Tiller "DARK HORSE" Tillers

[Dargo]

Buyer beware! I bought the 6' DH tiller on Wednesday for $900. On Saturday, after less than one hour of use, I now have 3 broken tines and 2 external bolts that are sheared completely off. Also, the seal on the underside of the top gearbox is leaking fluid. The manager at the TSC store could only order some replacement tines for me at a discounted cost. He said that TSC would no longer carry or support the DH line. Oh well, at least I "saved" some money. From now on I stick to the tried and true equipment.

George

They won't take it back? The only TSC in my area (Rural King dominates them here) only has one of those tillers and it appears used with obvious oil leaks and no price tag. I assume it was returned but it was after hours when I saw it so I couldn't ask any about it. I have never bought anything at the TSC store but Rural King here takes most anything back if there is a problem. I once bought a cheap rotary mower and shattered the gearbox the second time I used it. They took that back. With any luck, your TSC will be similar to Rural King and will let you return it if you press them some. Good luck!

 

[Big Daddy]

TSC is not interested in taking the unit back. I am told that the tines are a "wear item" that carry no warranty. I ordered replacement KK tines. The other problems are described as "normal maintenance" that can be easily repaired. I doubt if the Dark Horse line will remain with TSC for very long; and they clearly will not be offering much support for the DH.

I am not complaining, by the way. I knew going in that this was not likely going to be a well built implement. I only risked $900, and I can still chew up a 1 acre garden lot twice a year. However, when this tiller fails for good, I will be replacing it with a known and proven brand like Woods, Landpride, etc.

George

 

[topshop]

I'm with you re. quality and origin--it depends on the manufacturer's specs. However, I do resent the lengths that some manufactuers go to hide the origin of their products. We should expect them to be honest and straightforward. Then the buyer can decide whether to buy domestic or international. Fair enough?

 

[coobie]

TSC is not interested in taking the unit back. I am told that the tines are a "wear item" that carry no warranty. I ordered replacement KK tines. The other problems are described as "normal maintenance" that can be easily repaired. I doubt if the Dark Horse line will remain with TSC for very long; and they clearly will not be offering much support for the DH.

I am not complaining, by the way. I knew going in that this was not likely going to be a well built implement. I only risked $900, and I can still chew up a 1 acre garden lot twice a year. However, when this tiller fails for good, I will be replacing it with a known and proven brand like Woods, Landpride, etc.

George

First off I am sorry that you have had these problems with your new Tiller.I would be very PO,ed if I spent $900 hard earned bucks on that tiller.I would email TSC corporate office and demand a refund.Good luck,coobie.

 

[Ford850]

IMO... It sounds as if TSC is desperately trying to get away from King Kutter. They replaced all their other equipment last year with their newly named Farm Force line which is made by at least 2 other manufacturers to their specs. The kept the KK tillers since they cannot have those made as easily, it seems. So they tried to have this Chinese shop build one that is a knock off of KK, so close that the parts are interchangeable, but in the end the plan failed. Quality is not quite there, and the parts do not quite match. What would you expect with a name like Dark Horse? Look up the meaning of dark horse and you'll find "Sad case, good-for-nothing, no hope, failure".

 

[IslandTractor]

What would you expect with a name like Dark Horse? Look up the meaning of dark horse and you'll find "Sad case, good-for-nothing, no hope, failure".

No, no. Dark Horse is an unranked horse that comes from out of nowhere to win. One of the Webster definitions: "a usually little known contender (as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing"

Brilliant name given the situation. They may not be thrilled with the name in the future but it is perfect at the outset.

 

[Rara Avis]

No, no. Dark Horse is an unranked horse that comes from out of nowhere to win. One of the Webster definitions: "a usually little known contender (as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing"

Brilliant name given the situation. They may not be thrilled with the name in the future but it is perfect at the outset.

Another piece of trivia...

Upset is the only horse to ever beat Man O'War

In the 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes, 100-1 longshot Upset handed racing hegemon Man o' War the only loss of the stallion's career. Man o' War had suffered an uncharacterisric poor start he was still circling behind the starting line when the race began. (Some people say that the jockey, Johnny Loftus fixed the race)

After this race, anything that had an unexpected victory was called an UPSET...

 

[vettemanwight]

Ive been thinking about one of these DH tillers they have one at a local TSC store. $900 for a 6 ' tiller ....is it really worth it ????????????? V

 

[coobie]

Ive been thinking about one of these DH tillers they have one at a local TSC store. $900 for a 6 ' tiller ....is it really worth it ????????????? V

IMHO,heck no.I would look at farm-maxx or first choice tillers they are made by simca from Italy.Quality made for around $1600 bucks for the 6ft model.coobie

 

[Baranx4]

I"m surprised the Tractor Supply wouldn't take it back. One day of use is not normal wear and tear, that's why I always pay with a credit card. You get a much better buyer protection with one and only have to remember to pay it off at the end of the month. I got burned a few times using cash in the past so anything of value gets a credit card. Your even protected if it gets stolen within I believe 6 months of purchase date.

