The Cabela's tractors are nice, and are TYMs with a few bolt-ons. Some of them are improvements, as The Tractor Guy mentioned. However, some of the Woods attachments are inferior. The LM35 with the LD96 loader, for instance, has half the lift capacity of the TYM T353 (now the T354).
Guarantee you Cabela's stores aren't stocking 6 figures in parts, either.
Wouldn't be surprised if they get out of the tractor business in the next couple of years. Big box stores are out of their league trying to compete with servicing tractor dealers!
I don't usually jump in to respond to specific posts, particularly when they come from a dealer that Cabela's competes with in a local market, but this one contained some things that are important to address. Recall that I am an advisor to Cabela's tractor business; it has been my job to help Cabela's build a strong tractor and implement sales and service capability.
Hopefully, tb8100 and the TBN forum community will read what follows and better understand that Cabela's DOES service tractors, DOES stock parts and IS committed for the long haul. Let's agree to compete by focusing on why Cabela's or your dealership will serve the customer well, not by speculating about what the other can and cannot do, or whether they will be in business in five years.
"Guarantee You Cabela's Isn't Stocking Parts": Cabela's has 65 store locations in North America (12 more announced, about 12 per year of growth planned), plus three, one million sq/ft. distribution centers. At any given time, there is literally hundreds of millions of dollars in inventory. They carry this inventory so customers can purchase what they need, when they need it. Adding sufficient quantities of tractor parts to the mix so Cabela's service technicians and customers have ready access to parts is not a problem, and that investment has been made. All Cabela's by Woods parts are stocked at the stores (fast moving) or Cabela's orders directly from Woods, as do all Woods dealers.
Cabela's Getting Out of the Tractor Business in the Next Couple of Years: Cabela's is committed to the tractor business, just as it has been committed to their boat business for nearly 15 years. Cabela's is the largest Ranger boat dealer in the world, and it got there by providing great service after the sale. Fixing 300HP outboard motors and servicing all of the complex systems of today's boats requires a shop and infrastructure, along with a strong team of experienced techs. Cabela's is not "out of their league," when it comes to servicing what they sell, and they didn't get to where they are by selling boats at the lowest price. They got there through their service capability. Cabela's service shops all have overhead cranes, forklifts, special tools, service managers, parts managers, admins, and most importantly, they have hired experienced tractor techs to work alongside their boat techs.
Loader Lift Capacity: All Cabela's loaders are made by Woods Equipment, right here in the USA. I think it is fair to say that for people that know Woods, they know they build things to last. All of these loaders (now up to the LD126 on Cabela's new LM75 tractor) can do the job required for the tractor HP range that they are used on, meaning, they are perfectly matched. Published lift capacity beyond what is typically required of the tractor HP range is perhaps an interesting selling tool, but there many other important consderations. I have actually been to the factory on Korea where the TYM loaders are made. For a range of reasons, I felt that the quality and durability, as well as cycle times, product support, and, having Woods as a partner, are all great reasons to proudly have the Woods name next to the Cabela's name. Speaking of lift capacity, the LD84 loader that goes on the new Cabela's LM25 sub-compact tractor has 50% more lift capacity than that of the BX. More lift height too. But again, specs are interesting and often very important when matching equipment with a customer. Impressing them with specs that they may have no use for does not necessariliy serve them well.
Again, I jumped in to set the record straight, not to debate of offend anyone.
