Comparison The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten

[arie515]

I'm not hearing MTZ in this conversation. Guess right now, it would not be in anyone's interest to buy a Russian Tractor or other product. But, just before the fall of the USSR, Belarus was the go to "Value" tractor. My Dad bought a new one in 1987. It was super inexpensive and built like a tank. He got ribbing from many folks that saw all the CCCP markings. But it worked, and rarely failed, and when it did, it was a simple inexpensive fix.

MTZ / Belarus tractors are still available in USA/Canada www.mtzequipment.com

 

[ovrszd]

I stand corrected on SS

Was in a hurry, "First mistake" yesterday switching from bucket to forks and snapped the levers down when the lower mount on the right side was in the dirt... moved a roll top desk and was going to switch back to the bucket when I went to unlock the right latch notice I had completely missed the lower hole, on top of that the upper angle inverted V that holds the right side of the loaders QA had partially popped out since the lower latch was not locked in when latched.

OOps
In a sense it was my laziness that caused the mis latching, Just glad that I didn't drop the roll top and or damage anything.

I capture the attachment. Raise it off the ground. Bounce it a couple times. Then latch the pins.

 

[sd455dan]

I capture the attachment. Raise it off the ground. Bounce it a couple times. Then latch the pins.

Words to live by.

One thing about mistakes (at least with me) I tend to learn from them, and the lessons seem to stick.
Will be switching to pallet forks soon to unload a new 18 x 30 Versa tube car port, you can bet I will double check my pin and upper ^ engagement when mounting the forks and before unloading the flat bed.

 

[Handloader109]

Says a lot more about the dealership than the manufacturer.

They are the same. Especially with a tractor. You are buying the manufacturers representative. It's why I didn't buy a Kubota. The POS dealer hear has 90% of the small tractor market and knows it.

 

[IndyJay]

They are the same. Especially with a tractor. You are buying the manufacturers representative. It's why I didn't buy a Kubota. The POS dealer hear has 90% of the small tractor market and knows it.

My local Kubota dealer prices everything ~20% higher than others in the region. I wound up buying my 84" Rotary cutter from an out of state Kubota dealer because of the $1,000 price difference. That was after I went to a neighboring state to buy my Kioti. He was way out of line on the L4701 that I had been looking at.

 

[Handloader109]

Oh, and I guess you JD fanboys missed that Waterloo is going to Mexico in the next year or two....

 

[eagle628]

Oh, and I guess you JD fanboys missed that Waterloo is going to Mexico in the next year or two....

Well that's misleading, they're only moving cab production, not closing the whole complex.

 

[Hay Dude]

They are the same. Especially with a tractor. You are buying the manufacturers representative. It's why I didn't buy a Kubota. The POS dealer hear has 90% of the small tractor market and knows it.

Disagree. Manufacturers sell tractor franchises to dealers. They don’t receive direct paychecks from a manufacturer, with the exception of small percentage kickbacks per unit sold. There’s no manufacturers “stores” where tractors are sold and the employees are paid directly by the manufacturer.
A guy working on the showroom floor of blowhard tractor company in sales is paid his salary or commission by the dealer, not the manufacturer.
While he may represent the company, he is a franchisee, not an employee and thats a big difference.
So YES, you are buying from a franchise that sells a product they are licensed to sell. That franchise may be stuck up because they have 90% of the market, or may be a great dealership that earns your business every time you walk in the store.

 

[jyoutz]

My local Kubota dealer prices everything ~20% higher than others in the region. I wound up buying my 84" Rotary cutter from an out of state Kubota dealer because of the $1,000 price difference. That was after I went to a neighboring state to buy my Kioti. He was way out of line on the L4701 that I had been looking at.

That’s interesting. Last year when I bought my 72” LandPride cutter, every Kubota dealer was selling them for the same price, even in adjacent states.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

That’s interesting. Last year when I bought my 72” LandPride cutter, every Kubota dealer was selling them for the same price, even in adjacent states.

