Buying Advice Orphan tractors - savvy bargain or sucker's bet?

[airbiscuit]

I would not hesitate to buy a Bobcat tractor.
I would hesitate to buy a Montana.

Farm Trac (out of business) bought by Montana (out of business), abandoned by Branson (parent company bought by TYM), TYM ???

Not sure what that party looks like 10 years from now.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks, you pretty much hit on my main concern. The Montana tractors seem to be fantastic but the long term parts and service situation makes me nervous.

I would not hesitate to buy a Bobcat tractor.
I would hesitate to buy a Montana.

Farm Trac (out of business) bought by Montana (out of business), abandoned by Branson (parent company bought by TYM), TYM ???

Not sure what that party looks like 10 years from now.

 

[newbury]

Hey CMV, just looking for a tractor and loader. Don't need a backhoe. I have pretty much all of the dealers within ten miles or so, except Kioti and Mahindra which are 30-40. Branson and LS are lawn mower guys with about four machines each. I have definitely considered going the smaller, cheaper route. I will readily admit that there is an excellent chance that a stout 30-35hp (New Holland TC35 comes to mind) machine could meet my needs. Unfortunately I haven't seen many great deals on them either.

C'mon

Everybody that may move dirt needs a shovel, and a backhoe is just a big shovel.

As far as deals - I just ran across on my "local" CL
/kubota-l4310-4x4/
$11,500

KOBOTA L4310 TRACTOR
4x4
1089 hours
GST- GLIDE SHIFT
QUICK ATTACH LOADER
FOUR IN ONE BUCKET
RUNS GREAT, READY TO WORK

Again, not HST but these things do pop up.
Looks like a 3rd party loader.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

C'mon

Everybody that may move dirt needs a shovel, and a backhoe is just a big shovel.

Lol...I have actually been looking at a "fronthoe", just for kicks. Wonder if they are any good. I feel like my wife could use it to dig my grave after she learns how much I spent on the tractor! Skid Steer Fronthoe Backhoe attachment - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[Creamer]

I would not hesitate to buy a Bobcat tractor.
I would hesitate to buy a Montana.

Farm Trac (out of business) bought by Montana (out of business), abandoned by Branson (parent company bought by TYM), TYM ???

Not sure what that party looks like 10 years from now.

I thought Montana were built by LS - am I wrong? If they are associated with FarmTrac or Branson I would stay away too.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

When I see something like this it does make me question my "hydro only" policy. But I can barely drive a manual transmission car, so that would probably not be a happy marriage.

 

[CMV]

If a lot of FEL work and for the size land you are working on, you will probably want HST. But not like a tractor wont do work without it.

If you end up with a smaller one though, I would go HST just to make it easier to sell quick & get your $ back. Most people wanting a little one will want HST too.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a Bobcat. I have needed service a few times and it has never taken more than a week, no mater the season, and the support is great. I have a friend with a Kubota and it took almost a month the last time he took his tractor in.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I thought Montana were built by LS - am I wrong? If they are associated with FarmTrac or Branson I would stay away too.

My Montana is made by LS. LS also made certain New Hollands and a host of other brands. Montana went out of business because LS decided to open their own brand and dealers in 2009.

In the end, you have to buy what you are comfortable with. Its a lot of money, so buy the tractor that lets you sleep at night, and won't keep you awake worrying about the long term viability.

 

[kenmac]

Down side to renting for personal use is, it's never there when you need it.
If it's where you are using on construction sites and the equipment will be there until the job is done , I can see renting.
I'm in the market for a mini excavator . I debated renting to do a job I need to get done.
I can think of a thousand other personal jobs I could use the machine on...
For this reason, I have decided to just buy mini ex instead of renting one. I will have it here when I need it