King Kutter

[etcallhome]

TSC manager told me this week King Kutter is not going to be suppling there eqpt anymore . Can not remember the name of company that will be making there items . Was told no difference in products or price just that King Kutter could not keep up with sales TSC

 

[Northland]

Maybe Howse? Their low and mid priced implements sell at Pressure Washers, Portable Generators, Mowers, Lawn + Garden | Northern Tool + Equipment . I have a KK backblade I bought at TSC. For my needs and the price it was a good buy

 

[Hard]

TSC manager told me this week King Kutter is not going to be suppling there eqpt anymore . Can not remember the name of company that will be making there items . Was told no difference in products or price just that King Kutter could not keep up with sales TSC

Farm Force had been the brand showing up at my nearby TSC in mid-Maryland. King Kutter has still been supplying the tillers however. The sales guy told me KK was supplying implements to western TSC stores and Farm Force will supply eastern TSC stores. Farm Force stuff looks just like the KK stuff.

 

[davesalisbury]

Farm Force by Hawkline is what has appeared at the local TSC (Beavercreek, OH). Here's a link to Hawkline:

Go Rugged! Go HawkLine.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just stopped by a TSC last night and saw some of the Farm Force stuff out on display along with KK stuff. Farm Force appears to be identical in design and materials, but welds look slightly better and paint is definitely better (though same color).

 

[kwolfe]

I bought a Farm Force Box Blade from TSC about 6 months ago. Looks exactly like the King Kutter XB (orange) except that the support linkage is orange instead of black.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Farm Force by Hawkline is what has appeared at the local TSC (Beavercreek, OH). Here's a link to Hawkline:

Go Rugged! Go HawkLine.

I was at another TSC today and noticed that the labels, at least locally, say "Farm Force by Tarter Gate." Nothing about Hawkline. Turns out that Tarter Gate is yet another manufacturer that makes some basic looking 3ph implements - just like KK. I am thinking that what is at my local TSC is not made by Hawkline. But for all I know, TSC has created a brand called Farm Force, and is buying products for that brand from both Tarter Gate and Hawkline. ??? Does anyone know exactly what the deal is with this "Farm Force" stuff?

 

[Northland]

The products look good. I am going to buy one of the sub-soilers at TSC

American Farmland - By Tarter Gate - Manufacturer of farm gates and animal management and feeding equipment

 

[Soundguy]

Our local TSC just got a big load of KK implements.. looks like they are ones that have been setting out at other TSC lots.. still in crates, unassembled.. faded paint and a bit or rust.

If they would discount them a tad.. I might make some purchases...

Soundguy

 

[Z-Michigan]

I emailed Hawkline to ask if "Farm Force" was theirs and got this response:

"Thank you for your inquiry. The Farm Force by Hawkline at TSC is our product. In Minnesota this would be your best source to purchase Hawkline products.

Best regards,

Bob Lotzer

Sales Manager

Hawkline Nevada, LLC"

I've sent an email to Tarter Gate with the same question. I am thinking that Farm Force is a TSC marketing brand and that it is sourced from either Hawkline or Tarter Gate (or maybe even other makers). I have no idea why the Hawkline flavor would be offered in Ohio and Minnesota while the Tarter Gate flavor would be offered in Michigan.

 

[Soundguy]

Shipping costs? or other attractive marketing arangements?

Soundguy

 

[Z-Michigan]

Here's reply from Tarter Gate. I've confirmed my hunch!

"Thanks for the inquiry!

Zach, yes we are the manufacturer of that equipment here in Dunnville,
Ky.

Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

Thanks again,

Misty Bastin
Tarter Gate
10739 S. US 127
Dunnville, KY 42528"

 

[Nuru]

Here's reply from Tarter Gate. I've confirmed my hunch!

"Thanks for the inquiry!

Zach, yes we are the manufacturer of that equipment here in Dunnville,
Ky.

Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

Thanks again,

Misty Bastin
Tarter Gate
10739 S. US 127
Dunnville, KY 42528"

I was under the impression that Tarter Gate bought Farm Force?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Well there are two different manufacturers that both claim to be responsible for the Farm Force products at TSC. I don't know for sure but I think that "Farm Force" is a TSC brand that they are using with two different manufacturers when they make stuff for TSC. Now if anyone finds "Farm Force" brand new at a non-TSC store, that would change my view.

I'm just looking for quality inexpensive stuff - who isn't? KK welds scare me but the Farm Force (by Tarter Gate) stuff I've seen looks enough better that I wouldn't feel worried buying it.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Bought a KK 6' rear blade for plowing the drive. Hooked it on the rear of my D-15 AC. It caught a piece of ice and twisted the main pipe frame like a pretzel. The tractor was on ice also and I didn't think it had that much traction. Learned my lesson.... no more cheap junk !

 

[jimgerken]

KK welds scare you? They ought to, they are horrible. I have had several fail. Also, I freely modify my attachments to my application, and last weekend while mod'ing a KK Landscape rake for Speeco Quickhitch useage, I cut the top end of the pipe-like upper brace on the upper link attach position. After cutting off the top end, I expected I could bend it back a few inches and maybe re-attach it then. As soon as i bent it 5 degrees or so, the weld at the bottom end just pulled off. The weld was very crystaline looking, and had not penetrated the plate steel very deep. If you have a welder it is not a big problem. Otherwise, buy something better. Oh, yea, buy some spraypaint too.

 

[Nuru]

My King Kutter Dirt scoops works just fine, but then again it is a only a DS.

 

[Dougster]

Well there are two different manufacturers that both claim to be responsible for the Farm Force products at TSC. I don't know for sure but I think that "Farm Force" is a TSC brand that they are using with two different manufacturers when they make stuff for TSC. Now if anyone finds "Farm Force" brand new at a non-TSC store, that would change my view. I'm just looking for quality inexpensive stuff - who isn't? KK welds scare me but the Farm Force (by Tarter Gate) stuff I've seen looks enough better that I wouldn't feel worried buying it.

Sorry to be joining this conversation late, but I think you've hit this nail right on the head. KK is clearly being phased out of TSC stores (except for tillers?) and most of TSC's 3-pt hitch equipment will now be sold under its own captive brand: "Farm Force"

I find it interesting that the equipment is being made to look just like KK right down to the last detail. I also find it interesting that there are two (or more) suppliers who get to put their own name on the product under the "Farm Force" banner. In my area... New England... Tarter Gate is the manufacturer. I wonder if this is specifically being done to show (or at least suggest?) that the products were not made in China (as a lot of independent implement dealers have asserted)? I did notice some "Made in India" stickers on the "standard-duty" box blade's rippers (which were not as good looking as KK's).

In that I was interested specifically in KK/TSC's heavy-duty box blade model that is still apparently only made by King Kutter... I found it interesting that this product was no longer in stock in any New England store and could no longer be ordered for guaranteed delivery (i.e., you can place an order but no timetable or guarantee it will ever arrive). In fact, as we went through several KK items, it seemed like they were all out of stock almost everywhere and not coming back anytime soon. Only the 6' KK tiller I ordered is supposedly on its way and assured to arrive in a timely manner.

And, incidentally, you are absolutely right about the welds... far superior looking to KK on everything I was able to compare. It remains to be seen, however, if the overall product will give and same basic, economical, "Chevrolet-grade" service that KK has become so well known for.

Also got some good news yesterday that TSC is finally headed into Central MA, Maine... and, most importantly, "TAX FREE" New Hampshire. Very cool.

Dougster

 

[Ford850]

I compared the remaining KK implements with the new Farm Force on the lot at my local store. The FF landscape rakes use the double bolted tines and look very straight compared to KK. The rotary mowers, however, look lighter to me. The KK mowers have the heavy 'I' beam sides, but the FF have a lighter gauge metal (by appearance). I was looking for a heavy duty KK box blade but they are phased out already with none available.

 

[KentT]

My only KK implement is the XB series boxblade. It's light-duty, but I've welded up some of it's weak spots when I adapted it to my PT's QA system...

As far as Hawkline -- I have one of their 14' tandem-axle utility trailers and am VERY, VERY pleased with it. It is much heavier duty than any of the 'mass-produced Texas-label" trailers that I saw on the sales yards...