King Kutter vs Chinese Tillers

[BRBurns]

Those clearly look like typical Chinese workers to me. Thanks for clearing that up. Too bad nothing is made in the US anymore.

BTW, manufacturing is starting to come back thanks to the lower value of the dollar. I work for a machine tool manufacturer and am seeing many companies buying new equipment to move production back here from China and especially Japan. I hope it keeps up.

 

[Airedale]

I would have just asked point blank to a manager at agrisupply where are the King Kutter tillers manufactured.

Al

 

[DennisH]

A King Kutter II TG-60 Tiller weights 690 lbs, my question would be is all 690 lbs of that tiller manufactured and assembled in the USA?

I will be buying a TG-60 in 1-2 weeks based on everything I have read about them but would still like to know the answer to that question.

 

[Don87]

A King Kutter II TG-60 Tiller weights 690 lbs, my question would be is all 690 lbs of that tiller manufactured and assembled in the USA?

I will be buying a TG-60 in 1-2 weeks based on everything I have read about them but would still like to know the answer to that question.

From the 'personal experience' I have with my BIL's KKII 72" tiller.........I would say to slip the clutch before every use(as per the manual), and not worry about anything else.

 

[Sonny580]

My KK manual dont say to slip clutch!!!---strange that yours would!LOL!!! **** I just slap ole 706 pto in and mash the gas and drop the 3-pt as deep as the thing will go and till!---been doing this for 6 years and tiller works excellent! thanks; sonny

 

[Don87]

My KK manual dont say to slip clutch!!!---strange that yours would!LOL!!! **** I just slap ole 706 pto in and mash the gas and drop the 3-pt as deep as the thing will go and till!---been doing this for 6 years and tiller works excellent! thanks; sonny

If your tiller has a 'slip-clutch' on it, it should be in the manual.

Slip clutches can 'freeze up' allowing possible damage to the driveline and/or gearbox.

 

[Car Doc]

I really like my KK2 72" it just happens to have the black driveshaft that I understand came from china but it all works beautifully very happy with it.

The slip the clutch statement I have heard describes loosening the slip clutch bolts a couple turns and sinking the tiller to un-stick the clutch's by slipping them I haven't done it though.

I got a separate manual with my tiller just for the driveshaft fwtw and it definitely says it was made in china.

 

[Don87]

I really like my KK2 72" it just happens to have the black driveshaft that I understand came from china but it all works beautifully very happy with it.

The slip the clutch statement I have heard describes loosening the slip clutch bolts a couple turns and sinking the tiller to un-stick the clutch's by slipping them I haven't done it though.

I got a separate manual with my tiller just for the driveshaft fwtw and it definitely says it was made in china.

If your in 'known ground' that's been tilled before, you should be ok. But it only takes a few minutes to slip the clutch to be sure it isn't frozen............sure beats several hundred dollars in repairs.

As far as your driveshaft, I'm betting they took yours off for another customer for some reason and substituted the chinese one on yours.

 

[Car Doc]

If your in 'known ground' that's been tilled before, you should be ok. But it only takes a few minutes to slip the clutch to be sure it isn't frozen............sure beats several hundred dollars in repairs.

As far as your driveshaft, I'm betting they took yours off for another customer for some reason and substituted the chinese one on yours.

Its possible something happened before my dealer got it? However it was all tied together and wired on the tiller and still in the crate when I bought it at Orschlens they put it together at that point.

There was a KK sales rep on here awhile back that told me there was a few black made in china driveshafts that made it out the door but it wasn't the norm. He didn't think the quality was bad on them either same as whatever they usually ship with.

fwtw but it works great no complaints at all fact it had a tine shaft leak at the gearbox for about the first year since new and its quit now (yes its full ) it would seep just a bit while it was working and quit while sitting, so I am glad about that too I can enjoy using it w/o working on it, probably just some paint on the shaft had to wear off so the seal could work.

 

[dougg]

Thanks for those pictures of the factory. I'll forward them to my friend who bought the Chinese tiller and I'll keep you posted on how well it works.

 

[King Kutter Manufacturing]

Hey guys. I am new to the site so I want to first thank everyone for all of the feedback on our products. We do pay attention to all comments in an effort to build a great product.

As a result of this thread, I wanted to clarify some of the confusion about the manufacturing locations of our tillers. All of the tillers that are sold by King Kutter are manufactured by King Kutter in Winfield, AL or our facilility in Gallipolis, OH. These two locations supply all of the tillers that King Kutter offers for sale.

 

[middleaged]

King Kutter tillers are definately made in USA. There is a large factory on Eastern Ave in Gallipolis, OH where Chris Craft/Marine Power engines used to be made. For about 15 years or so, that place has been a King Kutter factory utilizing red blooded American workers. I've seen them at work.

