RK Tractor reviews???

[RK Tractor Guy]

I believe the bigger concern with this RK/TYM partnership is on RK's side. They have to be concerned that they don't do all the work building out name recognition of TYM made tractors and that TYM doesn't "Montana" them like LS Tractors did to Montana Tractors (also a retail brand name that relied on 3rd party to make their tractors for those not familiar with Montana). Unlike Cabelas venture with TYM where they never intended to service the tractor after the purchase, Rural King is investing a lot of money and thought by providing service and parts and I believe they will make this partnership work on their end.

LS tractors - which are a well made tractor widely liked on this board - is another company just like RK which is guilty of fluffing their loader specs and 3-point specs by only listing higher numbers such as the loader capacity @ the pivot pin instead of 500mm or 800mm from the pivot pin and 3-point capacity at the hitch instead of "24" behind pins".

RK public print form and digital specs provide 24” behind 3-pt lift capacity specs. We use breakout force, pivot pin and full height lift specs for loaders, and list full height, the lowest number, first. No attempt to mislead, prospective customers can just make sure that if they compare brands, they just match up what is being measure; pivot pin on one, pivot pin on the other for example. As Mike Morgan said in his example, real world applications are the true test, and we are confident that RK lift capabilities (and backhoe digging force) for loaders, 3-pt hitch and backhoes are very good in each tractor family. We are working on a set of application based trials that show for example how many 80 lb bags of cement on a pallet can be lifted using skid steer compatible pallet forks or how heavy of a log can be lifted using our grapples, etc. That, we believe is being transparent.

 

[g8erh8er]

I see those side panel pins snapping off that plastic panel after a few times of being popped off/on..

Hopefully the fastening bosses hold up to heat well. I cringe anytime I have to remove a plastic clip or similar component within the engine bay of my truck, knowing chances are good it is going to snap coming off or going back on.

These tractors appear to share a lot of components with Mahindra, so I guess one could research their body panels to see if it is a known issue.

 

[rngrrymd]

RK public print form and digital specs provide 24” behind 3-pt lift capacity specs. We use breakout force, pivot pin and full height lift specs for loaders, and list full height, the lowest number, first. No attempt to mislead, prospective customers can just make sure that if they compare brands, they just match up what is being measure; pivot pin on one, pivot pin on the other for example. As Mike Morgan said in his example, real world applications are the true test, and we are confident that RK lift capabilities (and backhoe digging force) for loaders, 3-pt hitch and backhoes are very good in each tractor family. We are working on a set of application based trials that show for example how many 80 lb bags of cement on a pallet can be lifted using skid steer compatible pallet forks or how heavy of a log can be lifted using our grapples, etc. That, we believe is being transparent.

I see you do have the 24" behind the 3-pt specs when you click on the tractor specifications on the main page which is good. However, it looks like you have some discrepancies on your Full Line Brochure in your comparison section:

Kubota BX23SLB-R - "Lift Capacity to Full Height - Bucket Pivot Pin (lbs)" should be 739lbs not 509lbs.
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/sub-compact/bx23s#specifications <-- Kubota spec page
Kubota BX23SLB-R - "Breakout Force (lbs)" should be 1407lbs not 987 (987 is 500mm from pivot pins)
https://kubota.ca/getmedia/8309effd...X23S,-LA340,-BT603-OPS-EN-K289271213?ext=.pdf <-- See page 32 for correct specs

Kubota L3560HSTC - "Lift Capacity to Full Height - Bucket Pivot Pin (lbs)" should be 1720 lbs not 1705
Kubota L3560HSTC - Max Lift Height" should be 105" not 104"
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/compact/grand-l60#specifications

