Bought CT230 Friday

[favarcat]

I made the deal on a CT230 Friday. Talked to this dealer among about 10 other ones around the NorthEast last week. This dealer had the best deal I could get and is the second closest Bobcat dealer from me. Only one other dealer, in VA, had a better price but was over 600 miles away. He was $400 cheaper but without the bobtach loader, so the same price actually. I was going to order it with plain pin loader and susp. seat as the only options with a bobcat block heater dealer installed. The quote was $12,288. He got one in the next day I talked to him and it has the susp. seat with bobtach loader. I stopped Friday and he's selling me the tractor that just came in with the bobtach loader, susp. seat, 3 filters (oil, fuel, trans.), block heater installed, 2 hats, 2 shirts, and free 125 mile delivery for $12,284. Will have it this coming week. I have over 7 acres with one hay field, lawn to mow, some brush and trees to clear, making more lawn, moving topsoil, dirt, gravel, firewood, snow, etc. I'll take and post some pictures.

 

[xLearJockey]

fava,

As they say...."as long as you walk away smiling - it's a GOOD deal".
Pricing sounds like you did just fine and with the added benefit of a (semi) local dealer, "goodies" you wanted, and almost instant gratification wrt delivery.
I think you will be very glad down the road that you ended up with bobtach and while I'm perfectly content with the deal I got on my 225 I completely missed the boat on the cap(s) and T-shirts....guess I'm gonna have to go back and beat Matt up (KIDDING, just kidding Matt).

Now you have to start thinking about attachments....tractor is no different than a boat - giant hole in the ocean/field in which to throw money<g>

My honeydoo list sounds quite similar to yours. The great thing about a honeydoo is that it opens the door for "...well, of course I can do that but it means we'll have to buy xxxx for the tractor".......SOLD!!!
Think
Flail mower
Box Blade
Toothbar
Grapple
Pallet Forks
Ratchet Rake

Enjoy the new toy

 

[BATTY54]

This "Matt" would not be in MA would he? I left a message last week to get back to me on a 230 or 235 never called back.

 

[xLearJockey]

Nope...CT (Stratford)
Good guy and usually responds to emails ex post haste.

mattb@bobcatct.com

 

[unclesalty]

Your gonna love the tractor. Call your dealer, your missing a filter. the hydro takes 2 filters plus the oil and fuel.
Congrats

 

[favarcat]

Thanks, I'll let him now about the 2nd filter.

A flail mower will be my first purchase, for both my lawn and light brush.
How wide should they be with the width of the 230? Is 56" wide flail enough?

 

[chazzy]

Thanks, I'll let him now about the 2nd filter.

A flail mower will be my first purchase, for both my lawn and light brush.
How wide should they be with the width of the 230? Is 56" wide flail enough?

I think deciding the most important factor when choosing a correct flail mower should be the pto output of your tractor which is 22 hp, not the width of your tractor. My 60" New Hollander flail mower requires minimum 25 pto hp.

 

[xLearJockey]

fava;

Chazzy is correct in that power available at the pto needs to be an important consideration on choice of any implement, but so too is your concern on width to cover tire tracks. While not critical - it certainly is highly desireable to cover both tire tracks with the mower.
The overall width of the rear tires should be easy to find but it will depend on the type of tires you've selected (turf being somewhat wider).
As a starting point, you might want to take a look at the Caroni and Betst units in the 60" range. Caroni is carried by Ag Supply and the Betst on ebay. Both are "entry level" units, designed for residential use but both have many satisfied end users - especially considering the under 2K (at your doorstep) pricing.
Check the "Attachments" section of TBN - do a search for "caroni" "betst" or "flail mowers".
Either of these units should work fine with your 230.

 

[favarcat]

I just bought the 56" Betst from ebay. It was an auction. All of them now are BIN/Best Offer. Got it for $755 delivered. And it's the newer models that came out a month ago. It will be here next week.

 

[xLearJockey]

I just bought the 56" Betst from ebay. It was an auction. All of them now are BIN/Best Offer. Got it for $755 delivered. And it's the newer models that came out a month ago. It will be here next week.

fava;

Looks like you are on a roll when it comes to good "deals" <s>.
Betst runs hot and cold between BIN/BO and true auctions - some speculate that it has to do with his inventory at any given point in time. Others have said they made out better just calling or emailing and getting an agreed upon price. I'm guessing it has to do with actual shipping costs vs his "free shipping" on ebay. Regardless, looks like you did just fine.

I'm holding out for the 165 but vacillating between flail and ZTR....decisions, decisions....(ain't life grand???<g>)