Howse Box Blade

[Anonymous Poster]

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]

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]

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

 

[Anonymous Poster]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Matt, I have a 5' BB from Howse and I used it in my Landscaping business for three years and like it just fine. I bought mine from CT Farm and Country before they went south out of business for I believe $325 on sale. Have had the same problem with the pins that hold the bars in place but never lost one ( thank the man upstairs) I had an older 4' Midwest that had the loops on the top bar that you slid a pin through liked that better if I had to change depth often but the Howse has been just fine. I've hit some big roots doing final grade on some houses and never had any failures. Mark /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[washhobby]

Hosejockey cold you give me the info for the local western washington Howse dealer. Thanks

 

[normde2001]

Could the nuts and bolts you found have been what had secured the blade to the pallet before they removed it?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Norm,
Unfortunately not, the 1/2" x 2 3/4" bolts are used to fasten the 3ph mounting plates together (see pic). After visiting the Howse Implement website, I also found that two spacers are missing that keep the plates spread for mounting the top link. I'll just buy some grade 8 bolts and a piece of galv pipe for the spacers until the replacements come. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[normde2001]

If you send a letter of complaint to Northern Tool, (I think they assemble the units prior to sale), I would also copy Howse on the problem. That lack of quality workmanship is inexcusable and makes Howse look bad.

 

[Boone]

The picture looks just like the Howse box blade I picked up new at an auction last week. The bolts were attached to the box, threaded together and the plate arms were wired to the box at the top, all parts were attached lucky for me. My high bidl on the 48 inch hinged back was $220 and no tax. I was pleased.