We rented a house one year on the outerbanks of NC that had just been reopened the week before from a Hurricaine the previous fall. It was now June. The house had a ton of issues including structural that was more than you'd believe and really shouldn't have been reopened. They were still advertising with pictures of items no longer there. When I complained the rental company manager told me to have my attorney get intouch with theirs. I didn't get my attorney involved but filed a claim with my credit card company and our states attorney General asking that they not be allowed to advertise their business in the state of Pa. and included a copy of their advertised photos along with what the place looks like now and all the repair people who were their over the week for problems. We even included that it was a crime against the elderly since we took my elderly inlaws.

We settled on half a little more than $1700.00, if they had been honest we never would have rented the home. If TSC didn't advertise no returns on the item or no refunds then they have to take it back. If they've ever taken a return or refund on any item that is considered similar than they have to or it's discrimination. They can't pick and choose on a per case basis if its only days later.

 

[Dargo]

I have to agree with coobie. I definitely wouldn't throw $900 away on an item that is obviously made very poorly and parts will not be easily available to boot. Unfortunately I've learned these lessons the hard way in the past. This is why my first post on this thread stated that there is no way that I'd consider buying one of these tillers. A cheap Chinese knock off of a price leader tiller had all sorts of red flags waiving. I admitted that I may miss a new cheap item that turns out to be decent, but I'm willing to take that chance rather than take the chance of throwing a thousand bucks away on a gamble.

As others have stated, I'd have to press extremely hard to make TSC refund the money. The one I saw leaking fluids on the ground at my local TSC is gone and was NOT sold to any customer. Unfortunately it appears as if the first impression of the cheap Chinese knock off tiller was on target; it's not worth it at any cost unless you need some scrap poor quality pot metal.

 

[Slippy]

Anyone have updated news on the Dark Horse tillers?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I thought that somebody had said that they were already discontinued, not 100% sure of that though. You didn't buy that CCM one?

 

[Slippy]

Not yet. Just heard back from Mark few days ago.

 

[jinman]

Anyone have updated news on the Dark Horse tillers?

I was early for a doctor's appt. yesterday and had about 1 hour to kill. Since TSC is close to my doctor's office in Decatur, TX, I stopped in to see if they had any County Line or Dark Horse implements. I was especially interested to see if they had any of the DH tillers around. As it turns out, Almost everything they had was KK. However, they had three rear finish mowers that were Dark Horse. I noticed the price tag on the 5' mower said $900. I also noticed the rubber debris flap was coming off, but in all fairness, I didn't investigate it closely. It could have been that it was just not completely bolted on.

All the rotary cutters were KK except for two 6' cutters. They looked very much like the KK cutters, but they had no brand markings except for the OSHA labels. I did notice that their gearboxes were exactly the same shade of gray as the Dark Horse finish mowers, but the paint was a dead ringer yellow to the KK cutters. I didn't want to get someone out to the implement lot since I knew I wasn't buying, and I didn't see anyone close I could ask. There was nothing there with a County Line brand as is shown in the new TSC Blue Book.

 

[DieselAddiction]

This week I stoped at a TSC to check out some items. They had a DH box blade 6Ft. the only DH item around. (by the way what does anyone think of a boxblade, they only wanted $300 or $350 for a 6ft box blade).

They had KK tillers.

Farm Force rotary cutters(yellow) and 1 Countyline rotary cutter (yellow). The one thing I noticed with the county line cutter compared to the farmforce was the much heavier and better looking welds on the FF. Countyline welds looked as if they may break at the first sign of rough ground.

 

[PA hayseed]

This week I stoped at a TSC to check out some items. They had a DH box blade 6Ft. the only DH item around. (by the way what does anyone think of a boxblade, they only wanted $300 or $350 for a 6ft box blade).

If you are only going to use it lightly, and not all that often, it may be a cheap alternative. I personally bought a new taylor way, very heavy duty, and so far very reliable, and it only cost me 400 at auction. I would look at the overall construction of the dark horse. Since your post talked about welds, your probably already understand the strength of thicker metal. Check the thickness with the KK version, and see if it has the standard 1" strap (they call them braces) to connect or a plate connect. I would rather have the plate. Here is a link to the KK BB.
King Kutter Incorporated
Here is a link to a red colored taylor way to see the different types of braces/straps
Watkins Equipment Service - Kubota, Land Pride, Taylor Way

 

[Steve C]

I just purchased a 72" dark horse tiller from my local TSC store for $300. It had been returned. It seemed to be in o.k. condition except for a lot of the bolts are loose and 4 of the bolts that hold the gear box to the unit were missing. Also the right side "torque tube" mounting plate that fastens to the gear box had only one of the 4 bolts origionally installed and had sheared off one of the corners. I can only imagine what might have caused this, but the break seemed to be in the heat affected zone of the origional welds so I just glued it back together with some 7014, replaced the missing bolts and I am good to go.

 

[Steve C]

After welding the torque tube mounting bracket back together I mounted the tiller to my 24 hp 4wd farm pro and went for a test drive. This tiller pulverised 72" of baked clay and pasture grass with one pass. I was running in 2nd gear, low, low range and my tractor never complained or even seemed to be breathing hard. I don't know how long it will last but this is by far the best tiling I have ever done.

 

[Ford850]

Keeping the bolts tight is probably the key. Once a couple were loose, I'll bet that thing rattled and shook and loosened the other bolts within minutes.