Since we are a diverse group of individuals...
Spring this year has been quite busy. The rain hasn't helped make getting outside chores done. Just about the time the ground dries enough for doing farm work, it rains again.
Fortunately, the past few days have allowed me to do some soil management for our hay fields... Sub-Soiling. These were reclaimed when we purchased our property from the brush/briers that had taken root. Many days to get them to the point of being clean enough for hay equipment. Over the years, the production of said fields has been dropping.
No, we have not limed/fertilized, ever. Doubtful they have had anything in recent history (30 yrs+).
I figured no point in even thinking about investing in lime/fertilzer until the water could get into this hard packed clay. So, being the frugal individual I am I've been using the rippers on my box blade to accomplish this task. Yes, I know... not exactly the right tool for the job, BUT, it will accomplish breaking the soil to a certain extent.
Years ago, "King Kutter" brand implements had a decent reputation. For the average person, build quality was very acceptable and durable. Blades, Brush Hogs, etc. all held up to normal use/abuse. Decent materials and welds were sound.
BUYER BEWARE: King Kutter IS NOT what it used to be. Recent purchase of a newer box blade for the task of sod bustin' revealed broken COLD WELDS. So cold that the grinder marks for prepping prior to welding were still present. In appearence, it looked to be just as good as my old and very worn one from probably 20+ years.
Of a total of
17" of weld on on side of the 3 pt pin mount,
ONLY 4" of weld had actually penetrated. The remaining weld only "stuck" to one peice. This resulted in a HUGE breakage of the side with now extensive repairs needed. The steel frame itself appears to be quite brittle much like Canadian Steel vs. good ole' USA mild steel.
FIL's 5ft King Kutter Brush Hog of only one year of use has shown similiar quality problems. Materials are MUCH thinner and again, cheap Canadian "like" steel. Doesn't bend, it cracks/breaks. Not abused, just used to mow pastures.
Just putting it out there on this product and probably many others. A friendly FYI so to say.
This is part of getting farm work done... things break. But I hate it when breakage is due to poor workmanship and materials. I "use" my equipment and implements, but never try to tear stuff up. To expensive to repair, whether with parts and/or time.
Anyhow, hope others are able to glean something useful from my misfortune.