Please explain.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I see you do have the 24" behind the 3-pt specs when you click on the tractor specifications on the main page which is good. However, it looks like you have some discrepancies on your Full Line Brochure in your comparison section:
View attachment 567675
Kubota BX23SLB-R - "Lift Capacity to Full Height - Bucket Pivot Pin (lbs)" should be 739lbs not 509lbs.
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/sub-compact/bx23s#specifications <-- Kubota spec page
Kubota BX23SLB-R - "Breakout Force (lbs)" should be 1407lbs not 987 (987 is 500mm from pivot pins)
https://kubota.ca/getmedia/8309effd...X23S,-LA340,-BT603-OPS-EN-K289271213?ext=.pdf <-- See page 32 for correct specs
View attachment 567676
Kubota L3560HSTC - "Lift Capacity to Full Height - Bucket Pivot Pin (lbs)" should be 1720 lbs not 1705
Kubota L3560HSTC - Max Lift Height" should be 105" not 104"
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/compact/grand-l60#specifications

Please explain.

Thank you for posting this on the RK Tractors forum! We appreciate it.Just as with any competitor comparison, we document the source by date and time and file it, and as with any company, our published materials have disclaimers that state specifications are based upon what is public at time of publication. If competitive comparisons could not be made without this point in time flexibility, no one making any product of any kind could make comparisons to any competitor. Hope that is a reasonable explanation to you. The point of our competitive comparisons to Deere and Kubota is that we offer a very good tractor for thousands less. That is a debate we’d love to engage in.

 

[rngrrymd]

we document the source by date and time and file it, and as with any company, our published materials have disclaimers that state specifications are based upon what is public at time of publication.

https://kubota.ca/getmedia/8309effd...X23S,-LA340,-BT603-OPS-EN-K289271213?ext=.pdf <-- This one says printed in 2016. I found it in less than 2 minutes. Just saying.

Yes, you are offering a great price on your RK tractors and they seem to be really nice. Might be a good idea to correct these comparison sheets though. Doesn't look good.

 

[PerkFarmPa]

Anyone know if the Clearfield Pa RK store is selling the tractors? Unfortunately I'm an hour NW of Philadelphia and this location is still a 3.5 hour drive (173 miles). Would like to take a drive out and see if I can get my eyes on an RK 37. Possibly get the ball rolling if I like what I see.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Anyone know if the Clearfield Pa RK store is selling the tractors? Unfortunately I'm an hour NW of Philadelphia and this location is still a 3.5 hour drive (173 miles). Would like to take a drive out and see if I can get my eyes on an RK 37. Possibly get the ball rolling if I like what I see.

The Clearfield location will offer RK Tractors beginning in March 2019. The RK locations that have RK Tractors now are Butler, Connellsville, Washington and a Monaca.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

https://kubota.ca/getmedia/8309effd...X23S,-LA340,-BT603-OPS-EN-K289271213?ext=.pdf <-- This one says printed in 2016. I found it in less than 2 minutes. Just saying.

Yes, you are offering a great price on your RK tractors and they seem to be really nice. Might be a good idea to correct these comparison sheets though. Doesn't look good.

We take directly from the Kubota USA brochures on their website and keep in mind we compare the quick attach version of the Kubota LA340, now LA340s in some literature, LA344s in other. The LA340 pin-on specs is what you quote. RK L75 on the RK24 has quick attach standard. We review all competitive comparisons at each time of publishing, so we move when competitor info moves. We also do not publish the actual lift capability of the RK L75 loader, which is much higher than we state, we list only what the tractor/loader as a system has as a max. On the larger Kubota LA805 loader, guilty as charged, Kubota most recent spec has lift at pivot pin of 1720, we had it at 1715 (not 1705), and max lift height, we had at 104” and latest Kubota spec has it at 105.” Five lbs and one inch discrepancy, and because there was a change on the Kubota materials. We will update at next publishing as we do each time.

 

[Diggin It]

Getting kind of tired of other dealers and brand loyalists picking on the new guys on so many threads. It says more about the others and their fear of the new guys; like they're trying to kick the new guys off the block before they can get a foothold.


