Looking to buy a 45+ hp Hydrostatic tractor

[1gr8bldr]

Out of curiosity, if you are not getting the machine with a loader, why don't you just get attachments for your skid steer? You can invest in a Harley rake and hydraulic mower for a lot less money than you will have into a 3550.

I did decide to get the loader... mainly because I could not get it much cheaper without.... because every tractor in stock has a loader. It would have to be special order not to get a loader.

 

[1gr8bldr]

Out of curiosity, if you are not getting the machine with a loader, why don't you just get attachments for your skid steer? You can invest in a Harley rake and hydraulic mower for a lot less money than you will have into a 3550.

I see you have the 3550. Does it have the on the dash push button cruise? Or what I think I saw on one of the models, a lever on the right of the seat.?

 

[1gr8bldr]

LOL, I just had the air on my skidsteer fixed today. Been broke ever since I bought it used. That comfort told me right away that I would pay big for a cab

 

[jb1390]

I have cruise control on the right. I also have a sun shade, no cab. I'd be happy to answer questions you have and/or send you pictures of my machine if you desire.

 

[GManBart]

Any opinions on Mahindra tractors. I can get alot more for my money.... probably why they are the best selling tractor. Money talks.

Depending on your criteria, you can often get more tractor, for the same money with other brands. I won't buy anything from companies in India if I can avoid it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I see you have the 3550. Does it have the on the dash push button cruise? Or what I think I saw on one of the models, a lever on the right of the seat.?

There are a variety of cruise controls available today, some are much more useful than others. When broadcasting seed and fertilizer or rototilling I prefer accurate repeatable speed control. The electronic cruise controls are much better for a tractor than a simple pedal latch. With mine the automotive style cruise allows me to change speeds in 1/10th mph increments, so for rototilling I can change from .7 to .8 or 1.6 as the situation dictates. Just like a car it will resume after stopping or turning around and return to your preset speed. For broadcasting seed and fertilizer with a little practice and adjustment of the spreader it helps get the right amount of material evenly dispersed per acre.

My garden tractor has a simple latch type cruise, I never use it. The latch type or mechanical cruise is only useful if you have a large area to run without turning around.

 

[jenkinsph]

Depending on your criteria, you can often get more tractor, for the same money with other brands. I won't buy anything from companies in India if I can avoid it.

I agree that some brands will have a better price than others. I have found that buying Deere I can get 15 to 20% off msrp so that the actual buying price is more inline with the other brands. Living in the sticks as I do there aren't as many brands to choose from but it seems that all of them are good that I have seen. That is why I recommended a face to face meeting to get quotes early in this thread. As you know shopping for a new tractor requires due diligence and starting with preconceived notions only limits your ability to find the "right" tractor. I agree there are a lot of good tractors out there today.

 

[TSO]

I agree that some brands will have a better price than others. I have found that buying Deere I can get 15 to 20% off msrp so that the actual buying price is more inline with the other brands. Living in the sticks as I do there aren't as many brands to choose from but it seems that all of them are good that I have seen. That is why I recommended a face to face meeting to get quotes early in this thread. As you know shopping for a new tractor requires due diligence and starting with preconceived notions only limits your ability to find the "right" tractor. I agree there are a lot of good tractors out there today.

How do you manage 15-20% off?

 

[jenkinsph]

How do you manage 15-20% off?

By the time I have completed my research and have homed in on exactly what I want I make an offer. I don't think there is anything special about my methods, I simply tell them exactly what I want and what I am willing to pay. I don't spend a lot of the dealers time with the sale so as not to be a pita to him, that usually helps get a lower price. So far the last few tractors have been ordered in, the 110tlb worked out to 19.8 % off msrp, the 4520 was 18.2% the x749 was 15.3%. The two dealers have both been decent to work with over the last 15 years or so.

I should add that I like Massey Ferguson tractors too, their just not available close enough to me.

 

[GManBart]

I agree that some brands will have a better price than others. I have found that buying Deere I can get 15 to 20% off msrp so that the actual buying price is more inline with the other brands. Living in the sticks as I do there aren't as many brands to choose from but it seems that all of them are good that I have seen. That is why I recommended a face to face meeting to get quotes early in this thread. As you know shopping for a new tractor requires due diligence and starting with preconceived notions only limits your ability to find the "right" tractor. I agree there are a lot of good tractors out there today.

No real argument there, but I think it's also fair to say that there are some generalizations in pricing that normally hold true. I don't think it's unreasonable to say that some brands will cost less for a similar machine when compared to Mahindra. I left out specific brands to hopefully avoid the brand wars

Along those lines, many folks might not know that Mahindra doesn't make all of their own machines, and has both TYM and Mitsubishi make several of their lines. Unless things have changed recently, I think the models made by TYM are also available direct from TYM, at a lower cost (enough to make it worthwhile for many folks). I don't think the models made by Mitsubishi are available in the U.S. through any other source.

The funny thing is that in most of the threads people start about picking their next tractor, they rarely seem to change from the way they're leaning in the very beginning. It's almost like we're looking for validation in our choices, rather than actual advice. :laughing: