Something suspicious about King Kutter

[topshop]

This weekend, I purchased a 60-inch King Kutter rototiller from Tractor Supply. King Kutter represents itself as an American manufacturer based in Ohio (and Alabama). When I unpacked my unit, I discovered an owner's manual labeled Bondioli & Pavesi and a notation on the PTO "Made in Italy." When I looked further, it said "Bondioli & Pavesi Hydruaulic and Mechanical Components Co., Ltd. Hang Zhou-People's Republic of China." The manual then described in several European and Asian languages the assembly and operating instructions.

I called the Ohio number for King Kutter as given on their website. A woman answered, saying "Truck Sales." When I inquired if this was the King Kutter factory, she said yes. As I described what I had found on my unit, she paused and then said that they have some components manufactured abroad but that the units are assembled in Ohio "or a number of other plants." I eventually discovered a King Kutter owner's manual taped under the deflection shield at the back of the unit.

My own sense is that King Kutter is having some or all of their rototiller components manufactured and perhaps assembled abroad. The vague and hesitant replies I received during my phone call only heightened my suspicions. I wonder if any of you have additional knowledge of these circumstances. All this being said, I used the unit all day today and was satisfied with how it handled the rocks, roots, and sod. I give their instruction manual a C- though for clarity and completeness, especially parts about dry gears and grease fittings (my unit already had some of each even though new) and especially about the tricky hookup of the PTO shaft to the implement end. Without adequate instuction, it took me much longer than it otherwise would have.

And everything that has been said about the poor qualit of the paint and paint job is true and then some!

Any other experiences or knowledge out there about KK and their origin?

Topshop

 

[rankrank1]

King Cutter used to purchase most of their gear boxes from Caroni (Italy). They may have changed vendors for their gearboxes due to product availability or price. Most of the rest of the parts are indeed still fabricated and assembled in OH.

 

[LBrown59]

And everything that has been said about the poor qualit of the paint and paint job is true and then some!
Topshop

Yeah I know- the paint has worn off the tines of my 48'' KK and they are rusty all ready.

 

[topshop]

Tines....I don't care at all about paint staying on the tines....it's all the other surfaces that I am commenting on. They have dried paint dripping from them, and the paint almost rubs off by hand. Even at that, I don't care as long as the components perform and last.

 

[Skyco]

I wondered why my KK rotary cutter didn't come with an owners manual....until I used it and found shredded paper blowing out....the manual was taped in a plastic bag under the deck where I didn't see it

 

[topshop]

Yeah, that's how I found my owner's manual too....thrown out the back of the tiller after a couple of hours use. It was not in pristine condition at that point. Nice of them to hide it under there. Oh well...I already had the Italian/Chinese version and also had consulted the electronic version on the KK website. I would have preferred the old-fashioned way---provide a manual in English attached to a place where the buyer would see it. But I'm old fashioned, I guess.

 

[NewToy]

They are probably not too proud having to go offshore for components just to remain competitive in the pricing dept. Sad state of affairs we can't make and SELL a gearbox in the USA anymore.


John

 

[mrutkaus]

Well so far my KKII 60" Tiller has worked great. I used moly oil in the gear case and moly grease in the fittings.

The base paint seems to stick well. One of the first things I did was lightly sand it and spray paint the whole thing with tractor supply orange implement paint and hardener. It's been sitting outside for more than a year and looks as good as new!

Mike

 

[Farmwithjunk]

This weekend, I purchased a 60-inch King Kutter rototiller from Tractor Supply. King Kutter represents itself as an American manufacturer based in Ohio (and Alabama). When I unpacked my unit, I discovered an owner's manual labeled Bondioli & Pavesi and a notation on the PTO "Made in Italy." When I looked further, it said "Bondioli & Pavesi Hydruaulic and Mechanical Components Co., Ltd. Hang Zhou-People's Republic of China." The manual then described in several European and Asian languages the assembly and operating instructions.

I called the Ohio number for King Kutter as given on their website. A woman answered, saying "Truck Sales." When I inquired if this was the King Kutter factory, she said yes. As I described what I had found on my unit, she paused and then said that they have some components manufactured abroad but that the units are assembled in Ohio "or a number of other plants." I eventually discovered a King Kutter owner's manual taped under the deflection shield at the back of the unit.

My own sense is that King Kutter is having some or all of their rototiller components manufactured and perhaps assembled abroad. The vague and hesitant replies I received during my phone call only heightened my suspicions. I wonder if any of you have additional knowledge of these circumstances. All this being said, I used the unit all day today and was satisfied with how it handled the rocks, roots, and sod. I give their instruction manual a C- though for clarity and completeness, especially parts about dry gears and grease fittings (my unit already had some of each even though new) and especially about the tricky hookup of the PTO shaft to the implement end. Without adequate instuction, it took me much longer than it otherwise would have.

And everything that has been said about the poor qualit of the paint and paint job is true and then some!

Any other experiences or knowledge out there about KK and their origin?

Topshop

There's NEVER been any secret about it. King Kutter has from the very beginning, used imported gearbox and driveline components to create their KKII line of tillers. In so far as anyone knows, ALL the tillers on the market use "off shore" components. And the "problem" is?????

They are assembled in Ohio.

If there were a domestic source for these parts that was competitively priced, I'm quite sure they'd appear on someone's tiller brand, if not on KK's.

Obviously, from the proven mechanical quality and integrety of the KKII tiller, these components are more than adaquate.

"Tricky hook-up of the pto shaft on the implement end"? Really? What did you find tricky about that?

I can't help but find it comical when people get worked up because the paint on a TILLER isn't show car quality. It's a tiller for the love of Mike. It's about to spend a lifetime churning DIRT.

Bottom line, they're tougher'n a $2 steak, one of the lowest priced tillers available, and they are very available with multitudes of retail outlets carrying them. Parts are easy to get through KK should they be needed. Driveline components are available through numerous aftermarket sources. The pto shafts and slip clutches are the same brand as used by just about every major implement manufacturer in the game.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

KK imports everything they sell from the lowest bidder. They care about price, and thats all. Go back to the store in a year or so and you may see a totally different line depeneding on who is giving them the lowest cost. The assembly on this stuff is basicly non-existant. Maybe the put the bolt though the PTO shaft on the gear box, but thats it. Speaking from experience, they are a horrible company to get parts from because of how they do this. We see many pissed customers in trying to find parts who are simply up the creek since KK changed suppliers and the old stuff is no longer available. The stuff is cheap, and thats it. I'd actually consider using them for things like box blades, plows, and simple iron implements. However I'd avoid anything with a gearbox.

Just as an example, their current rotary cutters are sourced by a Chineese company who also sells direct to dealers. (I am assuming this, they look exactly the same). Dealer cost is $350-400 on some models. The parts program that this company offered was "We'll throw some extra stuff in the shipping container for you". A Woods cutter, which is domesticly made costs us nearly 3 times as much. However thats what we choose to sell because we can actually back the product properly.