new tractor choices!

[Builder]

I respect your opinion, but one bad Kubota dealer in your area doesn't mean the whole company is like that. I agree that other tractors might be as good, but just to set the record straight, I mean Kubota is in a class by themself is because they build a very good tractor, they have an extensive dealer network, they have great resale value and they are a very financially stable company that will be around for a long time. I don't think many other companies can say that.

If you can name another under 100HP tractor that does all 4 things I named better than them (I'd say Deere is one), I'd like to hear where I'm wrong. We've seen some of the fringe brands that were supposed to be "the next coming" go belly up. I only wish I could have bought a Kubota the last time around so I could be enjoying my local dealers service. It's so good, I take my AGCO to them for service instead of the AGCO dealer.

 

[dbear]

Builder, while I too respect your opinion, I simply can't accept it. I think your thinking so highly of 'bota must be a regional thing. No different than JD, or CIH, being the "only" brand to have in some areas.

The more I thought about my local 'bota dealer, the more I realized I had actually been to two local dealers (each about 40 miles away from me) and had similiar experiences at both. When I go to see a product, especially one of sizeable cost, I do my homework first. So when I walk upto it, I alreadly know a lot about it.

At both dealerships, I was given false information regarding various specs in blatant attempts to make their product appear so much better than the competition. When I attempted to point out that I thought they were mistaken, their attitude became one of "Come back when you're serious about buying," and both promptly stormed off to something "more important." What was really surprizing was I wasn't just dealing with some flunky saleman, but with the owners.

Now I realize these individuals don't design and build the equipment, but they are the face of it. I haven't been back to either place since.

Around here, JD, NH, and CIH are probably the leaders in sales and service for all HP categories based upon visual observation of whats in the fields, followed by MF and Agco. JD, without a doubt, would be the favorite in the CUTs segment. It's not a case the product, or company, being superior, it's the dealer. I liked the NH dealer so well, I bought my Dixie Chopper from them.

Does this mean I feel these companies are "in a class by themselves"? No. Just that they are at least equal to 'bota. If 'bota is financially doing better than many other companies, it might possibly be a result of their marketing making consumers "believe" their product is better.

 

[greggh]

I would think that the new TYM comes with a warrantee of some kind. TYM would be my choice if the land is in a condition to use a cab. Since I have an open station tractor there are many times I wish I had a cab. I just didn't have the money for a cab when I purchased mine.

All opinions stated are my own.

 

[Builder]

Builder, while I too respect your opinion, I simply can't accept it. .

Hey, I'm good with that. I can't accept your's, either, but we can still get along. To me, that's all that matters.

My logic behind Kubota is in a class alone in that size segment is because their sales & success in that segment supports my opinion.

Your side of the story has its' merits. That's why I bought a used Challenger instead of a comparable used Kubota. I just couldn't afford that extra Kubota resale value!!!

BTW: I bought my Challenger in Western New York!! Up your way!

 

[powerstroke444e]

What makes more sense? A new kubota grand L3940 GST with loader or a new TYM 433 with loader AND cab, both can be had for the same price. This new tractor decision is so confusing.

I would say your comparing two differant machines completely, from what I have seen, only seen one TYM they are a little cheaper and have not been around these parts at all??? If your wanting top of the line I would not put them in that class, cheap HP with cab that your not going to work to the to the limits go for it. If you want something you will be glad you purchased 20yrs from now I would by from a company that has been around for that long. And has good dealer support across the country. As I have seen many short lines come and go.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I dont think a cab is such a good idea on a CUT. They usually dont have too much hp to spare which limits the effectiveness of the AC (or remaining power to do real work). Also, the cab is usually too high to fit in std 7 ft doors and makes it tough mowing around trees and such. That said though, I really like a good canopy which is nearly as comfortable under the hot sun as an AC cab. I like cabs on big tractors and would much rather have one on those, but no way would I want one on a CUT. Usually the big tractor dont fit in a 7 ft door even without a cab, and the power draw for a good AC is insignificant with larger engines.

You obviously haven't used a CUT with a heated and air conditioned cab. You must be joking when you said that the canopy was as comfortable as an AC cab. I always have to turn the A/C down after a short time. In addition you are not breathing in as much dust and pollen and aren't getting bit by bugs either.

As to the original poster's question, it wouldn't be much of a choice for me, my nearest TYM dealer is 166 miles away, the Kubota dealer is 13 miles away. All things considered, I would pay the additional amount for a cabbed Kubota

 

[dbear]

Hey, I'm good with that. I can't accept your's, either, but we can still get along. To me, that's all that matters.

