Rotary Cutter TSC Farm Force 5' Rotary Cutter

N1ST · Sep 25, 2008

Here in CT, TSC sells Farm Force cutters, not KK brand. I've read that these could be made by a few different mfg's. Anyone in the Northeast by one of these lately and inspect the build quality? Are they good quality? Good value ($750)? I could get a KK from Northern Tool, but shipping adds $180 to $760. Is it worth the extra?

jake98 · Sep 26, 2008

I picked one of those units up this year. It looks like it's been in a war already from hitting and bringing up rocks. I suppose it's not made for that. The gearbox seems good for all the abuse and I haven't had to replace the shear bolt yet, but that can't be far off. Last I used it I mowed about 5 acres that hadn't been done in ten years or so. Lots of 5' high bushes and brush and now it's all walkable. I need to flip it over to pound the sheetmetal back to where it belongs, the blades are hitting the guard. It's very rewarding for a cheap attachment but I didn't expect it to look so bad so soon... It may think the same about me. Jake

ScottOkla · Sep 26, 2008

"It may think the same about me."

LMBO!!!!!!!

Timberman444 · Sep 26, 2008

I myself do not own one, but a guy down the street has one and he loves it, never let him down once, and he mows about 12 acres with it to.

dogtired · Sep 27, 2008

Do you have any Rural King's in your area they sell King Kutter.

N1ST · Sep 27, 2008

dogtired said:
Do you have any Rural King's in your area they sell King Kutter.

No, looks like there are none in New England.

N1ST · Sep 27, 2008

I was looking at them today at TSC. I saw 3 different style of gear boxes on the batch. All the zirks were rusted, most had no bearings in the zirk. Cheap to replace, but tells something about quality of the parts. I noticed on a couple that the blades swung on their bolt. Is that the way they're supposed to be, or do they need tightening?

I'm still looking for someone that can comment on the quality difference between Farm Force (Tarter Gate) and KK. Thanks.

Timberman444 · Sep 27, 2008

the blades on a brush hog are suppost to move freely on their bolts. that is so if you hit something the blade will swing back and not cause as much damage to your mower.

N1ST · Sep 27, 2008

Timberman444 said:
the blades on a brush hog are suppost to move freely on their bolts. that is so if you hit something the blade will swing back and not cause as much damage to your mower.

Good to know, thanks.

I found a thread (Rotary cutter - TractorByNet.com) saying...

Farm Force is not the same as KK. If you look at the KK site, you'll see they use I-beam type sides for their mowers. The Farm Force I've seen are much lighter on the sides. To me, the heavy sides of the KK is one of it's best features. If you don't have rocks to worry about, the lighter sides should be fine.

...so I guess that answers it.

vsteel · Sep 27, 2008

Just to throw a little more in the mix. I have a hawkline, when I got to looking, there was a farm force sticker under the hawkline, but it said "farm force by hawkline"

I love the hawkline so far. Its done all I have asked and never complained.

I guess my point is I am not sure how many manufactures make farm force stuff.