Well, I got my Ho-bits (Rotary hoe replacement sppons)

Hey all,

About a month back, I posted seeking advice on weld-on replacement rotary hoe spoons. I found the company that builds them in Canada, and they sent me a sample bit. They're 2 3/8 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. They cost $13.60 per wheel, plus shipping. The company is Manufarm and they're in Wheatley, Ontario - just across the border from Detroit. Their number is 519 825 7354

The bits look like they'd make a hoe much more aggressive when used for blind cultivation in the early season. The owner warned me that you can't go as fast with the hoe in beans or you'll tear them to pieces - but it'll do a better job at lower speeds. Frankly, 10-12 mph on my ground is suicide. I'd rather run 5-7 mph, do a better job and stay off the row more consistently.

My original plan was to buy new wheel assemblies from an aftermarket dealer. They're $30-$45, depending on vendor, and I heard some negative feedback on longevity. I did buy one from Sloan Express ($34), two from THE Company($41), and one from Mother Deere ($54). I'm gonna do up the hoe with Ho-Bits on the rows and mount the aftermarket ones as well in order to see how long they last and how aggressive they are on weeds.



If you're close to me (Southwestern Wisconsin), I ordered more than what I needed with the thought that I could sell them as a dealer.

I thought you were selling snacks for streetwalkers.

I don't really care for the name either. Must be a Canadian thing.

do they have a tool to clamp onto the wheel so new bit can be welded in place?
Do you know of this & where it can bbe purchased. How did you go about attaching yours?

(quoted from post at 07:51:02 02/01/13) do they have a tool to clamp onto the wheel so new bit can be welded in place?
Do you know of this & where it can bbe purchased. How did you go about attaching yours?

Click to expand...

When you buy a full set, you get a little single bit jig. You set it up on the most worn spoon. Once it's set up, you use it to hold the spoon to the wheel and weld each one on one at a time. You can also buy or rent a full wheel jig that holds all the bits on one wheel. You weld each one, but they're all ready at once versus one at a time. Manufacturer tells me you can do 5 wheels an hour with the full jig. I haven't gotten the full set yet, just the one I took a picture of. The full set should be here any day now.


I picked up my Sloan Express wheel and my John Deere wheel yesterday. The Sloan Express one is VERY low quality - practically worthless. The John Deere one looks to be of good quality. At $54 each, it'd cost over $3000 to replace all the wheels on a 15 foot hoe. The THE one looks nice, but I was told by a guy in southeast Iowa that his bent as soon as he started using it.