JohnMiller3
Elite Member
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- Jan 15, 2001
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- Capital District, Upstate New York
- Tractor
- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
First Choice Vs Kingkutter
- Thread starter jasonf
- Start date
- Views: 5485
JohnS
Platinum Member
I'd be interested in any info on your U bolt mod. Would like to improve mine. Also, did you lower the pins all the way down near the deck, by inlarging the bottom hole? If so, did this cause any other issues? I think that I only need to go about half way between where the pins are now, and the bottom bolt holes.
Mosey
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2002
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- Location
- Conifer, Colorado
- Tractor
- 2000 New Holland TC29D with 7308 FEL, and top & tilt. 1950 John Deere B. 1940 Farmall A.
The link pins are 7/8" and the bolts in the bottom are 5/8", so the bottom holes need to be drilled out if you’re going to put link pins in those holes. I bought a 7/8" drill bit at TSC (I priced a 7/8" drill bit at Lowes and it is $25, and at Sears it is $22, but at TSC it is $17 for a Mibro). It is thick metal, the bracket is 1/2" thick, so the drilling is not an easy task. Fortunately, I have a drill press so I took the brackets off and drilled the holes with the drill press. I was going to drill out the bottom hole and put the pins in the bottom hole like most other people (including my brother) have done, but decided it was a little too low for my tractor, so I just drilled a new hole a couple inches above that. I can lift the mower plenty high enough now and I’ve had no problems with this setup. I just left the original pins where they were and added 2 new ones. Partly because it cost more to buy two 7/8" grade 5 bolts with lock washers and nuts then two hitch pins cost! The other reason is that the bush hog will still fit a larger tractor if need be.
I moved the pivot arm (the U shaped bracket) down to the bolt below it (and moved the other brackets going to the back of the mower to the top bolt). So, now it can swing down below the brackets. This allows it to swing farther back if you go through a ditch or something. You have to make sure your pin is not too long though, or it won’t fit between the brackets. I had trouble with it binding up the first time I tried it (the pin got caught on the bracket) and had to bend the U shaped bracket so the two ends are as close together as they can get while still allowing the top link to fit in between. I also put a spacer on one side of the U shaped bracket on the bolt that it pivots on to keep the end of the pin from hitting the bracket. I hope this helps, if I had a digital camera I would post a picture.
I moved the pivot arm (the U shaped bracket) down to the bolt below it (and moved the other brackets going to the back of the mower to the top bolt). So, now it can swing down below the brackets. This allows it to swing farther back if you go through a ditch or something. You have to make sure your pin is not too long though, or it won’t fit between the brackets. I had trouble with it binding up the first time I tried it (the pin got caught on the bracket) and had to bend the U shaped bracket so the two ends are as close together as they can get while still allowing the top link to fit in between. I also put a spacer on one side of the U shaped bracket on the bolt that it pivots on to keep the end of the pin from hitting the bracket. I hope this helps, if I had a digital camera I would post a picture.
Mosey
Veteran Member
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- Conifer, Colorado
- Tractor
- 2000 New Holland TC29D with 7308 FEL, and top & tilt. 1950 John Deere B. 1940 Farmall A.
I looked at the pictures of the First Choice bush hogs on their web site:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm>http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm</A>
and it looks like they have a good setup for allowing it to pivot where the top link attaches. So, that's one plus compared to the KingKutter. But, the lower hitch pins look just as high as the KingKutter, so they would have to be lowered and the brackets that would need to be drilled are welded to the cutter, so a drill press would not be able to be used, which means it would have to be done with a hand drill and that would be no fun at all!
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm>http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm</A>
and it looks like they have a good setup for allowing it to pivot where the top link attaches. So, that's one plus compared to the KingKutter. But, the lower hitch pins look just as high as the KingKutter, so they would have to be lowered and the brackets that would need to be drilled are welded to the cutter, so a drill press would not be able to be used, which means it would have to be done with a hand drill and that would be no fun at all!
