The galvanized Modern cutters seem to be fine for a lil bit more in $$$. I looked at the KK but like the smoother one piece top of the Modern and the thicker metal plus being galvanized it shouldn't rust.......too bad anyways.
King Kutter 5' rough cut opinons?
- Thread starter GeauxLSU
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gordon21
Veteran Member
Spending the extra $200 will get you a better paint job and some nicer welds. KK paint is pitiful on the dealers lot before the thing has ever been used. Spending $600 more will get you a better machine though.
In the under $700 category, my opinion is that the 5' KK is a great deal. Poor paint, sloppy welds but very sturdy. It is NOT i-match compatable as it comes from the dealer.
In the under $700 category, my opinion is that the 5' KK is a great deal. Poor paint, sloppy welds but very sturdy. It is NOT i-match compatable as it comes from the dealer.
gordon21
Veteran Member
GeauxLSU: This is an i-match quick hitch. That is John Deere's brand name for their version. A similar device is made by others.
iMatch™ Quick Hitch (option)
iMatch™ Quick Hitch (option)
MarkV
Super Member
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I think the KK cutters are good buys for the use you intend. Mine is a 4' and has worked well for the past 3 years. Beware, King Kutter ships all of their gear boxes dry and not every sales person knows to point that out.
MarkV
MarkV
ShookFarm
Bronze Member
I agree with Billy_S. Buy what you can afford and you really don't have any issues. I purchased a 6' KK Rotary Mower for use on pastures with grass, small trees (just sprouting) and blackberry brambles. After 19 hours of use, I have no complaints. The XB stuff is a little on the mild side for use in "rough" environments.
You won't want to cut 2" saplings with any cutter on a regular basis. That is hard on the drive line. Both the gear box on the mower and the PTO on the tractor. The caveat here is, if you use a slip clutch, you won't have nearly as much trouble with the PTO side. I've sheared 3 grade 2 bolts used for the drive shaft on my KK. It's about a 10 minute procedure to take apart the shield, remove the old bolt piece(s), install a new bolt and assemble it all again.
If I had it to do over, it would be about twice as much money for a JD MX6 or somehting similar. I would have a tough time using a JD for cutting in rough terrain paying that kind of price. I'm comfortable with my KK purchase. Good value for the price paid ($810 for 6').
You won't want to cut 2" saplings with any cutter on a regular basis. That is hard on the drive line. Both the gear box on the mower and the PTO on the tractor. The caveat here is, if you use a slip clutch, you won't have nearly as much trouble with the PTO side. I've sheared 3 grade 2 bolts used for the drive shaft on my KK. It's about a 10 minute procedure to take apart the shield, remove the old bolt piece(s), install a new bolt and assemble it all again.
If I had it to do over, it would be about twice as much money for a JD MX6 or somehting similar. I would have a tough time using a JD for cutting in rough terrain paying that kind of price. I'm comfortable with my KK purchase. Good value for the price paid ($810 for 6').
thatguy
Elite Member
Northern Tool has a Howse 4' for $699 - Is the Howse a step up in quality?
JoeinTX
Platinum Member
When looking I narrowed down to KK and Howse, but eventually went with Howse.
A review I wrote on this site:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/reviews/reviews.pl/reviews/196
As well, Howse offers bolt-on chain guard units from the company. KK does not and aren't as easy to configure for them. The Howse is an overall better finished product than the KK but is just a hair lighter. I've hammered away at shrubbery, mesquite/oak sprouts, and the odd old wooden fence post and the thing has done just fine.......still looks like new, too.
A review I wrote on this site:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/reviews/reviews.pl/reviews/196
As well, Howse offers bolt-on chain guard units from the company. KK does not and aren't as easy to configure for them. The Howse is an overall better finished product than the KK but is just a hair lighter. I've hammered away at shrubbery, mesquite/oak sprouts, and the odd old wooden fence post and the thing has done just fine.......still looks like new, too.
jinman
Rest in Peace
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I've owned both the Howse and two King Kutters (well, actually one of the KKs belongs to my wife). The Howse was a superb performer for the price with very few welds and thin sheetmetal. It came apart several times and I salvaged it until it was about falling apart, then I retired it for a KK.
The KK is built better and stronger overall than the Howse, but the gearboxes are the same. They might even come from the same place. I cut so many rocks with my KK in 5 years that the gearbox seal finally gave up and the box leaked dry. I didn't catch it until it was seizing up on me. I replaced the KK gearbox with the good one on the Howse and it's still going strong.
My wife's KK is about 5 years old and we use it most of the time. I probably need to sell one of them. It's just nice to have an extra around since they take so much abuse on our land.
I think you will find either the Howse or the KK to be a great value for their price. The one advantage of the KK is any TSC can order repair parts. I guess the same thing could be said of Northern Tools and Howse, but I don't think they have quite as many stores in my area. You probably won't need many parts, but I did have to replace a blade bolt once. Those you can buy off-the-shelf at TSC.
I'd say to buy either one and don't look back. As someone else made a very good point, don't forget they are shipped with the gearbox dry. You'll need to fill them before use.
The KK is built better and stronger overall than the Howse, but the gearboxes are the same. They might even come from the same place. I cut so many rocks with my KK in 5 years that the gearbox seal finally gave up and the box leaked dry. I didn't catch it until it was seizing up on me. I replaced the KK gearbox with the good one on the Howse and it's still going strong.
My wife's KK is about 5 years old and we use it most of the time. I probably need to sell one of them. It's just nice to have an extra around since they take so much abuse on our land.
I think you will find either the Howse or the KK to be a great value for their price. The one advantage of the KK is any TSC can order repair parts. I guess the same thing could be said of Northern Tools and Howse, but I don't think they have quite as many stores in my area. You probably won't need many parts, but I did have to replace a blade bolt once. Those you can buy off-the-shelf at TSC.
I'd say to buy either one and don't look back. As someone else made a very good point, don't forget they are shipped with the gearbox dry. You'll need to fill them before use.
