Howse cutter

problem is, using it to mow down light brush, it "exploded" the rear U-joint on the pto drive. Is this a common problem with this brand? dealer now says it will cost $200 to fix it, or buy a new PTO drive for $180.

major problem for me, is when we were originally looking at this package deal, he told us he'd set us up with the 6'kingkutter in the deal, but when it was delivered we got the Howse 6ft HD cutter. Is there a huge difference?

whats the standard price for a 6' hd Howse brush hog? we are feeling a little taken here..

thanks for your help!

when it quit, it was just the Ujoint, the sheer pin is fine.. after talking to the dealer about that, he says it sounds like a problem for Howse to fix, and bring in the sheer pin too and he'd set us up with the new PTO drive under warrenty. That works for us. I can see after reading all the posts on it, that we will be better off with a better brand, we do have some heavy brush in the back that needs cleaning out. we'll save the Howse for keeping the pastures mowed. Doubt we'd get much for it on trade from what folks say.

Thanks for your help!

Grass doesn't grow that fast!
Did you have the right grade bolt in the howse shear mechanism.

If it was brand new and you hadn't used it but a short time on "light" brush - sounds like the u-joint was defective.

Just as a matter of discussion: I bought a 5 ft. off brand name "Andy 500" (never heard of it) almost new abought 10 years ago and have only replaced the shear bolts and I have cut some heavy overgrown fields with 2 inch and better trees. I was skeptical at first about the cutter as to whether it would last. It was the best 300 dollars I have spent.

Some friends of mine have a JD606 cutter and have jimmied the discharge design when rebuilding the deck, put 2 shear bolts in the shaft and have made a royal mess of the gear box because of this and just spent over 500 bucks rebuilding it. I think they want a lawnmower look when cutting a grown up field and it ain't gonna happen.

Guess my point is -if you are shearing bolts easily or tearing up u-joints, ground speed is too fast or draft is to heavy. People and machinery have their limits.

nuff said - see ya

I got an old old Howse in a package deal with my old old tractor. I absolutely abuse the Howse, figuring when it was no longer repairable I'd replace it with something better.

That was almost 4 years ago. It is ugly, it rattles and is noisy but so far (knock wood) it continues to cut...and I really use it hard.

If it is just one of the u-joints, you can do it yourself if you'e half-way handy. Parts only cost about $20-30 and for an hour or two of your time it is probably worth it. Search the archives here, there's several posts explaining how to do it. I'd never tried it before, but did it first time a few years back and it held up...and I've had to do several since then (I have lots of old junk...I mean implements.)

All that said, you might first try pressing the dealer who sold you the package...play the angry buyer and see what happens. But if he doesn't bite, you should be able to live with the Howse for quite a few years.
good luck,
Tom

Usually it's the ring gear and pinion that goes out on a Howse.
I would go get a new drive line and save the $20.