Howse Box Blade

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

I have just ordered a 5' Cat 1 Howse Box Blade from Northern Tool. I know I am doing this backwards (should have posted first, then ordered /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) but does anyone have any comments on them?

Thanks,
Matt

Bird · May 15, 2003

Just judging my the picture and description in my Northern Tool catalogue, I do believe that's the same box blade I had for my B2710; worked just fine.

19th_VA · May 15, 2003

How much does it weigh and how much did you pay? Now I sound like Jessee Jackson or something.

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2003

It weighs 447 lbs. I had to pay to play /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Total was $432.23. Truck frieght was the killer ... $132.24. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif This was still better than I could get around here though.

I'll try to write a review after I use it.

Northern Tool - Howse Box Blade

TBone · May 16, 2003

Matt,

I bought a 6' Howse BB a couple of weeks ago and it works fine. Not as heavy as some but heavier than some also. I believe it weighs 507 lbs. and cost $350. plus 3% sales tax picked up from their yard. (I work a few miles from there)

I've got several pieces of Howse equipment and I have found most of it to be a pretty good value for the money. If I lived as far away as you and had to pay the big freight charges I would probably shop around more than I do.

TBone

hosejockey2002 · May 18, 2003

I run Howse implements. I found a local dealer that sells them at a reasonable price. When I needed a chain guard for my mower I just called Howse directly and they were very friendly and helpful, and the cost was reasonable.

Anonymous Poster · May 18, 2003

No negative yet, so I guess that is a positive for Howse. Thanks for all the replies. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Matt

BB_TX · May 19, 2003

I have a 5 1/2' BB with no name on it, although it looks exactly like the Howse. It has worked fine for me. There is only one thing I do not like. That is how the rippers lock in place. Rather than a pin that goes thru the ripper shaft, there is a piece of square bar stock that drops in the slot to hold the ripper shaft in place. While doing some rather heavy digging/leveling I looked back to see one of my rippers missing. The bar stock had apparently jumped out letting the ripper fall out. It took a while to find the ripper under all the dirt I had moved. Never did find the bar stock. Had to make a new one. Only happened one time, so not sure if it will be an on-going problem or not.

19th_VA · May 19, 2003

I'm sure the Howse will work fine. It does seem like your price was a bit high. I guess it all depends on what you're going to do with it. I know the more weight the better for a boxblade. Seems like 446# is in the medium heavy range. I bought a Midwest 6' that weighs a bit over 600 lbs. for $430. Let us know how it works--that's the real test.

Anonymous Poster · May 23, 2003

The truck just left after delivering my box blade /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. At first glance I am pretty impressed with the construction, heavy duty. Not so impressed with Northern Tool. It was sitting in the back of the box truck on a pallet, not secured to it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. There were fasteners lying loose on top of the pallet; one nut, bolt & lock washer together and a loose nut and bolt just laying there with no lockwasher. I don't even know if there is supposed to be only two bolts, others could have been lost /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.
They will be getting a letter of complaint.
Probably won't be able to play with it, I mean work with it until next week sometime, if everything is there at least.