Ho-Bits Rebuild Rotary Hoe To “Better Than New”

2017 - Volume #41, Issue #2, Page #16

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Way back in 1980 FARM SHOW ran a story about a Canadian company that made replacement tips for rotary hoes. We recently saw a new ad for the product and decided to check back in with the company.
   “We’re still making Ho-Bits,” says an enthusiastic Jim Tulen of Manufarm Specialties, “and we have been since 1980. It’s interesting that you called because just recently I had a farmer order from us who said he’d found our phone number in a really old issue of FARM SHOW. Farmers apparently keep their magazines around for a long time!”
  Tulen says recently there has been a growth in interest from organic farmers and also conventional farmers who are using rotary hoes to deal with herbicide resistant weeds. The price listed in the 1980 FARM SHOW story was 43 cents apiece. The price in early 2017 is now 85 cents.
   Manufarm uses a progressive die to form and punch the patented spoons. The steel is similar to that used on ice skate blades and was originally purchased from Sweden, but now it’s acquired from a supplier in Chicago. Tulen says “After the bits are punched out they’re heat-treated and annealed to a Rockwell hardness of 45 to 47. The bits are aggressive and hold an edge even in extremely tough conditions. Our salesman from Kansas, Anthony Feldt, used to display wheels with spoons from a 30-ft. hoe that had covered 7,000 acres, and the bits were still in good shape.”
  Tulen adds that “farmers who buy Ho-Bits are buying an economical replacement that may last twice as long as the originals. They can completely rebuild 16 fingers on a wheel for about $14 and are saving a lot of money, because an entirely new wheel may be $50 to $60.”
  Ho-Bits fit over the teeth on a wheel and are welded in place. The company supplies a production jig with each order that positions the replacement spoons so they can be welded precisely in place. The jig has 5 adjustments for different wheel diameters. Using the jig assures that the outside radius of a hoe wheel remains uniform and that the pitch of the bit is proper after all the spoons are welded on. The Ho-Bits work on any model rotary hoe.
  Tulen says “Welding our bits on a used hoe is a good winter project. When you’re done, your hoe will be longer wearing than a new one.”
  Manufarm, started by Jim and his brother Jack, has been in business more than 40 years. They employ 2 young millrights who help them produce Ho-Bits, land levelers, and other specialized farm implements. They also repair and modify implements and produce first-of-a-kind prototypes. The company doesn’t advertise much or even have a website. “We rely on our good name, good repeat customers, and referrals to keep us going.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Manufarm Specialties Ltd., 3117 Con. Line 2, RR#1, Wheatley, Ontario N0P 2P0 Canada (ph 800 465-6857).

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Ho-Bits Rebuild Rotary Hoe To “Better Than New” TILLAGE EUIPMENT Miscellaneous Way back in 1980 FARM SHOW ran a story about a Canadian company that made replacement tips for rotary hoes We recently saw a new ad for the product and decided to check back in with the company “We’re still making Ho-Bits ” says an enthusiastic Jim Tulen of Manufarm Specialties “and we have been since 1980 It’s interesting that you called because just recently I had a farmer order from us who said he’d found our phone number in a really old issue of FARM SHOW Farmers apparently keep their magazines around for a long time!” Tulen says recently there has been a growth in interest from organic farmers and also conventional farmers who are using rotary hoes to deal with herbicide resistant weeds The price listed in the 1980 FARM SHOW story was 43 cents apiece The price in early 2017 is now 85 cents Manufarm uses a progressive die to form and punch the patented spoons The steel is similar to that used on ice skate blades and was originally purchased from Sweden but now it’s acquired from a supplier in Chicago Tulen says “After the bits are punched out they’re heat-treated and annealed to a Rockwell hardness of 45 to 47 The bits are aggressive and hold an edge even in extremely tough conditions Our salesman from Kansas Anthony Feldt used to display wheels with spoons from a 30-ft hoe that had covered 7 000 acres and the bits were still in good shape ” Tulen adds that “farmers who buy Ho-Bits are buying an economical replacement that may last twice as long as the originals They can completely rebuild 16 fingers on a wheel for about $14 and are saving a lot of money because an entirely new wheel may be $50 to $60 ” Ho-Bits fit over the teeth on a wheel and are welded in place The company supplies a production jig with each order that positions the replacement spoons so they can be welded precisely in place The jig has 5 adjustments for different wheel diameters Using the jig assures that the outside radius of a hoe wheel remains uniform and that the pitch of the bit is proper after all the spoons are welded on The Ho-Bits work on any model rotary hoe Tulen says “Welding our bits on a used hoe is a good winter project When you’re done your hoe will be longer wearing than a new one ” Manufarm started by Jim and his brother Jack has been in business more than 40 years They employ 2 young millrights who help them produce Ho-Bits land levelers and other specialized farm implements They also repair and modify implements and produce first-of-a-kind prototypes The company doesn’t advertise much or even have a website “We rely on our good name good repeat customers and referrals to keep us going ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Manufarm Specialties Ltd 3117 Con Line 2 RR#1 Wheatley Ontario N0P 2P0 Canada ph 800 465-6857

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