock offs of KK it should not be difficult to get parts.

I was at the TSC in Bay City, MI Thursday and looked for DH implements. They had a boom pole and a middle buster. I asked the assistant manager what kind of feedback they were getting, and she said, "None." I asked if they were going to be getting more implements. She said that they already had rotary cutters, but they were holding them because of a problem. She went on to say that DH parts are supposed to be interchangeable with KK, but they are not.

Doug in NNY · Sep 6, 2008

A wide array of DH implements are available at TSC Watertown NY. I was looking for a four-foot tiller for my BX2350. They have only five-foot and six-foot. Everything DH is much less expensive than every other brand in stock. 3ph boom poles, side by side: DH $50, something in yellow, $90. 3ph L-platforms (add your own wood): DH $70, a yellow one $130. They looked identical other than paint. What's that about?

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Kubota BX2350 (20 hours), LA-243 loader, 54" MMM, Markham tooth bar, Redland Hill 3ph Handi-Hitch, 1979 Troy-Bilt Horse 8HP tiller, Stihl 026-Pro chain saw (replaced an 041AV I used for 30 years - not a FarmBoss, the older red housing, not orange).

In a former life I had a 1940? Case DC tractor, then a 1952 Ford 8N, then a JD 850. None for twenty years and now a BX2350.

Capt. Bob · Sep 7, 2008

When I unloaded my DH landscape rake off the truck yesterday I noticed a broken tine. I also saw that the broken ends had factory paint on both surfaces so that meant it was assembled that way. I took it back to the TSC store where I bought it. The manager knocked off another $100 dollars if I would keep it. He said he got a notice from the home office that all TSC stores would not be getting any more DH stuff and to close out all remaining stock with the understanding that parts would not be available through TSC stores. The end result is I got a 71" landscape rake for $200. I compared the tines to a KK and they are close to the same except the KK tines are a little longer in the front. While I was there I ordered a KK finish mower for my new tractor. I was told I would aquire an "attachment aditiction".

BJN644 · Sep 7, 2008

I have noticed people comparing the Dark Horse stuff to King Kutter. The TSC in my area has all Farm Force implements with the exception of the tillers which are KK. Is it possible that Farm Force may be the next stocking brand at TSC?

Big Daddy · Sep 7, 2008

Buyer beware! I bought the 6' DH tiller on Wednesday for $900. On Saturday, after less than one hour of use, I now have 3 broken tines and 2 external bolts that are sheared completely off. Also, the seal on the underside of the top gearbox is leaking fluid. The manager at the TSC store could only order some replacement tines for me at a discounted cost. He said that TSC would no longer carry or support the DH line. Oh well, at least I "saved" some money. From now on I stick to the tried and true equipment.

George

IslandTractor · Sep 7, 2008

Big Daddy said:
Buyer beware! I bought the 6' DH tiller on Wednesday for $900. On Saturday, after less than one hour of use, I now have 3 broken tines and 2 external bolts that are sheared completely off.
George

Ouch. We may need to award you a purple tractor award for taking one for the team. I'll have to reconsider as I haven't picked up mine yet.

Rara Avis · Sep 8, 2008

Big Daddy said:
Buyer beware! I bought the 6' DH tiller on Wednesday for $900. On Saturday, after less than one hour of use, I now have 3 broken tines and 2 external bolts that are sheared completely off. Also, the seal on the underside of the top gearbox is leaking fluid. The manager at the TSC store could only order some replacement tines for me at a discounted cost. He said that TSC would no longer carry or support the DH line. Oh well, at least I "saved" some money. From now on I stick to the tried and true equipment.

George

Time for a craiglist ad...

Sorry to hear of your problems...