Tiller Picking a King Kutter tiller

[Blueflint]

Time to retire my Caroni FL1400 tiller (produce and seed farm, really put thru the paces) and I have decided on a King Kutter for the replacement. I am torn between the King Kutter II and the King Kutter Professional. I am looking at both in a 6' model. Both share a lot of the same parts, both seem well made and much heavier built than my Caroni. Unfortunately I have not been able to see these two side by side but I have inspected both of them in person (different retailers). I see the KKII could possibly hold water on it's top side and this will be stored out doors (no room in the barn). I will not be using a quick hitch so that benefit on the Pro does not apply to me. I can get the KKII for $1,600 and the KK Pro for $1,850. So, is the KK Pro worth the extra $ and if so, why?

Thanks guys. Tony

 

[2458n]

Is the King Kutter chain driven? It seems to me some had a gear driven sticker on them. Just from the marketing approach you would think the,'' PRO'' would have more than 250.00 dollars worth of extra's. Interesting to find out.

 

[Blueflint]

Both are gear drive, both use the same gear driven side box and similar (if not the same) top gear box. Lot of the same parts. Both have PTO shafts with a clutch. KKII are made here in Ohio, KK Pro is made in Alabama. I can also get the KK Pro in green paint at Rural King for $1,950.

 

[ruffdog]

I have the KK II 5' model and wow, the prices have went up. I am happy with it and never had a problem. I took the shoes off and bury it when tilling. The top would collect water as a small amount of dirt gets on top of mine. It lives a sheltered life in my shed so rust is not a issue.

 

[dpb800]

I picked up a king kutter II this winter for $200. A few hundred dollars to fix it and it has been working great.

 

[ruffdog]

After looking at both of them online, I have thought of a few things. The KK II shielding above the tines is a thinner sheet because it has the exoskeleton frame work to make it strong. I would think that the Pro sheet metal would be much thicker because it is lacking that exoskeleton. Being that you will have it stored outside, get the pro unless it kills your wallet. I made stands for mine so it sits nice in the shed and I can stand on it to reach the top of my firewood stack.

 

[bjr]

Check out the price of replacement tines for the KK and you may go back to the Caroni. I have a 6' KK and am not looking forward to buying 42 of their tines. bjr

 

[mark02tj]

This was just posted an hour ago on Dayton's CraigsList. Oxford isn't too far from you!! Could save you a few bucks.

 

[Blueflint]

Check out the price of replacement tines for the KK and you may go back to the Caroni. I have a 6' KK and am not looking forward to buying 42 of their tines. bjr

We will never go back to the Caroni, it is not up to the work we do. Constant cracking of the steel in stress areas and original welds also cracking along with having soft bolts throughout. It was an economical piece at the time... but every year, it needs structural repairs. I will say the gear box has held up well. Overall the Caroni is thin and soft. Other than an occasional new sod tilling, it only saw 95%++ previously tilled ground and rarely a rock.

KK sells complete sets of tines, the 72" (6') kit is #505054, has 54 tines, list price is $357...ouch!!! Dealers can also order these kits in and seems they are selling them close to $100 off that price.

I know a couple people that have 5' KKII and they have held up well. I know ANY piece can have problems or need some TLC at times but I also know we need something new too. In fact we are getting several new pieces this year, time to move out the high hour items before they strand us. I know the KK tillers are not "Cadillacs" but they seem pretty tough. I can find KKII 5' models pretty reasonable (under $1400) but with a 6' wide tractor, the 6' KK tiller makes sense. I also just found a KK dealer less than 14 miles from our farm and will visit them in a day or so. KK website really sucks and needs updated. Their dealer listings are missing a ton of dealers and they also make a lot of things not on their site.

mark02tj, thanks for the listing but Oxford is 90 miles away and that is only $150 less than the new ones I found at my local KK dealer.

Does anyone have the weight specs on the KK Pro 6' model? The KKII 6' is 721 pounds.

Thanks guys...any more info?

-Tony

 

[LouieJunior]

We will never go back to the Caroni, it is not up to the work we do. Constant cracking of the steel in stress areas and original welds also cracking along with having soft bolts throughout.

it is interesting you mention soft bolts! I have a brand new Caroni flail mower, and prior to using it the first time, I deformed one of the bolts when changing the roller height. My wrench slipped off and the bolt head was no-longer hex shaped.