I don't know if I'll buy RK for a few reasons, one being what seems like a high finance rate compared to others. If I could find independent financing, maybe. But there is still the question of service and reliability that can only be answered with longevity. And the fact I can't go sit on one yet like I'll be doing with six or seven other brands in the next few weeks.

Literature takes time to put together and publish and is often out of date as soon as it comes off the press, so I don't see the validity of taking it apart line by line.

 

[g8erh8er]

I don't know if I'll buy RK for a few reasons, one being what seems like a high finance rate compared to others. If I could find independent financing, maybe.

Exactly my dilemma. Looking for 60 month financing but not at 5.99% with an 800 credit score. If anyone knows of credit unions and the like with better rates for tractors, I would like to hear them.

 

[PerkFarmPa]

The Clearfield location will offer RK Tractors beginning in March 2019. The RK locations that have RK Tractors now are Butler, Connellsville, Washington and a Monaca.

Thanks RK Tractor Guy. If I were to travel to one of the locations you mentioned, would I be able to do the paperwork, etc and leave with it that day? Could I call to order (with attachments I need) and then drive out to pay and trailer it home that day? I don't want to make more than 1 trip if I don't need to. Thanks

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Exactly my dilemma. Looking for 60 month financing but not at 5.99% with an 800 credit score. If anyone knows of credit unions and the like with better rates for tractors, I would like to hear them.

Definitely understand your perspective. When you see zero for 60 as an example, you pay more for the tractor than if you took standard rate financing. Like buying a car; "0 for 60 or $3000 cash back" not both. Some blend the two, but the incentive is no bigger overall. You can take a great interest rate and pay basically list price for the tractor, or take the cash back and pay less for the tractor. One way or the other, the OEMs give choices that either way, but they make the same amount of money. The customer can decide if they will get the $3000 incentive in the form of a low interest rate or a reduced selling price. At RK, we offer one price; cash, credit card, personal check, financed, all the same price. We have many customers that secure their own financing through their local bank or credit unions. It may be best to calculate payments and total cost over the life of the loan when the selling price is as low as it is with RK. Best way to do that is to get quotes from different brands so you can compare. Hope that helps.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thanks RK Tractor Guy. If I were to travel to one of the locations you mentioned, would I be able to do the paperwork, etc and leave with it that day? Could I call to order (with attachments I need) and then drive out to pay and trailer it home that day? I don't want to make more than 1 trip if I don't need to. Thanks

Yes, provided that we have what you need in stock. Suggest that you contact the store that you want to visit to check. Here is the contact info.

Contact Us | RK Tractors

 

[Soundguy]

I know you can't name it. Why? Because it's no longer sold there. It came and went.

They sold a tractor brand there that they no longer sell. And I do not recall a service center there, .

I believe that is the difference. many stores sold tractors, but offered no service.

Does northern tool have service centers? They sell tractors out of the store the next city up from me, but there is no service center that I know of.

I remember homier tool sales events sold tractors as well.. never see those anymore. Farm Pro right?

 

[Soundguy]

RK public print form and digital specs provide 24 behind 3-pt lift capacity specs. We use breakout force, pivot pin and full height lift specs for loaders, and list full height, the lowest number, first. No attempt to mislead, prospective customers can just make sure that if they compare brands, they just match up what is being measure; pivot pin on one, pivot pin on the other for example. As Mike Morgan said in his example, real world applications are the true test, and we are confident that RK lift capabilities (and backhoe digging force) for loaders, 3-pt hitch and backhoes are very good in each tractor family. We are working on a set of application based trials that show for example how many 80 lb bags of cement on a pallet can be lifted using skid steer compatible pallet forks or how heavy of a log can be lifted using our grapples, etc. That, we believe is being transparent.

Question for you. On an RK37. I'm looking at putting a bucket mounted bale spear. Can you tell me 'about' what weight ( round bale ) I should be able to lift on that spear? 1500#?