My logic behind Kubota is in a class alone in that size segment is because their sales & success in that segment supports my opinion.

Your side of the story has its' merits. That's why I bought a used Challenger instead of a comparable used Kubota. I just couldn't afford that extra Kubota resale value!!!

BTW: I bought my Challenger in Western New York!! Up your way!

Ditto!

Hey, I like them Agco products. I was all decided on a MF1240 a number of years ago. In my opinion, at that time, spec for spec, nobody offered the same standard equipment for comparable cash. The CFO kind of shot that idea down then, and I haven't been able to propose a strong enough business case to persuade her since.

(Actually, the 1220 probably would have been a better size, but don't tell her that.)

 

[Builder]

Ditto!

Hey, I like them Agco products. I was all decided on a MF1240 a number of years ago. In my opinion, at that time, spec for spec, nobody offered the same standard equipment for comparable cash. The CFO kind of shot that idea down then, and I haven't been able to propose a strong enough business case to persuade her since.

(Actually, the 1220 probably would have been a better size, but don't tell her that.)

I like everything about it except the seat (kind of basic, no armrests and inadequeate padding-Kubota seat was nicer-maybe that's why I like Kubota....the nice seats) and it doesn't have the optional rear wiper.

 

[CowwFace]

Hey Arksdad,

I took a 20 year hiatis away from tractors (grew up on farm) but I recently bought MY first tractor. I chose a Kioti DK40SE HST and am very happy with it.

As far as Cab or No-cab: What I would consider is how many times you will have to get on/off of the machine. I chose no cab just because me and my father smashed our heads many-a-time on the door frame getting out of the tractors... Now that being said.. on the farm spending 8hours on the machine in mid ND summers the AC was WORTH the head bumping... but with how I use my tractor now... snow removal, road grading etc I'm on off it a bunch and I don't spend all day on it so no cab made sense. If you will be spending 8hour days on there.. go cab.. if you will be spending 2 hours pushing snow.. wear thicker socks and no-cab. IMHO.

Other things I would consider.. I looked at the Kubota's and they are VERY nice machines.. but the one thing I did not like was the way the joystick for the FEL is mounted to the loader and not valved into the tractor itself.. I really like having the FEL lever right by my side.

HST vs Gears.. that's an ENTIRE bag of worms there... I will tell you I have not yet regreted going HST over the gears... I do use the "cruise control" more than I thought I would ... so If you go HST make sure it has some method to lock in the speed.

Rear Remote: I dident think I would need one... but I'm glad I got one..and wish I had two! I'm in the process of putting a tilt cylinder on my rear blade. And along that note.. My blade is great.. I got one that has the tilt and offset ability.. however I don't think I will every use the offset.. I did play with it but not a huge advantage for me.. If I had that to do over again I'd skip the offset ability of rear blade.

Rear tires: I bought my tractor with them just air, and then filled them myself with RV antifreeze 60/40 mix (60% water, 40% RV antifreeze) .. so cost me about s$60.00 to fill both rear tires and I do notice a differance in grading .. can get away with 2wd more of the time.

Warranty: I like the Kioti 5yr warranty, I'm not sure what the others are.

Lights: Cripes I thought I had plenty of lights on my tractor.. uhhh... UNTIL I used it in the dark! If you can work it into the deal, make sure you get Rear light, and something on the ROPS for foward.. grill mounted lights are worthless when the FEL bucket is on.

Touch up Paint: I'd have the dealer throw in a can of touch-up paint.. I managed to scratch my fender when I was putting my seat back in (had to take it out and drill an adjustment hole.... short).

That would be my advice on new tractor's.... and one last thing, puruse TBN it's been a great resource for me.

Carry on,
Phill

 

[arksdad]

This is from original poster. Here's another twist to the dilemma of which tractor do I want. Keep in my, the choices in my area of NE PA are very limited. Most dealers are few and far between, the ones that are relatively close have very limited stock. We have a used car lot that recently started to sell Mahindra. They have one 4035 on lot [$22430 w/fel, 1 rear remote, loaded tires]. A couple of NH dealers [near here don't have any thing close to what I want] but priced a 3045 from $27600-29214 with the same equipment, or a 3040 from 26000-27650. MF dealer had nothing on lot. Said he would try to work up price when he found out what he could get. I went to another Kubota dealer- priced a grandL 3940 gst at 25950. Didn't have one, but said he could get it. What he did have[ probably the best deal of all] GrandL 5040 w/fel only 28 hrs for $25000.