 

[scoutcub]

Hey guys. I am new to the site so I want to first thank everyone for all of the feedback on our products. We do pay attention to all comments in an effort to build a great product.

As a result of this thread, I wanted to clarify some of the confusion about the manufacturing locations of our tillers. All of the tillers that are sold by King Kutter are manufactured by King Kutter in Winfield, AL or our facilility in Gallipolis, OH. These two locations supply all of the tillers that King Kutter offers for sale.

Hello, and :welcome:!

Curious if you have some sort of a "outlet" store at your facilities, or a nearby dealer offering a good discount....?

thanks!

 

[mjw357]

Curious if you have some sort of a "outlet" store at your facilities, or a nearby dealer offering a good discount....?

+1 :licking:

 

[Rainbody]

There's a big difference in metals used from red china. Crap steel that's not forged correctly. I hope the KK are using real american steel but I have no idea. I know the Italians are.

 

[Martian]

Hey guys. I am new to the site so I want to first thank everyone for all of the feedback on our products. We do pay attention to all comments in an effort to build a great product.

As a result of this thread, I wanted to clarify some of the confusion about the manufacturing locations of our tillers. All of the tillers that are sold by King Kutter are manufactured by King Kutter in Winfield, AL or our facilility in Gallipolis, OH. These two locations supply all of the tillers that King Kutter offers for sale.

Welcome!

Good to see the company representing their product:thumbsup:

 

[70stang]

I been looking to purchase a tiller and comparing the KK TG60 and the sicma
T5-56. I having a hard time justifying the price difference.
I just located a used KK TG48 which the owner claims is 5 years old, only used about 10 times and stored inside. He sentme pictures of the tiller and it does look in great shape. its located about an hour from my home, so I planning to check it out on Saturday.
I can get by with the 48 inch unit.

He is asking $900, which I think is a littel high espicially since the PTO shaft has been cut and I think its to way to short for my tractor.

What the used KK tiller worth?
Didn't they sell new for about $1000 5 years ago?

Any advice on best place to purchase a new longer shaft?

I fairly new to this stuff.

THANKS
Paul

 

[hodge]

I been looking to purchase a tiller and comparing the KK TG60 and the sicma
T5-56. I having a hard time justifying the price difference.
I just located a used KK TG48 which the owner claims is 5 years old, only used about 10 times and stored inside. He sentme pictures of the tiller and it does look in great shape. its located about an hour from my home, so I planning to check it out on Saturday.
I can get by with the 48 inch unit.

He is asking $900, which I think is a littel high espicially since the PTO shaft has been cut and I think its to way to short for my tractor.

What the used KK tiller worth?
Didn't they sell new for about $1000 5 years ago?

Any advice on best place to purchase a new longer shaft?

I fairly new to this stuff.

THANKS
Paul

I bought a TG48 about a year ago, and the best price I could find within 100 miles was a little under $1400.00. And, the only tiller that I came across for under $800 was junk- used tillers fun high, if they are in good shape. If I could have found a used KK for $900 in that good a shape, I would have scarfed it up. I'm sure that prices vary region to region, but in my book, that is a good price. I feel very certain that you won't run across any new ones for a $1000.
As far as the cut shaft, that is normal. You have to do that in many cases, depending on the tractor. Tractor Supply sells replacement shafts.

 

[Car Doc]

Hey guys. I am new to the site so I want to first thank everyone for all of the feedback on our products. We do pay attention to all comments in an effort to build a great product.

As a result of this thread, I wanted to clarify some of the confusion about the manufacturing locations of our tillers. All of the tillers that are sold by King Kutter are manufactured by King Kutter in Winfield, AL or our facilility in Gallipolis, OH. These two locations supply all of the tillers that King Kutter offers for sale.

Thanks for the info that it does make a lot of folks feel better buying US stuff!

I like mine a lot and at this point where it came from honestly to me is a moot point. I was looking for a big tiller at a price I felt I could live with for something I would use 3-5 times a year that would last and I could get parts for later. (tall order now I need someone to do my tilling I would be set )

I think the question remains specifically a lot of people are wondering is what about the gear boxes are those actually built here out of US parts or are they an out sourced assy from out of country or are they just assembled here with foreign parts ("built")? thanks

 

[King Kutter Manufacturing]

We do use world sourcing for component parts (just as GM, Ford, and other American companies) in an effort to provide a quality product that is manufactured in the US and available to the consumer at an affordable price.

As for the question about "outlet stores", we retail our products through distributors across the US. Please checkout our new website (which is new and improved but still under construction) at King Kutter Inc. - Quality Rotary Mowers and Farm Equipment to locate a dealer in your area.