Kubota M8540

[bill in ny]

Yes, it is hair splitting as the Cat I/II capability is meaningless as it is the power/weight of the tractor that determines the appropriate implement, not the type of hitch on the tractor.

TripleR, i couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[ChuckinNH]

With any tractor purchase, I believe it is best to look at, and choose the implements you want to run well in advance of choosing the tractor.

 

[gwdixon]

A Cat I implement is so easy to convert to work on a Cat II 3 PH that it should not be a consideration in your deal.

Just remember to take it easy on the Cat I implements with a powerful tractor. My opinion would be to not buy a big tractor that could only use Cat I equipment.

 

[ColoradoDan]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Again, the only reason I was questioning the cat I vs. cat II was for cheap, used implements that I find around here. I don't plan on buying new cat I implements for a cat II tractor. Knowing that I can convert them helps my decision.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Again, the only reason I was questioning the cat I vs. cat II was for cheap, used implements that I find around here. I don't plan on buying new cat I implements for a cat II tractor. Knowing that I can convert them helps my decision.

I can sure understand that. We used a couple of old Cat I planters for food plots as well as a disk we already owned in addition to a couple of finish mowers. We smoked the belts on the mowers a couple of times, but they are still running fine.

 

[Grateful11]

One thing to think about, at least for some of us, is that with a tractor this large
most people use pull-type implements. Our Case IH 5140 has never used its 3PT hitch.
We use it with a round baler, pull type bush hog, 12' Bog Harrow and 15' Finish Disc
Harrow but it's used on a farm and not as a utility tractor but with 6 tractors each
one has it's place.

 

[ColoradoDan]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and help during this process. I was very impressed with the M8540 but have decided to go in a different direction. For those that are interested I will post the reasons on the thread that I started a few weeks ago titled "Please Recommend a Tractor."

Thanks,

Dan

 

[TripleR]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and help during this process. I was very impressed with the M8540 but have decided to go in a different direction. For those that are interested I will post the reasons on the thread that I started a few weeks ago titled "Please Recommend a Tractor."

Thanks,

Dan

I am sure you will be happy with whatever you choose as you have done your research well.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

I briefly read the other post - the one that talks about why the decision was made - questions: 1.) Is/was there only one employee at the dealership? And he/she & you had a difference of opinion? Or did you have a difference of opinion with their entire staff? Is/was it all based on price? 2.) Is/was your difference of opinion with a saleperson? Or with someone in Service? 3.) Did you escalate your concerns to mgmt/owner? 4.) Is/was there only one dealership within 50 +/- miles? I believe we have 5 within an hour drive.

I've never decided on a Ford because the Chevy salesperson was a tool. I look at a salesperson as just that - someone who earns an income based on sales. I've never concluded there is an issue with a dealership based on a salesperson either - they (salespeople) serve their purpose. Granted - there are some that make or break a dealership but I don't fault the owner or the salesperson if they can't meet my pricing needs - it is their livelihood - they set margins based on many variables. None of which are any of my business. The Ford dealership across the street has a bunch of fools in the parking lot - but when I go to the parts counter - they take great care of me & when I go to the service counter - they rock and roll & when I go to the collision department - they rock the house even more... so I buy my truck across town & get parts/service/collision repair a couple hundred yards from my office.

Hope you enjoy your tractor. Glad you got one. I love mine. It's all good!

 

[ColoradoDan]

I briefly read the other post - the one that talks about why the decision was made - questions: 1.) Is/was there only one employee at the dealership? And he/she & you had a difference of opinion? Or did you have a difference of opinion with their entire staff? Is/was it all based on price? 2.) Is/was your difference of opinion with a saleperson? Or with someone in Service? 3.) Did you escalate your concerns to mgmt/owner? 4.) Is/was there only one dealership within 50 +/- miles? I believe we have 5 within an hour drive.

I've never decided on a Ford because the Chevy salesperson was a tool. I look at a salesperson as just that - someone who earns an income based on sales. I've never concluded there is an issue with a dealership based on a salesperson either - they (salespeople) serve their purpose. Granted - there are some that make or break a dealership but I don't fault the owner or the salesperson if they can't meet my pricing needs - it is their livelihood - they set margins based on many variables. None of which are any of my business. The Ford dealership across the street has a bunch of fools in the parking lot - but when I go to the parts counter - they take great care of me & when I go to the service counter - they rock and roll & when I go to the collision department - they rock the house even more... so I buy my truck across town & get parts/service/collision repair a couple hundred yards from my office.

Hope you enjoy your tractor. Glad you got one. I love mine. It's all good!

Answers:

I dealt with a couple of different people. The person who runs the sales dept. also deals with most of the service issues. In fact, I went to the dealership multiple times to meet with him to find out when I got there that he was out making a service delivery despite telling me to come by. Even though I was told to come by, he wasn't there. I wasted my time on a couple of different occasions since he is the only sales guy at the dealership. I also dealt with one of the family members that owns the dealership. It is a family owned business. He didn't know what he was selling, didn't know the ins and outs of the tractor. I dealt with him because when I arrived at the dealership to meet with the sales guy, he again wasn't there so I dealt with one of the owners.

The price was ridiculous. Their best price was only about 2-3% off of Kubota's website build price. They couldn't even come close.

Both the sales guy and the owner bad mouth John Deer like you couldn't believe. Most of what they said was completely wrong. I wrote down some of the things they told me when I got in my truck. Then, I went home and researched to find that what they told me was a complete lie.

There is only one Kubota dealer within a two hour drive so it is either these guys for service or nothing.

There is no question that JD and Kubota make good products. Why would I take a chance on dealing with a dealer that I have no respect for? Why would I give them any of my business? After this past weekend, it turned into a pretty easy decision.