Took a 5 hr road trip yesterday. Had a job to estimate and then it was off to look at implements. Visited the local TSC in Monticello, FL then up to Valdosta, GA to see the Agri Supply store (ASC). Never been to an ASC store, it was a nice surprise..like a TSC on steroids!
ASC had Caroni and King Kutter (KK) tillers. Had a good inventory though not a 7 ft model. Caroni looked well built. They looked lighter than the KK, but comparing similar sizes there not a lot of difference. I liked the gear drive of the KK. Prices weren't on the implements so went inside to check them out and ask if what I wanted had rust/faded paint would they give a discount. Service lady said yes, 5-10% depending on condition. I asked about warranty and what would happen if I had a problem. She said just bring the part back and they would replace the part or if major would exchange units. Of course they don't repair them. They have a good supply of most of the Caroni parts. She said their finish mowers basically fly off the shelf. I can't find anyone that works on Caronis, but KK has dealers. Looking at them, taking parts off doesn't look like that big a deal ..a pain maybe. After that I cruised the store. They have nearly everything a farmer could possibly want. A surprise was that in the implements category they had some large ones; disc harrows in the 10-12 ft range and very large rotary mowers. Prices were: Caroni tiller 6 ft $1800 and the KK 6 ft was $2400, KK 7 ft was $2700. KK 7f ft from ruralking.com was $2500 including shipping. I am wondering what type of truck would deliver it. If it is an open trailer I can unload it with my M5140 and loader. If it is enclosed I may need the truck with a lift...extra $.
At TSC they had about 4 or 5 tillers. None of them I looked at had the County Line badge. Some of their other implements did, but not the tillers. If you looked closely you would find a small decal saying this unit is made by Tartar Manufacturing. These units looked very much like the KKs. The paint looked like powder coat. The Caroni and KK I looked at had standard paint. The price of the 6 ft Tartar was $2000, the 7 ft was $2300.
I measured my outside rear tire distance and came up with 74 inches. That would leave me 2 inches or so tire print on each side with a 6'. Would not bother me, but gardeners may not like that.
So for now I've got some info to mull over. Its several months before I would use it so in no hurry. May check some of the dealers in the area that carry KK.
Sorry to be so long winded, but thought it might have some usefulness.
