Buying Advice Evaluating options for a compact

[Omega Woods]

If I had a truly exceptional dealer like Dave's Tractor Id definitely consider one. Otherwise, no way in heck Id buy one and expect the warranty to be worth more than the paper it's printed on. Again, just my opinion.

If I had a dealer like Dave's Tractor, I would buy a Branson. After reading through the broken three point stabilizer thread yesterday and seeing the puny three point setup on Mahindra, I'm glad to have my Branson (and my Kubota, for that matter.)

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I happened to remember part of the title of this one... Considering more scary IMO.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/369195-what-nightmare-please-read.html

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Here's a you-tube guy talking about Mahindra corp at the end...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-buying-pricing/371744-ouch-maybe-watch-before-you.html

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Thank you for the links. I read that long story carefully as well. Did anyone ever figure out how he ended up with his HST packed with metal shreds? Yikes! Seems like another case of a too-long wait for a fix (this time due to the parts shipper going bankrupt?) so they upgraded him. Anyhoo, he seems happy with the tractor now. IDK but these don't seem like horror stories to me. Maybe my expectations are too low! The You Tube video I don't really understand as I am not a mechanic.

I really appreciate the info as I like to do my research and think hard (over-think & paralysis by analysis ) before I pull the trigger.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Thank you for the links. I read that long story carefully as well. Did anyone ever figure out how he ended up with his HST packed with metal shreds? Yikes! Seems like another case of a too-long wait for a fix (this time due to the parts shipper going bankrupt?) so they upgraded him. Anyhoo, he seems happy with the tractor now. IDK but these don't seem like horror stories to me. Maybe my expectations are too low! The You Tube video I don't really understand as I am not a mechanic.

I really appreciate the info as I like to do my research and think hard (over-think & paralysis by analysis ) before I pull the trigger.

I can tell you are a "glass half full" kind of person which I truly envy. I wish I could be more like that.

Unfortunately, I'm a "glass almost entirely contains empty space with a tiny fraction of space taken up by hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and misc atoms buzzing around" kind of person.

My wife is like you...

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I can tell you are a "glass half full" kind of person which I truly envy. I wish I could be more like that.

You can. I actually used to be a very negative person. Dated a "wake up happy and go to bed grateful" kinda guy many years ago, and just decided to try it myself.

 

[majorwager]

NY cheese,
You have been inundated w/ suggestions, and jeffy will even assist you w/ paragraph structure and post composition. You do not have a RK Store in your vicinity, but just for comparrison, look at how much tractor your money can purchase. These tractors are private label TYM.

There is a You Tube channel called Outdoors with the Morgans, he has been performing demo videos w/ these tractors starting w/ #146 +/- , numbered videos. For folks w/o a store, they are contracting w/ independent repair shops for any warranty items. Just a FYI.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

NY cheese,
......You do not have a RK Store in your vicinity, but just for comparrison, look at how much tractor your money can purchase. These tractors are private label TYM.

There is a You Tube channel called Outdoors with the Morgans, he has been performing demo videos w/ these tractors starting w/ #146 +/- , numbered videos. For folks w/o a store, they are contracting w/ independent repair shops for any warranty items. Just a FYI.

I also am looking at these RK tractors. Very nice, but they appear to be rather high and narrow tractors w/ less built-in weight--maybe not so good for hills? (based simply on the ratio between width and length)

 

[majorwager]

Girl,

First, my post is directed to NY Cheese as a comparative measure, a FYI, Nothing MORE!!

Secondly, "THEY APPEAR" has NO foundation in fact. In actuality there is very little difference in the specifications of the major manufacturers. All tractors will face some logistical difficulties on "HILLS". You, admittedly are NOT a technical person. That is fine, however if you can point to a specific deficiency in width, which is adjustable, weight or height, in comparison to a comparable Make and Model #, then by all means, Have at it. Jeffy adequately pointed out that a skidsteer , w/ a lower gravity center, enjoys more hillside stability. I am partial to the BOBCAT Brand, AWS, (All Wheel Steer Model) with about every attachment imaginable, + the action is always out in front of you. They do NOT damage improved landscaped surfaces because of the unique steering system and available wide track and different tire configurations.

You may never decide upon your "perfect" tractor and that is neither my business nor concern. However the RK/TYM machines enjoy extensive engineering and design efforts along w/
others currently competing for exposure in the marketplace. Many tractor Pros and Cons are simply rooted in personal bias, or if you would rather, PREFERENCE.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Girl,

First, my post is directed to NY Cheese as a comparative measure, a FYI, Nothing MORE!!

Secondly, "THEY APPEAR" has NO foundation in fact. In actuality there is very little difference in the specifications of the major manufacturers. All tractors will face some logistical difficulties on "HILLS". You, admittedly are NOT a technical person. That is fine, however if you can point to a specific deficiency in width, which is adjustable, or height, in comparison to a comparable Make and Model #, then by all means, Have at it. Jeffy adequately pointed out that a skidsteer , w/ a lower gravity center, enjoys more hillside stability. I am partial to the BOBCAT Brand, AWS, (All Wheel Steer Model) with about every attachment imaginable, + the action is always out in front of you. They do NOT damage improved landscaped surfaces because of the unique steering system and available wide track and different tire configurations.

You may never decide upon your "perfect" tractor and that is neither my business nor concern. However the RK/TYM machines enjoy extensive engineering and design efforts along w/
others currently competing for exposure in the marketplace. Many tractor Pros and Cons are simply rooted in personal bias, or if you would rather, PREFERENCE.

I'm very sorry if I offended you or spoke out of turn.

The idea to look for a wider, heavier tractor for steep hills, I got that advice here on TBN. I did not say it was a fact that they were long and narrow; that's why I said "appear" and finished with a question mark. I stated that this was based solely on the ratio of length to width (that and the weight is easily gotten from the specs). I was actually hoping someone would prove me wrong (thus the ?) as the RK tractors have great pricing, and we have a dealer not too far away.

Of course the opinions of the experts are the most important, but I also like discussing things with newbies/shoppers like myself, as we're in the same boat. I thought that was okay, but again, I'm sorry if my comment was inappropriate.