Slip, sliding away......

[beenthere]

The original Bobcat folks sold out. Not the same 'ol Bobcat anymore.

 

[AKfish]

The original Bobcat folks sold out. Not the same 'ol Bobcat anymore.

They've been IR (Ingersol-Rand) for about 10 years or so - haven't they? I think that IR has a pretty good rep in the construction business..

AKfish

 

[IH3444]

LS, McCormick, 16x16 trans, 2 rear remotes standard, sloped down FEL, QD bucket standard.....must I go on. Oh yea, and minimal electronic black boxs. Look at Tractorhouse.com CT50U comes to mine for the size you need.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I wonder how long the off brands will be parts available. Nothing like saveing five k, getting some brand there is no dealer for in your state, and looking to have a special part made in a machine shop. These owners can be proud as punch but it would never ease my conscious mind what I wanted or will buy. Not everyone rushed out to buy the " Smart " car either. In my opinion if its not a brand name with a local dealer it is money wasted.

 

[foggy1111]

I wonder how long the off brands will be parts available. Nothing like saveing five k, getting some brand there is no dealer for in your state, and looking to have a special part made in a machine shop. These owners can be proud as punch but it would never ease my conscious mind what I wanted or will buy. Not everyone rushed out to buy the " Smart " car either. In my opinion if its not a brand name with a local dealer it is money wasted.

I tend to agree with what is said here....but the folks at Bobcat just didnt fall off the back of the onion truck either. I dont really think you can call them an "off brand." They know the 'chinery biz and are pretty good at having parts availability on the stuff they sell. Same goes for Kioti...they have steadily improved thier product....and it can be favorably compared againt the big three. (Rebadge these products as Deeres and many would be braggin on 'em. )

Then too.....I cant imagine taking as big of hit on the Bobcat....selling is after say 5 years.....as I would take on the Deere product.

I my local, the JD dealers are,by and large,the best at parts and service. There is a Bobcat dealer some 50 miles away (my only real other option).....so the Bobcat is do-able too. But.... I have just come to trust the Deere brand and all things being equal I would pick Deere due to the history, parts and service, and resale value. (no problems re-selling good Deere stuff)

I priced the 3320 again today at another dealer.....same numbers. I just hate to pay 33% more for Deere.....and cannot justify it on the new stuff. I wish I could get to like Deeres economy tractors.....but they dont compare to the 20 series.... or the Bobcat at about the same prices. So at this point...its either a slightly used 3320 or a CT235 Bobcat for me.

(or a nice 4100, 4300, 4400 ....these numbers are hard to remember for me...but I will study em)

 

[IH3444]

I still like the Kioti DK45S very much, but it's being discontinued. Joe has a good point. Are you going to be able to get parts for these Korean machines 20-30 years from now? Definetely some food for thought.

 

[foggy1111]

I still like the Kioti DK45S very much, but it's being discontinued. Joe has a good point. Are you going to be able to get parts for these Korean machines 20-30 years from now? Definetely some food for thought.

Due to the time / value of money.....in twenty or thirty years.....the amount of money I save on the tractor will be worth more than enough to buy another new tractor of any color I chose. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!!

Of couse I may be dead...so what difference does it make? )

 

[greasemonkeyok]

What is the time value of money these days? Sure as heck isn't 10% APR as a lot of folks use as the default rate.

 

[foggy1111]

What is the time value of money these days? Sure as heck isn't 10% APR as a lot of folks use as the default rate.

That is a fair question (and one I wonder about allot these days). But even if you use 6% as the rate (using the rule of 72)....then twelve years become a double...and 24 years doubles again. Therefore: 7k (savings) is worth 28k in 24 years.

Now if we only knew what a k was worth in 24 years. lol :laughing:

 

[swines]

They've been IR (Ingersol-Rand) for about 10 years or so - haven't they? I think that IR has a pretty good rep in the construction business..

AKfish

IR sold Bobcat to Doosan Infracore, a South Korean equipment manufacturer on July 30, 2007. Could be why they've decided to sell another South Korean company's products...?

But, I'm sure you'll be comforted by the fact that at the time of the sale, Bobcat Americas president said, "...Bobcat's compact equipment will complement Doosans´ existing product line..."

Kinda makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn't it?