Ps.. this is a real question.. not fishing for an argument over specs, etc.

thanks

 

[Turbys_1700]

Exactly my dilemma. Looking for 60 month financing but not at 5.99% with an 800 credit score. If anyone knows of credit unions and the like with better rates for tractors, I would like to hear them.

Have you tried Farm Credit?

 

[rngrrymd]

Question for you. On an RK37. I'm looking at putting a bucket mounted bale spear. Can you tell me 'about' what weight ( round bale ) I should be able to lift on that spear? 1500#?

Ps.. this is a real question.. not fishing for an argument over specs, etc.

thanks

This answer should be interesting....

Soundguy, I pulled up specs on a loader that gives specs for pivot pin and 500mm (1.6 ft) from the pins to get an idea for this. RK lists 2116 at full height pivot pins not 500mm from pins. Based on the other specs you lose roughly 25% capacity at full height when you look at the 500mm from pin spec. Keep in mind the center of gravity/load on your bale is 3' from pivot pins which will degrade the lift performance even more. Based on the other loader specs your lift capacity 5' off the ground and 500mm from pins is the same or a little more than the pivot pin specs at full height. So say almost 2200lbs at 500mm from pins when loaDeR is only 5' high. Now the RK guy said the loader lifts more than specs but for safety they understate. Of course some good ballast would be in order as well. I am curious what the official #'s stated will be or will any numbers other than pivot pin be expressed. This is where RK would be better served to put 500mm from pivot pin #'s out there - so customers can pick the right tractor/loader for their application. I say u can lift the bale and move it around but u can't stack bales. :2cents:

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

This answer should be interesting....

Soundguy, I pulled up specs on a loader that gives specs for pivot pin and 500mm (1.6 ft) from the pins to get an idea for this. RK lists 2116 at full height pivot pins not 500mm from pins. Based on the other specs you lose roughly 25% capacity at full height when you look at the 500mm from pin spec. Keep in mind the center of gravity/load on your bale is 3' from pivot pins which will degrade the lift performance even more. Based on the other loader specs your lift capacity 5' off the ground and 500mm from pins is the same or a little more than the pivot pin specs at full height. So say almost 2200lbs at 500mm from pins when loaDeR is only 5' high. Now the RK guy said the loader lifts more than specs but for safety they understate. Of course some good ballast would be in order as well. I am curious what the official #'s stated will be or will any numbers other than pivot pin be expressed. This is where RK would be better served to put 500mm from pivot pin #'s out there - so customers can pick the right tractor/loader for their application. I say u can lift the bale and move it around but u can't stack bales. :2cents:

These bales weighed 1100 lbs. when we did the photo shoot. Specs are good for comparisons and apparently a lot of debate fodder. The real world is the decider. Our RK37 with L102 loader can do anything that a tractor in its class is expected to do.

 

[majorwager]

First, Mike Morgan proved that the lift capacity of this model is amazing.

Secondly, my farm has been in the family since 1947. We bale hay every year. Large square bales, one baler produces 3 x 4 x 8 ft the other 2 x 3 x 8. No one, yes NO one who considers himself a hay producer uses compact tractors in hay production. Not even for raking and tedding,

We produce quality grass hay and the small tractor in the operation is the deere 5125r. The 5075m does occasionally rake, supplanting the small tractor status.

 

[MossRoad]

First, Mike Morgan proved that the lift capacity of this model is amazing.

Secondly, my farm has been in the family since 1947. We bale hay every year. Large square bales, one baler produces 3 x 4 x 8 ft the other 2 x 3 x 8. No one, yes NO one who considers himself a hay producer uses compact tractors in hay production. Not even for raking and tedding,

We produce quality grass hay and the small tractor in the operation is the deere 5125r. The 5075m does occasionally rake, supplanting the small tractor status.

I thought they were asking about moving round bales, not hay production.