I think you are correct on your assesment of KK. They are a no-frills machine, but I guess I hear FC calling me... If their machine is a few hundred above KK I would spend it, to get better paint, fit and finish. I am someone who is not afaid to do the mods that you have done, I guess that I feel that I shouldn't have to do them. I am glad someone else saw that problem of having the Pin getting caught in the support arms. It just annoyes me that they include a picture of that U piece in the manual but don't show where to assemble it. Why ship it in the first place? Also why not make that U piece 1 inch longer so that when you mount it into the LOWER hole it would not hit the support arms. I capitalize lower because on the KK website it shows it installed in the upper position pointing up at the sky. Come on that is lame.../w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif If FC had not come along I would have stayed with the KK, but now that there may be a low cost alternative, I feel I have to explore it. John is correct as usual, competition does keep 'em honest. The things that KK needs to change to make their product outstanding are small, and now that there is a possible choice, they better get moving...... Thanks to all for your opinions
Inspector507
Super Member
jasonf,
After having seen both manufacturers at the EXPO, FC wins hands down. I also was not impressed with the people staffing the KK Booth.
After having seen both manufacturers at the EXPO, FC wins hands down. I also was not impressed with the people staffing the KK Booth.
Mosey
Veteran Member
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- 2000 New Holland TC29D with 7308 FEL, and top & tilt. 1950 John Deere B. 1940 Farmall A.
jasonf -
I think you're doing the right thing. You're right about not having to modify a brand new piece of equipment - it should not be like that! You're also right about the U shaped bracket, it needs to be an inch or two longer and mounted on the bottom and the manual should say so. I get the impression the folks at KingKutter have gotten complacent, as if they feel like they've done all the work they need to do and now all they have to do is sit back and rake in the dough. But, they're going to find out that it doesn't work like that in today's highly competitive world. First Choice might give them a run for their money - IF they have competitive prices. But, I haven't seen a price yet in any of the posts on First Choice, so I have a feeling they're going to be higher than many of us are expecting and hoping for.
If I hadn't already bought my bush hog and was in the market for one I would surely be looking at the First Choice mowers - if I could find one. It's going to be tough for First Choice to compete with KingKutter because of KingKutter's availability at TSC.
I think you're doing the right thing. You're right about not having to modify a brand new piece of equipment - it should not be like that! You're also right about the U shaped bracket, it needs to be an inch or two longer and mounted on the bottom and the manual should say so. I get the impression the folks at KingKutter have gotten complacent, as if they feel like they've done all the work they need to do and now all they have to do is sit back and rake in the dough. But, they're going to find out that it doesn't work like that in today's highly competitive world. First Choice might give them a run for their money - IF they have competitive prices. But, I haven't seen a price yet in any of the posts on First Choice, so I have a feeling they're going to be higher than many of us are expecting and hoping for.
If I hadn't already bought my bush hog and was in the market for one I would surely be looking at the First Choice mowers - if I could find one. It's going to be tough for First Choice to compete with KingKutter because of KingKutter's availability at TSC.
JohnS
Platinum Member
Thanks for the info. I was thinking of moving the U bracket to that pin, but just to keep spacing between lower pins about the same. I also feel that all the way down to that lower bolts is too much for my tractor. Everything is workable now, but just need to be careful. Once I add the chain guards, I will have to do the mod.
JohnS
Platinum Member
Howse has competed with KK in the value implements for years. But Howse seems about on the same level as quality and design as KK. The FC equipment does look very good, and agree with John3 that competition is good for all. Will give FC a serious look for a rear blade, and other implements, once the tractor fund recovers /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif If FC can stay close to KK prices they will be winners.
JohnS
Platinum Member
Post which TSC you are returning the KK to. Someone here, might be able to grab a slightly used, with full warrantee rotary cutter, at an additional $100 savings or so. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif