Anyone have this item from Howse? I am looking at buying one, but want to make sure it is worth the money. How good do they work? I basically want them to work up my garden before I till it. Garden is currently being used, but ground is hard enough by spring, that my 42 inch 3 pt tiller sheers pins trying to till it up. Thought maybe one of these might loosen soil then till. Any better ideas? thanks hjt
Middle buster/ subsoiler combo
- Thread starter HJT
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KML
Gold Member
I have FarmForce SC subsoiler/middle buster combo bought at TSC and I've been happy with it. I use it to run through the garden before tilling the concrete like clay here.
I've also used it to trench for running water, electric, and drain. I feel it was well worth the money. My tractor is similar in size to yours, I had tried a full size subsoiler and it wouldn't raise far enough off the ground to transport, this one fits well.
I've also used it to trench for running water, electric, and drain. I feel it was well worth the money. My tractor is similar in size to yours, I had tried a full size subsoiler and it wouldn't raise far enough off the ground to transport, this one fits well.
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Thanks, KML. Full size wouldn't lift high enough? What is overall height of the one in the pics? I probably would have problems with full size myself then. Yours are maybe the lighter duty and weight for the subcompact tractors? Are they comparable with like the king kutter XB models? They only weigh about 50 lbs and not sure they would stay in ground or be strong enough. hjt
daBear
Gold Member
I bought this exact Howse combination MB and subsoiler. The furrow broke half in two in about an hour, the frame that holds the MB and subsoiler shafts bent the first day, and the tip that holds the sub soiler blade bent in the first two days of use. I am taking the frame to a welding shop to have a tube put on it to keep it from bending more. Howse offered to sell me another fine Chinese steel furrow for $50 which I declined and bought two from Ag Supply for less than that and they have lasted just fine.
My massively powerful 28 hp Kubota just killed the Howse stuff. Even worse story with a Howse dirt scoop. Buyer beware.
My massively powerful 28 hp Kubota just killed the Howse stuff. Even worse story with a Howse dirt scoop. Buyer beware.
KML
Gold Member
HJT,
It measures 21" from the pins to the tip of the middle buster. It does look to be about the same as the XB and I'd guess the weight at about 50 -60 Lbs.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure extra weight wouldn't hurt but the angle of the blade gets it into the ground. Adjust the top link right and it pulls itself right into the ground and stays there. As far as strength, I did modify mine to fit a quick hitch and that subsequently added some strenght to the cross beam which is the weakest part of it. The main vertical piece is 1" x 4" so it should be plenty strong. Even ballasted I loose traction before the anything breaks.
All of them out there seem to use the same basic design. The only one I've seen that's different is one that Rural King carries:
https://www.ruralking.com/Store/detail.aspx?ID=16669
It looks to be well built and is shear bolt protected. The design would make it pretty easy to drill a few more holes and make the height adjustable for SCUTs. The only down side is it's more expensive than most, almost double.
Good luck.
It measures 21" from the pins to the tip of the middle buster. It does look to be about the same as the XB and I'd guess the weight at about 50 -60 Lbs.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure extra weight wouldn't hurt but the angle of the blade gets it into the ground. Adjust the top link right and it pulls itself right into the ground and stays there. As far as strength, I did modify mine to fit a quick hitch and that subsequently added some strenght to the cross beam which is the weakest part of it. The main vertical piece is 1" x 4" so it should be plenty strong. Even ballasted I loose traction before the anything breaks.
All of them out there seem to use the same basic design. The only one I've seen that's different is one that Rural King carries:
https://www.ruralking.com/Store/detail.aspx?ID=16669
It looks to be well built and is shear bolt protected. The design would make it pretty easy to drill a few more holes and make the height adjustable for SCUTs. The only down side is it's more expensive than most, almost double.
Good luck.
daBear
Gold Member
Subsoiler in most soils.
Oldmax
Silver Member
I have a furrower (potatoe plow) that I also use as a subsoiler by changing the blade to a chisel plow. Paid less than $110.00 last year, including both blades and bolts from Tractor Supply Co. Store price is over $140.00 now. It works well on both my B6200 or my B8200 Kubotas. No problem ripping briar, privet and wild rose roots out if running shallow but will hang up and almost stall the tractors if run too deep. I am cleaning up 4 acres of overgrowth on clay soil with a lot of deep ruts and holes where trees were bulldozed or dug out. The debris is then raked up with a York Mod. RS Landscape Rake. The area is bush hogged first with a Woods RB42 before using the plow/subsoiler. A lot of seat time but it works.
Well, I went the simple and cheap way. I bought a middlebuster locally from Orscheln for $101+tax. He threw in a couple old chisel/spring teeth and they happen to fit the shank. Have one bolted on and ready to try when get bagger off when all leaves are picked up. Hopefully the tooth will not break. Tractor is BX2350 with 23 HP. Should be plenty of HP for what I will use it for, and probably won't have the traction to break the tooth anyway. Just using it to help break up garden plot. It has been tilled a couple times, but is still hard pack enough that shears the shear pin on my 42 ince tiller.Am putting all my leaves in for compost and will get it tenderized in couple years. hjt