Howse Implement’s? 48” Box Blade and a 72” Landsc

[TBone]

I've got several pieces of Howse equipment - mostly because of convenience. I work a few miles from the Howse factory. I can stop by there on my way home and they have it loaded on my trailor before I can write the check. Same for parts. I have never needed anything that they didn't have readily available at a reasonable price.

I do have a box blade - I do not have a rake. The box blade meets my needs and I would buy another one again. It is built on the light side, as are most of the Howse implements. As Jerry said, they make a rotary cutter (I have one of those too) that could be mounted on a dozer and used for a battering ram.

Howse had some serious quality problems (especially on their rotary cutters) a few years ago and it hurt their reputation with a lot of folks. I'd say for the past 10 years they have put out a pretty good product. I have found their stuff to be a good value for the $$$ but if I didn't live where I live I would probably shop around more than I do.

TBone

 

[Von]

I have both a Howse 5' rotary cutter and a 6' rake with wheels. The cutter I got used for $175, and it had been abused. I took it apart and re welded it where needed and reinforced it as well, plus new paint. That was six years ago, and it has held up just fine. The rake I picked up new at Central Tractor for $100.00 when they were changing over to King Kutter. It was missing the top brackets for the 3 pt hitch, lift pins, two tines and the wheels missing from the arms for the guide wheel kit. I think they used this one for parts when they needed some. They gave me new pins, I just made the rest up and repainted the red as it was rusting already. The rake has been used and abused by me and my neighbors and friends. The only thing that has been tweaked are the light duty wheels and tires I used. A friend was using it and stated that the weld holding the wheel halves together broke. I didn't see them, but I only paid $5.00 per wheel from Harbor Freight. He just got new ones and put them on, and they have been fine ever since. If you are not using the rake to make a living, and can fix the minor tweaks that might happen. Than the Howse rake should be fine. Do you have a TSC near you? I know that the one near me has KK rakes priced very close to the Howse brand, and there would be no shipping.

 

[Buck]

I have a Howse 54" tiller. It is quite nice compared to many of the competing brands. Very heavy for 54", >750 lbs and can operate pushing durt forward or backward.

I have also had good luck ording blades (tiller) from Howse.

Here is a photo:

 

[stevenw]

Well folks,

Very mixed emotions here about Howse.

Looks like I answered my own question based on the ability to search back on the forum under Howse. Exhausted 3 hours last night reading. It would appear Howse sells good equipment at a fair price and bad equipment that isn’t fair at any price. Unless you can look at the quality of the implement prior to purchasing (and I can’t), you should stay clear. 1 thread here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/implement/Number/296133/page/0/view//sb/5/o/all/fpart/all/vc/1

It looks like the Midwest is good quality based on what I read. Good welds/workmanship and powder coated paint. Does anyone disagree?

Same question with Land Pride. Looks like good quality, little more expensive but I don’t think they powder coat.

I think I will probably end up buying local and getting the Land Pride or buy from Corriher and get the Midwest shipped. The Midwest prices 158.00 less than the Land Pride.

What do you folks think?

Steve