King Kutter grader blade possible gripe, ?????????

KennethBrown · Mar 29, 2006

Sat my dad bought me a 7' KK grader blade as a thank you for helping him. He is temp disabled and can't do much so me and the 5500 have been a great help. Besides he needed his road straightened out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Anyways- After 1 hour of use I noticed the blade was kicked sideways whenever it should have been straight. I looked at it and it had bent/twisted the 4 1/2" pipe that connects the blade to the linkage. It had also slightly bent the blade itself. I used this on a sand road. It had a little clay in it but not a whole lot. I didn't hit any big rocks or stumps, nothing but dirt. My dad took it back to Tractor Supply for me and they hesitated but they did replace it. Is this a comman problem? I know KK is not the best implements but figured they were a little better than this. I reckon I'll fire off the welder on the new one before using it just to make sure its ok, I don't think they would replace it twice. So has anybody else had this happen? How do you strengthen it? I know I can replace the through peice with some sced 80 if it breaks but would like to prevent it.

Gamemaster · Mar 30, 2006

You got perfect timing. I am researching blades thru all the input here at TBN. I am also curious about the quality of KK.
It seems the needed items are : off-set, tilt and reversible cutting edge. I also need info about skid-shoes/gauge wheels
that members have mentioned. Are they factory available ?
Is there a brand that has all?. I read about Midwest and the ease of making adjustments w/o using tools ( removable pins ), but like your problem; just because it has all the bells&whistles doesn't mean it will last ? Opinions please !.

AKfish · Mar 31, 2006

I don't own a KK backblade. Got a 7' JD 45. Never bent the blade or any other section of the unit. Did bend my adjustable linkage arm on the Rt. side of the 3pt after snagging the corner of the blade into the shoulder of the ditch, however. Kinda wish the blade had bent instead...
I wonder if you could weld a couple of 4" wide 3/8" flat steel lengths (on each side) extending from the horizontal pipe (3pt connection) downward to the top of the blade. They would provide lateral strength to the 3pt mounting pipe as well as to the vertical section of pipe that connects to the blade. (Although after writing this --- I wonder if that would interfere with being able to change the angle of the blade??) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

couchsachraga · Mar 31, 2006

A couple things to think about-
1) Do you have the standard, or medium / heavy duty blade?
2) I've bent 2 light duty Woods implements, but can't touch their medium duty ones (so now I only buy medium duty...). FWIW my tractor is 33hp, diesel, 4wd. I run a 6' box blade and a 7' backblade (hope to get the woods medium duty unit with offset, tilt, tail wheel this summer)(yes, skid shoes and end plates are also an option). It IS NOT cheap, but will last...which is what really matters in the end.

Couchsachraga

Robert_in_NY · Mar 31, 2006

Don't weld or modify the new KK blade at all. Use it and if it bends take it back and tell them you want a refund as it will be cheaper then replacing them.

I know the TSC here will replace the items multiple times. One guy ruined 3 blades and they replaced them all /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

AKfish · Apr 1, 2006

Well.... silly me! Spend a few more bucks and get the heavier duty model or spend the time and money to beef up the one you got!?!
Or bend it up and take it back for a new one....??

Iam definitely slow on the uptake at times! But I think I know what I'd do in this situation.

(Post some more pictures of spring tractor work on this site!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif