First Choice Vs Kingkutter

[jasonf]

Now I have gone AND DONE IT......

I went and got a KingKutter 5' rotary cutter and got it home and the paint finish on this thing is a joke. Some spots have paint sags from being sprayed too heavily, while other parts are barely covered with paint.

The instructions that come with it are filled with gramatical/spelling errors and the lift pins are WAY to high, my 2710 gets it about 1 foot off the ground. The parts picture shows a U shaped piece but it does not show where to install it on the cutter !!!! I go to the KK website and it show the thing installed pointing straight up. This piece is supposed to alow the toplink to swing as the cutter floats along cutting brush. Now I just spoke to the First choice people and they say they are going to beginning shipping Monday. I am thinking of taking this thing back to TSC and getting the First choice RC30-60. Does anybody have one and are they any good. The company sounds like they are trying to get something good off the ground here, I am waiting for them to get back to me on Monday. Oh BTW when I called the KK people they say to 'throw that piece away it does not work well, go without it'. But that leaves me with a machine that will not float. What do you guys think ?????

 

[Ozarker]

I think I would take it back.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Jason, I bought a First Choice box blade and was very happy with it. The fit and finish are easily superior to KK and probably superior to anyone else in the marketplace. My Deere green powdercoat on my box blade was so shiny when I took a picture of it to post here you could even seen the grain of the pallet it was on in the reflection. Now, I know that's seldom a 'requirement' for a box blade, but it was kind of neat. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I don't know how the rotary mowers are because, as you said, they aren't shipping yet. I don't know how they compare in price, either, but if the box blades are any indication you might pay a little more for the First Choice but you'll be so much happier with it you'll be glad you did.

I'm getting a light duty 5' rotary cutter from First Choice and expect it to be vastly superior to the KK alternative. I sincerely doubt I'll be disappointed. I would imagine you'd have the same experience I expect.

 

[DK35vince]

Gary,
That is one nice thing about the King Kutter attachments.
The paint is already bad so I don't really care about scratchs./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That's true. To borrow from another thread here, the finish on those come pre-FUBAR'ed. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[bnixon]

Just got my First Choice Box Blade and RFM. Not even in the same catagory as KK. The only comparison between the two is the price. You will not be disapointed with the First Choice cutter!

 

[jasonf]

The RFM that you bought from First Choice, how was the price of it compared to something similar from KK. I was very diasappointed with the KK. It probably would work fine cutting brush, but is certainly a 'No frills' product. I really don't like the problem with the top link attachment. I really think I need the swinging toplink attachment. I like the way the First Choice designed the supports to 'fold' to allow the toplink attachment point to give when the rear of the cutter needs to go up or down.

 

[bnixon]

jasonf,

I think they are about the same price. Maybe a little more, I can't remember what the KK were going for but I want to say it was basically the same price.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That's pretty much my recollection, too. The First Choice was a little more money than the KK but the difference in quality was huge. I think a more fair comparison might be comparing the First Choice to something like LandPride. I believe the quality levels are far more comparable though I still give the nod to First Choice. Compare those prices and you'll really get a good idea how much better value the First Choice is. Value is far more important than price when purchasing equipment and First Choice represents a far better value.

 

[bnixon]

I second what Gary_in_Indiana sayes.

The First Choice unit is a improved Land Pride rear discharge unit. I was going to get the Land Pride RFM until I looked into First Choice. I got a better cutter at about 30% less than the Land Pride unit.

 

[jasonf]

Based on what you guys are saying, I am going to return the KK and wait to hear back from First Choice. It does not appear that there are any dealers close to me, does anybody know if they ship direct ?

 

[bnixon]

Give Pieter a call and I am sure they can either find a dealer that can ship to you directly or work out other arrangments.

 

[jasonf]

The guy who answered the phone at First Choice said they would probably call me back on Monday as they were going to a show to display their products. I can hardly wait till then /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Based on all the positive email and pictures of other FC Products that people have already bought, I have a good feeling. They seem to really be interested in our opinions (manuals post) and are saying/doing all the right things so far.

 

[cchoate]

I am looking at a 4' rotary cutter purchase in the next month but I have a different view on this topic. I realize that KK is not a top of the line brand, but for someone who will only use a implement 10 times a year, I will go with KK.
There are no FC dealers anywhere around me but there is a TSC 8 miles away. I know I can get parts, my TSC has very helpful and knowledgeble people. I bought a dirt scoop there and it's performed well, although the paint job is poor.
I'm sure FC is a good brand, but I never buy anything that's first generation.

 

[BrettW]

Anyone out there got a ball park price for a 5' FC RDM? thanks, bw

 

[Kodiak]

Try contacting Tdenny a member here on TBN. I know he is negotiating for a 5' First choice rear finish mower.

 

[Inspector507]

Jasonf,
After having looked at several pieces of First Choice equipment today at the EXPO,almost side by side with the KK units, I would have a First Choice in a heartbeat.
The KK units were inside the EXPO building and the FC units were outside. I must have made a dozen trips in and out. Hearing Pieter and JimMc tell me what they do to make these attachments all look the same in fit and finish was impressive.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I know just what you mean about the fit and finish. I actually took my First Choice box blade over to my local TSC to look at them side-by-side. The difference was laughable.

 

[jasonf]

I had the same feeling when I reseached a Rotary. However the KK Paint and attention to detail are a joke. There are parts of the top where the only paint on the metal is overspray from the flat surface next to it. Be VERY careful about getting this cutter other people on this forum have warned me that the Lift pins are too high. The lift pins that hook into the 3pt arms are WAY too high. My 2710 will only lift the cutter about 10 inches off the ground in the front. That may sound like it is enough, but when you move the tractor and the front rises up over a mound of dirt the mover is in the ground. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif Be advised that the toplink attachment point is not 'swingable', it is a fixed point even though they include a piece to enable it to swing. (KK told me to throw it away as they admit it does not work). BTW the tailwheel does not even rotate as delivered, I will have to spread the fork apart and adjust the bolt to get it right /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif. The FC cutter is supposed to be priced to compete with KK. I will let you know what kind of price I get from FC since I have heard that they may ship direct if there is not local dealer and others have raved about the fit and finish......

 

[JohnS]

All the KK tail wheel needs is to loosen the bolt some. They ship them tight for they don't rotate. I have been running mine with the tail wheel in the lowest position. The swing link only provides a little give. I didn't gouge the ground, but have been running mine high because this is the first time I am cutting this field and don't know where the surprises are. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Even though my tractor wouldn't be called a subcompact, I can lift it plenty far off the ground. In the fully raised position, going down hill, I had the lip of the deck, just scrub the back of the tire. Moved the pins to inside and keep the sway adjusters tight, and it just clears by an inch or two. Eventually, I will lower the pins some.

Mowed about 3 acres of very high weeds, berry briars, some multi-floral rose, and other brush. Working fine, so far. Overall I am happy with it. I agree the paint is far from the best.