heard through the grapevine

[BleedGreen]

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but alas, the rumor is not a rumor, it is truth. The venerable 110TLB is no more.

Low sales definitely contributed (highly) to the decision, but the impending Final Tier IV emissions issues, as well as the dedicated factory floor space required for the 110TLB (that could be used for higher volume tractors) were also contributing factors.

I for one will say I did not see this coming. Previous rumors had it that Deere was in R&D for a dedicated, hard mount loader for the current 4x20 series, with the additional pump, etc added to the chassis while utilizing the existing 110TLB backhoe attachment. This would allow quite a bit of commonality with the current 4x20 lineup, while retaining the uniqueness of the 110TLB - ie Removeable Construction Grade Backhoe, hard mount dedicated Construction Grade Loader with the upgrades of the Deere turbo-charged engine and so on and so forth.

A 4520/4720 with the 400CX and 485 Backhoe is a great package, but will not be a true replacement for the 110TLB, IMHO.

A sad day, in my world at least.



I almost forgot to add that the remaining productions slots will be available for both retail orders as well as stock orders being allocated to sales branches according to 110TLB sales history. If retail orders take up all the slots then there will be no stock orders allowed. Get 'em while you can, I guess.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

They really have there hearing tuned to users on this one. Kubota increases there line deere refuses to update and eliminates. Sheer genius, bonehead move for sure.

Matt

 

[kenmac]

Bean counters make all the business decisions these days

 

[RoyJackson]

Bean counters make all the business decisions these days

I won't say the accountants make good decisions all the time. I've gone head to head with them a few times...
But if the tractor isn't selling, why continue building them?
I guess the 110TLB is a great tractor that didn't find a market.

 

[jenkinsph]

I won't say the accountants make good decisions all the time. I've gone head to head with them a few times...
But if the tractor isn't selling, why continue building them?
I guess the 110TLB is a great tractor that didn't find a market.

Roy,
I think alot of their market was for small contractors and some of these guys are hit the hardest in residential construction.

 

[Scooby074]

It wouldnt have anything to do with lack of distribution would it? Ive seen 1 (used) on a dealers lot and 2-3 in the wild. If they were out there they would get bought. Compare to the local Kubota dealer who usually has at least one of each of their factory TLB on the lot. Usually with multiples of the smaller models.

Maybe it had an identity crisis... Too small for the construction equipment dealers and too large (And maybe specialized)? for the Ag guys.. plus all that yellow paint clashed with the Ag Green

Abandon the majority of the segment to Kubota ? Really smart. Id expect nothing less from a ChatterBox.

 

[CurlyDave]

I suspect that the L45 has a better price point, and equal or better specs. I know the L39s I have looked at closely did not have the same build quality as the 110 TLB. Haven't looked at a L45 up close & personal, but the price alone could kill the 110 TLB.

I wonder if the ones in the field are going to become collector's items or orphans?

 

[jenkinsph]

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but alas, the rumor is not a rumor, it is truth. The venerable 110TLB is no more.

Low sales definitely contributed (highly) to the decision, but the impending Final Tier IV emissions issues, as well as the dedicated factory floor space required for the 110TLB (that could be used for higher volume tractors) were also contributing factors.

I for one will say I did not see this coming. Previous rumors had it that Deere was in R&D for a dedicated, hard mount loader for the current 4x20 series, with the additional pump, etc added to the chassis while utilizing the existing 110TLB backhoe attachment. This would allow quite a bit of commonality with the current 4x20 lineup, while retaining the uniqueness of the 110TLB - ie Removeable Construction Grade Backhoe, hard mount dedicated Construction Grade Loader with the upgrades of the Deere turbo-charged engine and so on and so forth.

A 4520/4720 with the 400CX and 485 Backhoe is a great package, but will not be a true replacement for the 110TLB, IMHO.

A sad day, in my world at least.



I almost forgot to add that the remaining productions slots will be available for both retail orders as well as stock orders being allocated to sales branches according to 110TLB sales history. If retail orders take up all the slots then there will be no stock orders allowed. Get 'em while you can, I guess.

Having both a 110 and a 4520 I can say they are two completely different machines. If I had to buy another tlb I would buy an M59 not a 4520 with a backhoe seat out back.

 

[AKfish]

Went into town today for some disc mower parts. The JD manager confirmed the info being discussed here.

According to him; Deere "marketing geniuses" have defined the market niche that the 110TLB falls into as the "Bobcat Line".

That is; more buyers in today's market are inclined to purchase both a Skid-steer AND a Mini-Ex instead of a rubber-tired TLB. He also mentioned that overall sales of TLB's is way down but that Deere was not planning to scale back on the "big Iron" TLB's.

Said that Mini-Ex's and excavator's in general are "taking over the world"!

AKfish

 

[AKfish]

Having both a 110 and a 4520 I can say they are two completely different machines. If I had to buy another tlb I would buy an M59 not a 4520 with a backhoe seat out back.

I've tried to closely compare my 110 to my neighbor's 4320. One major difference is at the planetary drives on the front axle. The 110's hub assembly is likely 33% larger. The ring gear/pinion housing looks to be very similar in size and structure.

The rear differential housing also looks to be very similar in size and overall structure. My guess is that there are identical manufacturing lines for components utilized in both the 110 and the 4000 series tractors.

That said, if Deere adopted the 110 HD loader and 110 HD hoe to a cabbed 4000 machine and continued with the 3pt capability as well...

I don't think I'd hesitate to buy it over an open-station M59 with the rocker-pedal hydro control and the FEL joystick configuration that is currently available on the Kubota TLB's.

Of course, it would have to offer "creep to reposition" etc. from the backhoe seat as well. Operating the hoe and having to crawl in and out of the cab would be a royal, PITA.

AKfish

Re-reading this post -- have to ask -- how would a "Hulked-Up" 4000 machine not fall into the same "Bobcat Line" market hole and fail to meet the Marketing Exec's sales projections?