Dealer Advice in Montana?

[10Ring]

Hi all, I've been educating myself on this site for a while now and am impressed with the knowledge here. I need a new tractor for work around 10 acres here in NW Montana. I've narrowed my choices down to LS and possibly Mahindra, but really leaning toward the LS. My issue is that the only local dealers near Kalispell are a reputable Kubota dealer, and a JD dealer I know nothing about. I could be interested in a Kubota, except that one of the things I need the tractor to do is lift one ton pallets from a truck bed into the shop. Distance moved is minimal, but I'd have to spend a small fortune to get a Kubota rated for that task! My nearest LS dealer is Kanavel Ag Supply in Potomac, MT, 135 miles away; or Cascade Tractor Supply, in Spokane WA, 235 miles away. My concerns are that Kanavel Ag Supply doesn't even have a website, they do have a Facebook page, but can't really get a feel for the business there. Cascade in Spokane has a website, but it is horrible, with all but a couple of their links broken, and their main page doesn't even show LS tractors. They also have a Facebook page, but nothing posted there since sometime in 2011. I know websites don't really mean anything as far as dealer reliability, but in this day and age, even I use a computer! (54 years old) Just wondering if there are any on the forum in this part of the country that have any experience with, or knowledge of either of these dealers.

There is also a Mahinda dealer in Libby, MT that's only 80 miles away. I'd rather have an LS, but if it comes down to a reputable dealership, I guess I'd be willing to compromise.

I've resigned myself to a couple of good road trips to check things out, but thought I'd check the collective wisdom here first, in case I can save myself some road miles!

Thanks in advance,
New guy..

Bruce

 

[bruceatlam]

My dealer is also an "Ag Supply" dealer and, like yours, 120 miles away. I called and talked to them prior to my purchase. They've proven to be a top notch dealer so far. Sorry, no knowledge of either of your specific dealers --- hopefully, someone will come along that can give you some direct help.

Mahindra also has a good reputation in this part of the country. I wouldn't be leary of buying one at all ---

 

[10Ring]

bruceatlam, (great name by the way- in a completely unbiased observation!)

Thanks for the reply. Forum member "cscpianoman" is in Spokane, and looked at MF tractors at Cascade Tractor Supply there, he said there weren't any LS tractors visible out front. So I think I'll probably go southeast to Kanavel Ag Supply first, they're closer anyway! I haven't even called them yet, but this helps me prioritize which direction to start. Good to know that your Ag Supply is top notch.

Yeah, I'm not avoiding Mahindra either, I'm just hoping that I can find a really good dealer, especially since it looks like I'll be traveling a little ways to find what I want.

Thanks again,
Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

I could be interested in a Kubota, except that one of the things I need the tractor to do is lift one ton pallets from a truck bed into the shop. Distance moved is minimal, but I'd have to spend a small fortune to get a Kubota rated for that task!

What about a Three Point Hitch mounted Boom Pole?

LINK: King Kutter's Professional 2,000 lb. Lift Capacity Heavy Duty Boom Pole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c2NzNcbeVI


Will a Three Point Hitch mounted Pallet Mover give you enough lift height?

LINK: King Kutter Pallet Mover

The key area of any tractor is the Three Point Hitch.


Are you intending to do your own tractor service and repairs?
Are you knowledgeable about tractor hydraulic systems?

If this will be your first tractor experience, dealer proximity is important.

 

[10Ring]

jeff9366,

Thanks, I looked at those.

I'd actually love to be able to go with a smaller (less expensive) tractor, but I just don't see a 3PH implement able to lift up to the bed of my PU. Maybe I'm mistaken, and I'd be very happy if I was. I have an old 1 Ton '93 Ton Dodge Cummins 4X4 farm truck that sits fairly high. Now if I could find a 3PH pallet mover with hydraulic fork lift capability...!

I've always done all the service and repair on my trucks, motorcycles, everything, but I have no experience with servicing hydraulics, which is why I was really looking at Kubota. Their dealership is only about 10 miles from the house, and they seem to have a good reputation, and have been around a long time. But I'd have to go really big with Kubota to find a tractor with that kind of FEL lift capacity.

 

[jeff9366]

So, what puts you off a Boom Pole? Seems like a simple solution.

(You would certainly want an FEL or optional suitcase weights on your front end for counterbalance to your 1 ton load.)

Use two nylon slings through the pallet, attach the four 'eyes' to the boom lift point.

 

[10Ring]

OK Jeff9366, thanks for staying with me on this.
I may be missing something, but I thought even with the boom pole that I wouldn't have enough lift height for unloading from a pickup bed. If I were to pick up a loaded pallet for example, assuming a bed height of about 3 feet, another 3 to 4 feet of material on top of the pallet, the boom pole would connect to the straps at least another foot above that. I didn't think these poles had that kind of reach. And if I could get it to start that high, I'm thinking there's not enough range on a 3PH to get it lowered to the ground.?? Maybe hook up a block and tackle rig to hook up and then use that to lower it? Am I thinking about this right, or am I missing something?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Yes the boom pole might work ( just said that jokingly ).
Think how easy it is to pull up with your quick attach pallet forks on the front of your tractor with a loader and just unload the pallet.
I am not trying to be mean but I have lifted pallets with straps before and it sucks. I wasn't using a puny little tractor and boom pole either. With a 50,000 pound excavator with all the reach you could ever imagine it is still annoying if nothing else to pick up a strapped pallet, not to mention moving it without it self destructing.
Good luck, and remember good tractor dealers are busy selling tractors not making websites, especially the small dealers.

 

[10Ring]

mjcountrybumpkin

Appreciate the input, and being able to use forks on the front would definitely be the preferred way to go. However, I'm not opposed to saving some money on a smaller unit that could work for me, or having a very conveniently located dealer either!

I was being sincere with Jeff. If he knows of a way to make that work I would consider it, I just don't see me doing that with a 3PH implement, unless I'm not understanding something correctly. You're right about slung loads though, there's enough things to go wrong already!

Very true about dealers and websites, not just with tractors either. I was a little concerned that the dealer in Spokane didn't even show LS tractors on their site. Apparently they aren't stocking any of them.

Thanks again for the input,
Bruce

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

I know what you mean about them not having good website though. I love to seat around and look for tractors locally on the internet. Luckily here in my area there is plenty of dealers. I would say 25 within an hours drive.
Except for LS that is. I have been really interested in them but can't find much of anything local or at least locating a place close by to go set on one.

I was just trying to be really be honest about the difficulty of moving suspended pallets with that last post. Not nearly as simple as it sounds on the internet.