I think what's becoming evident through this discussion is different markets play the local market differently.

 

[check]

My philosophy is... They are ALL good until they break and then the bellyaching starts. You very seldom see posts in here about machines or implements that are running fine and issue free...

OK, here’s one. My 2008 Kubota BX 25 is running fine and issue free.

 

[DKCDKC]

I bought a new JD tractor because quality there is important - and because I have an excellent dealer close by. But my implements may be different. I have a decent rotary cutter and box blade - although bought used - because I use them a lot. My finish mower, blade, grapple, etc. were bought on the cheap side because I simply don't use them as much and can't justify the extra expense. It's like cheap tools... If it is something I will used a lot, I go quality. Otherwise I go cheap because I rarely use it and it will probably last my life. To me, common sense is the guide in purchases for the land and farm.

 

[5030]

OK, here’s one. My 2008 Kubota BX 25 is running fine and issue free.

So are both my M9's never had any issue with either other than routine upkeep and overhead adjustments. Lets see, the 2002 open station has 6500+ hours on it and the 2004 cab unit is bumping 3K hours now. Zero failures and I work them pretty hard too.

 

[BubbaSam]

My previous tractor was a Deere (JD 850). I had it for years.
It was a reliable machine.
When upgrading to a new tractor in 2001 I looked a Deere ( the 4300 and 4400, nice unit. I also looked at the 790 but I didn't like anything about it) .
Also the Kubota 3010 and 3410, also nice units.
I went with a Kioti DK 35. Liked the price, features and build quality.
Still very happy I went with this tractor after 21 years of owning my Kioti, its been a fantastic tractor.
My Deere 850 was a good/solid machine. Was it a better built, more reliable machine than my Kioti = NO

I purchased my first tractor 15 years ago... a Kioti CK30HST. It has been a fantastic and reliable tractor. I've done things with it I would have never imagined. At one point I went to a JD dealership, nosing around. Got a quote for about 5 more horsepower w/cab and mid PTO. I realize the two options will add to the price BUT... DOUBLE THE PRICE? I guess you "pay for the green & yellow". Heck, a couple of cans of green and yellow paint isn't worth all that. Fact is I got all the "little goodies" with the Kioti that I would have to pay extra for on the JD. Not saying JD isn't a good tractor by any means. The issue with Kioti is the dealer network is just not there yet. The dealer I purchased from went belly up (internal family issues of theft) and the next closer one was DEFINITLY not customer friendly and VERY expensive on parts, etc. I mean really? $54+$10 shipping for a PLASTIC KNOB? I fixed it for $6.

 

[5030]

When it comes to being cheap, you usually get what you pay for....

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The issue with Kioti is the dealer network is just not there yet.

The issue is more then just the dealer network.

 

[Hay Dude]

I bought (2) Kubota farm tractors pretty cheap in the last 10 years, but by 3000 hours of FARMING work and bush hogging, they have become increasingly troublesome. Repairs are beginnig to pile up.
Kubotas wheelhouse is still small tractors. Their larger tractors are ok, but don’t compare to proper, larger legacy names like AGCO/MF, Case-IH, Deere, etc. for farm use longevity.

 

[rScotty]

OK, here’s one. My 2008 Kubota BX 25 is running fine and issue free.

And another. My 2008 Kubota M59 has had a hard, hard life and now with lots of hours doing loader and backhoe work mostly in rocks. It has had one cylinder (warranty), one control cable, and two hoses - the last two and possibly all three were caused by me. None actually failed. I was able to go on working until parts came with them all.

That's a lot of work and little problems. That tractor is still doing fine every day.

The JD is down right now awaiting a carb rebuild kit. This will be its second or third carburettor rebuild since 1958.
rScotty

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The issue is more then just the dealer network.

And what issue is that?

 

[BubbaSam]

And what issue is that?

There's not enough of them... In my case the largest one is over an hour away, is supposed to be a 5 star dealer but basically rips people off. It's NOT just me either.