RK Tractors and the average person

[ovrszd]

Hi,

I have researched tractors for years...under 60 HP tractors...where most folks on this site live.

At the end of the day, I can only say this..."Please consider the RK Tractors, if you do, you are doing yourself and the tractor buying public a huge service".

I have no stake in RK, other than I got a killer deal on an awesome tractor! (RK55 HC...more tractor than I imagined.)

Not knocking any brand you have allegiance to...just compare...do the math....then pull the trigger on what is best for you and your family.

Thanks! (And go RK Tractor Guy!)

Please explain how I'm doing the tractor buyin public a huge service by buying an RK tractor? Thanks.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I struggle with this as well. Why would TYM enter into this arrangement? For the RK price to be competitive TYM would have to sell to them at a very low price. What's in it for TYM?

If RK ceases this venture isn't that going to give TYM a bad name?

Do RK stores have a warranty service department? If not, where does an RK owner go with warranty issues? If it's back to TYM why would the consumer buy the RK branded version?

I wonder how many RK buyers know who makes the tractor?

All of these issues increase the chances of a disconnect. But, maybe it's just me.

Every piece of product literature from our website to our brochures clearly states that TYM Korea makes RK Tractors. It is also right on the serial number plate visible on every tractor. So the answer is, every RK Tractor buyer knows that TYM makes the tractor. They ask and we tell them if they don't know already. We are very transparent. As for warranty service, we, RK Tractors perform the service. Our customers know this too.

As for what is in it for TYM? TYM Korea is the parent company of TYM USA. That is just a small part of their overall business. TYM Korea makes RK Tractors and they also make most of Mahindra tractors sold in the U.S. Take that volume together and that is what is in it for them. RK Tractors, in their first full year in the business, sold more tractors in the U.S. than TYM USA, and through only 45 locations. With Mahindra being the second largest selling under-60HP brand in the U.S. now, and TYM making more than 50% of their tractors, it should be clear that TYM makes its (tractor-related) money building tractors for other brands.

TYM Korea is a diversified manufacturing company, publicly traded on the Korean stock exchange. In addition to tractors, they make combines, rice transporters, excavators and a wide range of tillage equipment. They also make tableware, cigarette filters and print text books and magazines.

I'm providing this information so the readers of this forum will know, and it might all make sense if they know.

 

[ovrszd]

So the local Rural King store that sells RK tractors has a full service warranty facility with qualified technicians?

 

[s219]

It's been mentioned before that Cabelas dropping tractors was due to Bass Pro buying them out.

It's not quite that simple -- I suspect that if Cabelas tractor sales were successful, things might have worked out differently when Bass Pro came along. The reality is that Cabelas tractor sales were sluggish from the start and a failure long before Bass Pro bought them. Cabelas had the tractors priced way too high (Deere pricing territory) and never seemed to have good sales or service. Sales picked up when they chopped pricing to clear them out, so there were buyers out there at the lower price point. Unfortunately, several Cabelas tractor owners here on TBN have had an awful time getting warranty service, which is a shame.

 

[chesternator]

It's not quite that simple -- I suspect that if Cabelas tractor sales were successful, things might have worked out differently when Bass Pro came along. The reality is that Cabelas tractor sales were sluggish from the start and a failure long before Bass Pro bought them. Cabelas had the tractors priced way too high (Deere pricing territory) and never seemed to have good sales or service. Sales picked up when they chopped pricing to clear them out, so there were buyers out there at the lower price point. Unfortunately, several Cabelas tractor owners here on TBN have had an awful time getting warranty service, which is a shame.

Agree, getting bought out isn't an excuse and doesnt make it ok. Result is the same, no tractor no warranty. Either they weren't doing well enough that BP didnt want or their fat heads took the opportunity to restrategize to avoid the financial responsibility of warranty service. There are many ways to exit the responsibility and this is just one example.

 

[Diggin It]

So the local Rural King store that sells RK tractors has a full service warranty facility with qualified technicians?

Yes. That's been stated several times on several threads.

But there have also been complaints from users about the quality. May still be a learning process.

 

[chesternator]

So the local Rural King store that sells RK tractors has a full service warranty facility with qualified technicians?

The couple of times I had questions I never saw evidence of this. Months after purchase and after 50 hours of service, my store didnt even have filters for basic service. "We are still trying to order the kits" The filters aren't marked and the manual as many have stated is lacking. I went to YouTube to find someone that figured out the part numbers and picked them up at my local Napa store.

When I went in and tried to get a block heater. The salesman tried to order one and then followed up with me saying they are still trying to get them but it would only be a magnet heater. RK Tractor Guy responded and enabled me to get the correct part sent to the store.

More recently, when I picked up my backhoe which I installed myself. I asked if there were any tips or anything (Comes with no installation instructions) went into the back to look at it with the salesman and he shared what he knew. No evidence of any RK trained service tech on any visit. I'm competent and the install was easy. RK Tractor Guy is very active in these forums and has reached out before to PM for any particular issues and is quick to help but I still think its important to keep our honest options visible to all to paint a complete picture. I am sure other folks at other stores have different experiences and maybe some do have an experienced tech. FYI the salesman was super helpful and I still love my RK tractor

All my experiences just dont paint a picture in my head of a location that has an experienced RK service tech readily on hand.

 

[chesternator]

Yes. That's been stated several times on several threads.

But there have also been complaints from users about the quality. May still be a learning process.

I admit I am very skeptical regarding mechanical service on anything I own and experiences have me gun shy. I've been a service tech on autos myself and have seen some things. I pick apart "Experienced and trained and qualified service tech" to me these are just words unless its further defined/detailed. In my mind and admittingly a pessimist in this situation I tend to think experienced probably means the tech has experience working on things and stuff, trained means he went through RK Tech week of bootcamp (or whatever that looks like) and qualified means he didnt quit before the training was over.

 

[4get gto]

I admit I am very skeptical regarding mechanical service on anything I own and experiences have me gun shy. I've been a service tech on autos myself and have seen some things. I pick apart "Experienced and trained and qualified service tech" to me these are just words unless its further defined/detailed. In my mind and admittingly a pessimist in this situation I tend to think experienced probably means the tech has experience working on things and stuff, trained means he went through RK Tech week of bootcamp (or whatever that looks like) and qualified means he didnt quit before the training was over.

Don't you think all major brands deal with these "Experienced and trained and qualified service tech" you speak of. Titles don't mean much.

 

[chesternator]

Don't you think all major brands deal with these "Experienced and trained and qualified service tech" you speak of. Titles don't mean much.

Yes but more concerning to me though when we are talking about a retail store. In a typical service environment there is enough work coming and going to lean and a team where the techs can learn from each others experiences or point out that your a turd and need to move on. Just being honest with myself as I was when I decided to purchase anyway. How much are they going to invest in what may be 1 guy at each store and how much related work will he get to keep him good/current and stay. It can't be easy. I think they either wont be able to pay what I would define as an experienced tech and/or the experienced tech doesnt stay from lack of work and wants to stay current and employable. These are just my opinions which I had going in when I made the decision to purchase anyway. Thus far my experiences have most definately aligned with my thinking.