Howse vs. King Kutter

[DAP]

Can anyone give an informative comparison of these 2 lines of products? I know they are 2nd Tier .... but how do their post hole diggers or rotary cutters for example compare from a qualitative level.

They seem to similar pricing structures ...

Thanks folks ...

 

[thatguy]

Im sure someone else will chime in here.. and there have been other posts discussing the same thing..

My take from reading past posts from spending last weekend spending several hours researching buying a KK/Howse rotory mower vs a JD/frontier brand.. I think both KK and Howse are very similary in quality - and both will more than likely do what you want them to do, but you just cant abuse them as bad as a heavier, better quality mowers.

The KK had a very poor paint quality and will probably already be rusted by the time you get it home. They do not come with a slip clutch (~$65 online or $100 locally and you have to install it). There are no safety chains you can buy for it, you will have to make your own. The sheet metal is not as thick and therefore will show dents/dings easily. The mower deck is not made for water to run off, so it would likely pool and start to rust if left outdoors.

The Howse (IMHO) has a much better paint job, and does have chain kits available for them (from about $130 and up depending on size). it does not come with a slip clutch either. The sheet metal is also not as thick and water would pool on it as well.

I was seriously considering the howse over a LX4. the dealer was pricing the lx4 at around $900 - 1,000 - Northern tool had a 4' for $699, plus $130 for chains, plus the slip clutch ($65/$100 which i would have to install myself). - lowest cost would be $894 to $929. I would also have to borrow a trailer and go get the mower myself..

Good luck with your decions.. A LOT of ppl have purchased either and have gotten great service out of them.. But like a lot of things "your mileage will vary".. LOL

Brian

 

[Soundguy]

I've had Ford and JD rotary mowers as well as KK and howse. No doubt the 'name' brand mowers were tough stuff.. and had a tough price tag.

I pulled a 5' kk behind a tractor rated for a 6' mower for 6ys.. then traded that tractor and relegated the 5' mower to something more it's size.. an 8n.. and have been mowing with it for another couple years. Paint is just a tad faded.. but it is otherwise in great shape. I've probably put a box of shear bolts thru it in its life.. but it's holding up fine.

My howse is a bigger on.. on of their HD series.. a 10' model. It too was pulled behind a tractor rated for a much larger mower.. a NH 7610s. Mowed with it for a couple years that way and then moved it over to a slightly lower hp tractor.. my ford 5000. It't gets less use now but also is still running fine after 3 years with noting more than a bolt that came loose.. and that's my fault cause i assembled it. both are pictured below.

I paid real reasonable prices for those mowers when i bought them.. I think about 500$ for the 5'kk from tsc and 2450 for the 10' howse mower from an auction/dealer ( mower was new/never sold ). I couldn't touch any o fthe name brand mowers for that price range. I don't exactly squeak when i walk.. but I'm pretty tight with my money...

Soundguy

Can anyone give an informative comparison of these 2 lines of products? I know they are 2nd Tier .... but how do their post hole diggers or rotary cutters for example compare from a qualitative level.

They seem to similar pricing structures ...

Thanks folks ...

 

[Ford850]

I've looked at both, and bought a KK 6' rotary cutter from TSC. Used it for 3 years so far. I've put it through a lot of heavy work and it has been a great cutter. BUT... if doing it again I would compare to Howse closer. I noticed TSC has changed manufacturers and they are no longer KK brand. The rotary cutters look lighter to me. They no longer have the heavy 'I' beam sides for example. The new brand landscape rakes look much better than the KK though. They have double bolted tines and appear to be heavier to me. Look close at both brands.

 

[agford4x4]

When i was shopping for cutters i started looking at all brands and their specs. When you get into the medium and heavy duty shredders, i am pretty certain a "2nd tier" will hold up just as well and take just a much a beating as your bush hog and other brands. As for the john deere shredders....well, they are green and they say "john deere" on them....thats why they are expensive. I ended up with a Mohawk brand that was less than the bush hogs but built identically except for the tail wheel which i though was designed much better. I put it against a 296 BH any day.

So....the point is look at the specs, everything else is just nuts and bolts.

 

[mike194]

Sound guy,

from your photo of your king kutter mower it looks as if you are missing something, the way it is hooked up currently if you were to drive into a valley the toplink would bind and may bend something. my king kutter mower has a little piece welded to the bottom of the U to prevent the pivoting link to get in a position like yours.

Just an FYI don't want you to break anything.

 

[Soundguy]

That is the new design.. the old design didn't have the tab.. I just run a bunji thru it and it holds it inthe up postition when relaxed.

soundguy

 

[AndyMA]

Sound guy,

from your photo of your king kutter mower it looks as if you are missing something, the way it is hooked up currently if you were to drive into a valley the toplink would bind and may bend something. my king kutter mower has a little piece welded to the bottom of the U to prevent the pivoting link to get in a position like yours.

Just an FYI don't want you to break anything.

I've run the old design for over 30 years and never had a problem.

Andy

 

[daBear]

I am not in to tillers but I have in the past had two Howse products which were substandard and failed within days. One was a rear scoop and the other was a middle buster. Poor grade steel was the problem in both cases. The KK product I have is great.

 

[john_bud]

Don't forget that both of these companies have multiple grades of products. The light duty from both is, well, quite light. Best for low hp, slow speeds and basically grass or 1/2" brush. But, they have medium or so called heavy models too. Mentally, I put them about 1/2 level down from the name brands, so a heavy duty KK cutter is about the same durability as a Woods or BH medium duty cutter (or a abit below.) Not perfect, but pretty dern good - especially for the $.

King Kutter Incorporated

Typical store models will be the lowest grade - you have to ask for the better stuff. Sadly many folks are satisfied paying less and getting less.

5' H.D. CUTTER W/CLUTCH WO/CHAIN [5100T] - $1,486.00 : Howse Implement Company, Your source for tractor and farm equipment parts and supplies