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

[airbiscuit]

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

From Tractordata.com

Montana Tractor History


"Montana Tractors was founded with the inventory of AgraCat Tractors, which had filed for bankruptcy. Montana changed the model line, distributing LS Tractors from South Korea. In 2009, LS broke the relationship to sell directly in the US and Montana entered an agreement with Kukje (manufacturer of the Branson brand) to provide tractors. Attempts for a joint venture with Branson failed and Montana stopped selling new tractors in 2011."

From Rural Lifestyle Dealer

"Ted Wade, Vice Chairman and Co-Owner of Montana Tractors, is pleased to announce that Montana Tractors has signed a supplier agreement with Kukje Machinery Co., LTD and Branson Tractors USA.

In June of this year, Montana Tractors, LLC and Dongkuk Steel Co., LTD, (parent company of Kukje Machinery Co., LTD and Branson Tractors, LLC), signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture to market tractors in the U.S.

The supplier agreement allows Montana Tractors, LLC to have immediate access to the Kukje brand of equipment. This line will be labeled as Montana and will be available to Montana dealers as early as this month. Plans for the joint venture continue moving forward with specifications of additional models in the early stages of development."

Branson abandoned Montana about two months after that article. None of these companies supported their orphans. Now the parent company of Branson has been bought out by TYM. Anyone want to predict that future?

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks again for all of the replies everybody! I am continuing to think and analyze (too much, surely). At this point I am thinking that it will be worth it (for me) to focus my search on the major, stable brands. I will probably up my budget as well. I fell like since this is a 20 plus year machine for me, I might as well go ahead and do it right, gaining some piece of mind in the process, as Boylerman referenced. Resale value on the big brands seem pretty strong, so in many ways I feel like the question is just how much money I want to have tied up.

At this point I am most attracted to the New Holland TC40/45, along with their Case IH cousins, and the Kioti DK40/45SE. They seem like a nice blend of capability and affordability. I might do a new thread asking for thoughts between the two, but it seems like they are both rock solid.

 

[kenmac]

I could be wrong, but I believe new Holland is a contract tractor. At any point , a contract tractor ( like montana, farmtrac, and others) could go away. Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra, LS ,etc, aren't contract tractors, and aren't likely to go away

 

[Creamer]

Thanks Airbiscuit! I appreciate the clarification and how the companies migrated.

 

[bspeedy]

Thanks again for all of the replies everybody! I am continuing to think and analyze (too much, surely). At this point I am thinking that it will be worth it (for me) to focus my search on the major, stable brands. I will probably up my budget as well. I fell like since this is a 20 plus year machine for me, I might as well go ahead and do it right, gaining some piece of mind in the process, as Boylerman referenced. Resale value on the big brands seem pretty strong, so in many ways I feel like the question is just how much money I want to have tied up.

At this point I am most attracted to the New Holland TC40/45, along with their Case IH cousins, and the Kioti DK40/45SE. They seem like a nice blend of capability and affordability. I might do a new thread asking for thoughts between the two, but it seems like they are both rock solid.

I think your instincts are good here. And the TC40/45 and Kioti DK's are great machines. All good choices.

 

[finn1]

I’m a little confused as to whether dyou are looking for a tractor for your hobby farm or a piece of construction equipment to move earth and lift materials.

A small tractor is an excellent choice for a hobby farm but is a poor substitute for a skid steer or (mini) excavator for general construction use.

Their capabilities aren’t even close.

 

[finn1]

I知 a little confused as to whether dyou are looking for a tractor for your hobby farm or a piece of construction equipment to move earth and lift materials.

A small tractor is an excellent choice for a hobby farm but is a poor substitute for a skid steer or (mini) excavator for general construction use.

Their capabilities aren稚 even close.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Hi Finn, my primary use is for mowing, tilling, and moving stuff around my hobby farm and my dad's hobby farm. The secondary usage would be doing very light soil work and moving materials around construction sites. Nothing extreme, but stuff I am unable or unwilling to move by hand.