First Choice Vs Kingkutter

[JohnMiller3]

I love competition. Competition keeps everyone honest, products keep improving, and the prices stay in check... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jason,

I'm sorry you had some problems with your KingKutter... Mine had served me well for about 2 1/2 years... I "abused" the old girl... I didn't mow grass... I cut brush, brush, and more brush... Last, I started cutting down "trees" and knew it was time to retire my dependable unit...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-175795-KingKutter6%27-1024.jpg>My retired 6' KingKutter standard duty... that went way beyond the call of duty...</A>

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

You must not have used that Kingkutter too much...Because my JD 513 looked at lot worse than that after 2 weeks of use.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...You must not have used that Kingkutter too much...</font color=blue>

Don't hold me too it... I'm guessing I put 550-600 tough hours on the girl.. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

If you opened your back discharge on the x13 series... for the debris to "escape"... you can extend its life drastically... Those rears are designed more for safety than anything else... and in turn it's tearing up that thin 10/11 ga. steel rear skirt...

 

[JohnMiller3]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-175820-9JPropertyBrushexample-1024.jpg>Here's one example of some brush on our property...</A> /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RichZ]

As usual, I'm with John on this one. I'm very happy with my KK. I brush hogged about five very rough acres with it yesterday. I've put many hours on mine, and it's served me well.

But as John said, competition is a good thing. It makes everyone do a better job. I hope First Choice gives KK a run for their money, it will make them both have a better product for a better price. And that's good for us!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

That baby really looks good for that much use,and looks like you really are able to test a bush hog by the looks of the brush in your picture.I had a 36" KingKutter on the back of my old Mitsubishi for years...I really give it a workout.I would been happy if my JD 513 was 1/2 the bush hog the KingKutter was.
You are right about the back discharge on the 513.

 

[Mosey]

I have 3 KK products, a 5' bush hog, a 5' tiller, and a 30" rear scoop. I've been happy with all of them. They are definitely a "no frills" product, but they're built sturdy. The tiller is the only KK product I was able to put right to use without having to make any modifications. On the bush hog I had to lower the bottom 3pt hitch pins and modify the "U" shaped piece you referred to get it to work properly. Now it works good and I'm happy with it. I got it new for $500. The rear scoop also needed some work to get the dump to work right, but now I'm happy with it. I got it new for $180.

As for the bush hog, I'd really like to see a First Choice 5' mower and see how it compares and see a price on one. If it has the hitch pins lower and the top link pivot works correctly, I think it would be worth another $100. Otherwise, the KK is a good buy. I’ve seen KK bush hogs in the field after 10 or more years of use/abuse and they’re still going.

I guess the reason KK doesn’t resolve some of the problems, like the top link pivot not working properly, is because they have such a good price for an otherwise good durable product that people, like me, are buying them anyway and then fixing the problems. I would not recommend KK products to non-do-it-yourself folks, since you’ll spend too much money hiring someone to get it working right.

 

[fishman]

Wow John, if that rotary cutter is due to be retired, then mine should be in the scrap heap!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[tdenny]

Brett,

I sent you a private email. I promised Pieter that I would not advertise any specific prices out here on the forum. I don't know where you are located but there is most likely a connection to First Choice available for you. It's only out West where this becomes more difficult.

 

[BrettW]

Got the message, looks like I'll be a First Choice owner soon enough. I live in Maryland but will be using it in NC. I can drive out to Wilson,NC which is where FC is located I think. thanks again, sent you a reply as well. brett w

 

[JohnMiller3]

Take a look behind my tractor... I needed to start cutting down those trees...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-176059-Brown484CutterDCP_0869-1024.jpg>This is her replacement...</A>/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JohnS]

I'd be interested in any info on your U bolt mod. Would like to improve mine. Also, did you lower the pins all the way down near the deck, by inlarging the bottom hole? If so, did this cause any other issues? I think that I only need to go about half way between where the pins are now, and the bottom bolt holes.

 

[Mosey]

The link pins are 7/8" and the bolts in the bottom are 5/8", so the bottom holes need to be drilled out if you’re going to put link pins in those holes. I bought a 7/8" drill bit at TSC (I priced a 7/8" drill bit at Lowes and it is $25, and at Sears it is $22, but at TSC it is $17 for a Mibro). It is thick metal, the bracket is 1/2" thick, so the drilling is not an easy task. Fortunately, I have a drill press so I took the brackets off and drilled the holes with the drill press. I was going to drill out the bottom hole and put the pins in the bottom hole like most other people (including my brother) have done, but decided it was a little too low for my tractor, so I just drilled a new hole a couple inches above that. I can lift the mower plenty high enough now and I’ve had no problems with this setup. I just left the original pins where they were and added 2 new ones. Partly because it cost more to buy two 7/8" grade 5 bolts with lock washers and nuts then two hitch pins cost! The other reason is that the bush hog will still fit a larger tractor if need be.

I moved the pivot arm (the U shaped bracket) down to the bolt below it (and moved the other brackets going to the back of the mower to the top bolt). So, now it can swing down below the brackets. This allows it to swing farther back if you go through a ditch or something. You have to make sure your pin is not too long though, or it won’t fit between the brackets. I had trouble with it binding up the first time I tried it (the pin got caught on the bracket) and had to bend the U shaped bracket so the two ends are as close together as they can get while still allowing the top link to fit in between. I also put a spacer on one side of the U shaped bracket on the bolt that it pivots on to keep the end of the pin from hitting the bracket. I hope this helps, if I had a digital camera I would post a picture.

 

[Mosey]

I looked at the pictures of the First Choice bush hogs on their web site:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm>http://www.firstchoiceequipment.net/Rotary_Cutters/Rotary_Cutter_Choices.htm</A>

and it looks like they have a good setup for allowing it to pivot where the top link attaches. So, that's one plus compared to the KingKutter. But, the lower hitch pins look just as high as the KingKutter, so they would have to be lowered and the brackets that would need to be drilled are welded to the cutter, so a drill press would not be able to be used, which means it would have to be done with a hand drill and that would be no fun at all!

 

[jasonf]

I think you are correct on your assesment of KK. They are a no-frills machine, but I guess I hear FC calling me... If their machine is a few hundred above KK I would spend it, to get better paint, fit and finish. I am someone who is not afaid to do the mods that you have done, I guess that I feel that I shouldn't have to do them. I am glad someone else saw that problem of having the Pin getting caught in the support arms. It just annoyes me that they include a picture of that U piece in the manual but don't show where to assemble it. Why ship it in the first place? Also why not make that U piece 1 inch longer so that when you mount it into the LOWER hole it would not hit the support arms. I capitalize lower because on the KK website it shows it installed in the upper position pointing up at the sky. Come on that is lame.../w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif If FC had not come along I would have stayed with the KK, but now that there may be a low cost alternative, I feel I have to explore it. John is correct as usual, competition does keep 'em honest. The things that KK needs to change to make their product outstanding are small, and now that there is a possible choice, they better get moving...... Thanks to all for your opinions

 

[Inspector507]

jasonf,
After having seen both manufacturers at the EXPO, FC wins hands down. I also was not impressed with the people staffing the KK Booth.

 

[Mosey]

jasonf -

I think you're doing the right thing. You're right about not having to modify a brand new piece of equipment - it should not be like that! You're also right about the U shaped bracket, it needs to be an inch or two longer and mounted on the bottom and the manual should say so. I get the impression the folks at KingKutter have gotten complacent, as if they feel like they've done all the work they need to do and now all they have to do is sit back and rake in the dough. But, they're going to find out that it doesn't work like that in today's highly competitive world. First Choice might give them a run for their money - IF they have competitive prices. But, I haven't seen a price yet in any of the posts on First Choice, so I have a feeling they're going to be higher than many of us are expecting and hoping for.

If I hadn't already bought my bush hog and was in the market for one I would surely be looking at the First Choice mowers - if I could find one. It's going to be tough for First Choice to compete with KingKutter because of KingKutter's availability at TSC.

 

[JohnS]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of moving the U bracket to that pin, but just to keep spacing between lower pins about the same. I also feel that all the way down to that lower bolts is too much for my tractor. Everything is workable now, but just need to be careful. Once I add the chain guards, I will have to do the mod.

 

[JohnS]

Howse has competed with KK in the value implements for years. But Howse seems about on the same level as quality and design as KK. The FC equipment does look very good, and agree with John3 that competition is good for all. Will give FC a serious look for a rear blade, and other implements, once the tractor fund recovers /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif If FC can stay close to KK prices they will be winners.

 

[JohnS]

Post which TSC you are returning the KK to. Someone here, might be able to grab a slightly used, with full warrantee rotary cutter, at an additional $100 savings or so. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif