1st Tractor Purchase

[Irenekbeard]

Was hoping for some opinions from other tractor owners in regards to buying locally or from a distant dealer. This will be my first tractor purchase for my small farm. I grew up on a farm and am familiar with larger/older tractors from the 60's and 70's that my dad has. Now having my own small farm 10 acres, some on a slight slope, 6 is horse pasture and the other parts are yard and or barn/horse riding ring to give you a good idea of the property. I would mainly be using it for mowing pasture/yard, moving manure, spreading gravel, and cleaning up fallen trees. I have narrowed my search down to the Kubota 2670 and the John Deere 1025R. I have driven both several times and feel more comfortable on the Kubota as I am 5'1" with boots on and was having trouble reaching (even the the seat as far forward as it would go) on the John deer as the brake and forward/reverse are positioned on the front of the foot deck. Where as on the Kubota they are located on the floor and were easily reachable. I did like fender location for the front end loader on the john deer though but being the pedals are going to be paramount necessity It kind of clinched it for me. The local Kubota dealer now has four local locations due to buying out the smaller independent tractor shops so they kind of have the lock on the market around me. Also called to Barlows which seems have the an amazing reputation with the folks on here as being a highly regarded dealer and got a quote. Being a first time owner it makes me nervous buying where a dealer is 2/12 or even states away but the price is so much lower. Has anyone found it being a problem buying from one dealer but using another for service? Do they treat your better buying and service from one or am I overthinking this. I have gone back to the local dealer with the higher price and they pretty much said this was the best they could do.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Irene. Glad you joined us. A good local dealer can be a big difference if you need quick service, otherwise it probably doesn't mater that much. As far as getting parts it shouldn't mater. I bought from a dealer 50 miles away not because he was a little cheaper but because everyone said he was great to deal with and I found that to be true also. I have gone back to him to get attachments and parts because he is happy to know me and goes out of his way to help.

My daughter lives in Camp Hill and I will be up there July 16th weekend to see here.

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings Irene,

Because you are looking at the bx2670 and the jd 1025r you can easily trailer either unit if needed. This reduces the pressure of local dealer servicing that larger tractor owners get concerned with.

Pwrsonally if size of seating is an issue. I'd be looking at a massey gc1715 because its seating and pedal access works for small people or tall people because of seat travel options and controls/steering wheel positioning.

If you like the kubota bx the massey also uses several of the same concepts like front flow engine cooling . . Diff lock . . Etc.. and Massey/iseki like kubota build their own engines as well as the tractirs themselves. But massey is not a copy of kubota . . It has numerous advantages.

In wisconsin numerous kubota dealers also carry massey and massey prices will make you smile and their quality of build will make you proud lol. Why do kubota dealers have massey? Bwcause its a good quality comparison to kubora ans the dealer can make money and please custoners either qay.

But lets assume no massey dealers exist in a 250 mile distance and you can only choose kubota or jd.

Remember that barlows has no sales tax . . So your price delivered is a thousand dollars less almost.

I like kubota (it was my second choice if I didn't get the massey) . . but you'll want to get skid plates so you don't have any hydro cooler fan problems.

I bought from a dealer 125 miles away even though I had other massey dealers just 5 and 25 and 50 miles away. Any of them could and can service my unit but I'd still take it to my dealer 125 miles away if possible because they are stunning in capability and attitude. They have 25 service techs while each of the other dealers has 2 or 4. But my point is . . I didn't need closeness, I needed a dealer and I also wanted backup to that dealer(in house and different locations) . . So I didn't want mahindra or kioti or tym etc..

Choosing a tractor of any size is to me . .

1. Get the product you really like because there are differences.

2. Find a dealer you like who sells that product.

3. Get a price you can live with.

Why this priority order? Simple. You will live with the product you choose every day of ownership while if you picked a good quality product you may only see your dealer 1 to 4 times a year.

Some will claim all scuts are very similar . . And I believe if you are really understanding the products and their abilities . . you'll see considerable differences in each brand. Imo

Best of luck in your search

 

[SteveM70]

I bought my first tractor from Barlows. Great people to deal with and I had zero warranty issues.

At the time I realized I could and would do my own servicing plus be willing to fix the small things on my own time and dime since I felt like my local dealer would remember me as "that guy who didn't buy from them."

It was a little bit of a gamble but tractors, in general, are pretty durable and I think the odds were in my favor.

Edited to say: I agree with Axle on the GC series Massey Ferguson being user friendly. My wife is 5'1 and can operate the tractor comfortably.

 

[AxleHub]

One other input to Irene's question:

Shop rates are very similar for non-warranty work. And warranty rates are the same.

So lets recognize that dealers make money when they keep their service departments busy . . and working on scuts takes less room but generates the same shop rate. If you purchase from a local dealer or buy used from a private party, or purchase from a non-local dealer . . a smart business understands all three make a dealer money when the equipment comes in their shop.

Now if you take a new tractor to a shop that doesn't sell that brand . . now you are talking an enturely different story because theur tools and training and service bulletin system is different.

Don't apologize or feel like you owe them something. You are there to create a service department debt . . you didn't enter with a debt akready created

Again I'll repeat . . smart business people make money by solving customer's needs in an efficient manner. A dealer who only services "what they sell - and only to who they sold it to" . . won't be in business very long. A dealer who sees the chance to do paid service work and maybe sell an implement or two to anyone who has the brands he sells . . should do well.

 

[MF283]

Irene

You solved your choice by mentioning the location of the pedals & ease of the Kubota, as other's have stated, MF is a good brand as well. You'll feel better with one where everything is within reach & you don't have to look to find it.

Ronnie

 

[dragoneggs]

I say you first go with what is comfortable for you to operate. I like to support a local dealer. Seems like you can always find a slight better deal going somewhere further than convenient but I really like supporting the community around me. Makes your home town better. To me it's worth the extra price.

 

[4570Man]

I bought my tractor from a dealer in Wisconsin because it was much cheaper then any local dealer. I buy parts online because once again the local dealer is much higher. Based on my experience the local dealer doesn't have a problem taking your money regardless of where you bought your tractor. I have never had to take any machine back to a dealer for service.

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought my tractor from a dealer in Wisconsin because it was much cheaper then any local dealer. I buy parts online because once again the local dealer is much higher. Based on my experience the local dealer doesn't have a problem taking your money regardless of where you bought your tractor. I have never had to take any machine back to a dealer for service.

I agree with that... I just like supporting my community. It goes way beyond buying a tractor or whatever for the cheapest you can get. For those that curse the Chinese and the US companies doing business there... look in the mirror and your own purchases.

 

[TripleR]

I guess it depends on how much money and your local dealer. If they don't want to make a few bucks on parts, shop work etc. regardless of where my tractor originated, they don't need my money for a new tractor. I buy local and pay a little more, but if the price differential was significant, I'd go elsewhere.

We service all of our tractors and those mentioned are really easy to do.

We own a JD1025R as well as two BXs, the BXs are preferred and my eleven year old grand daughter has no trouble operating it. I do like the position control on the JD 3PH and lack of HST fan though, but we use ours mostly for mowing, so no real issue.

I've researched the MF GC Series, but after getting terrible service from our only local dealer on a new tractors years ago, I won't do business there.

 

[AxleHub]

I guess it depends on how much money and your local dealer. If they don't want to make a few bucks on parts, shop work etc. regardless of where my tractor originated, they don't need my money for a new tractor. I buy local and pay a little more, but if the price differential was significant, I'd go elsewhere.

We service all of our tractors and those mentioned are really easy to do.

We own a JD1025R as well as two BXs, the BXs are preferred and my eleven year old grand daughter has no trouble operating it. I do like the position control on the JD 3PH and lack of HST fan though, but we use ours mostly for mowing, so no real issue.

I've researched the MF GC Series, but after getting terrible service from our only local dealer on a new tractors years ago, I won't do business there.

TripleR, I think if you like the BX products you have . . you will feel quite positive about the MF GC series. In very early 2015 I was at a local Kubota dealer open house. I'd never go back to them. But they did me a world of benefit because I started looking at other dealers and found most other kubita dealers in the area also sold Massey. And that frustration with the 1st dealer moved me to find several other good dealers and eventually my dealer and product chosen.

I fully undetstand that I sound "like a broken record" . . but find the product you like and then find a good dealer to sell it to you and support it and then find a good price.

It isn't about "closeness" to a dealer . . its about continuous use of a good product and everything else can work utself iut. There are poor dealers, good dealers, and great dealers. If its 150 miles away or 10 miles away . . Great products and good dealers make a great combination

 

[varmint]

Ah, the existential question of saving money vs. local guys! I trust you have looked at Messick's? My remote dealings with them have been positive, but at the same time, the three Kubotas I have owned/operated have never required a trip back to a dealer, so the "dealer" hasn't been important from that perspective. As was noted, the tractors you are considering are readily trailer-able, and money being money, maybe price should be a big factor. Does the Deere you are considering have the aluminum rear end? Not universally loved. And, remember that the tractor itself is just a start- attachments will be needed, most likely, as well. Lastly, don't rule out buying used- more machine for your money.

 

[4570Man]

I agree with that... I just like supporting my community. It goes way beyond buying a tractor or whatever for the cheapest you can get. For those that curse the Chinese and the US companies doing business there... look in the mirror and your own purchases.

I try to support my community when I can, but my local dealer is a ripoff. On parts he is more than double higher than what I can get them online for. On tractors he is a couple grand higher, and his trade in price is terrible. If a local business is a few dollars higher I'll try to support them, but I'm not wealth and I won't pay significantly higher prices. Here is some actual experiences with local dealers. My Grandpa wanted to trade his B7200 towards a L3800. Dealer trade in value $1500. Tractor is worth about $3500. My Grandpa wanted a lawnmower. Local dealer has a Kubota ZG222 with 290 hours on it. Asking price $5500. It has been kept outside. I needed a belt for a Dixie chopper. Local dealer wanted $75. I went to Napa and bought a belt for $18. I needed a safety switch for a Cub Cadet. Local dealer $18. Online $7 with free shipping. I needed an idler pulley for a Dixie chopper. Local dealer $40. Online $25 free shipping.

 

[TripleR]

TripleR, I think if you like the BX products you have . . you will feel quite positive about the MF GC series. In very early 2015 I was at a local Kubota dealer open house. I'd never go back to them. But they did me a world of benefit because I started looking at other dealers and found most other kubita dealers in the area also sold Massey. And that frustration with the 1st dealer moved me to find several other good dealers and eventually my dealer and product chosen.

I fully undetstand that I sound "like a broken record" . . but find the product you like and then find a good dealer to sell it to you and support it and then find a good price.

It isn't about "closeness" to a dealer . . its about continuous use of a good product and everything else can work utself iut. There are poor dealers, good dealers, and great dealers. If its 150 miles away or 10 miles away . . Great products and good dealers make a great combination

I'm sure I would like a GC, but since we tend to keep equipment as long as it can reasonable be repaired, still have a 1955 Ford 600 bought new, I'll likely never buy another SCUT. I do like to keep up on them though and followed your thread on buying yours.

I totally agree on dealerships. I won't go near my closest Kubota dealership, terrible sales and service in addition to high prices. I live in a primarily agricultural area and a stand alone Kubota dealer would starve, so we have a Case/Kubota and New Holland/Kubota Dealership.

Closeness can be significant or not depending on the machine, owner and use. We have four Kubotas and if a SCUT goes down it's no big deal, but if our L5740 or M8540 goes down depending on the time of year it can be pretty serious.

 

[Irenekbeard]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback and opinions. It means a lot coming from folks who have a lot of experience with tractors. After going to multiple dealerships these past weeks and test driving til I'm blue in the face. I drove john deere, mahindra, Massey Ferguson, kubota, yanmar and kioti. Some were scratched simply due to location of pedals and controls etc for someone shorter were just not going to work. One the dealer just rubbed me the wrong way and got crossed off. Comparing the ones left, comfort, ease of use, price and dealer service I decided on the......Kubota bx2670 with 60" drive over mmm, fell and bush hog. I noticed a few people put skid plates over the hst fan but read that with the drive over deck that's not possible. Thoughts??

 

[Irenekbeard]

I did purchase from the local dealer after all. They were very helpful and offered delivery to my farm to show me how to use it around my property. I also had two LED work lights added to the rops bar(one forward, one backward).

 

[TripleR]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback and opinions. It means a lot coming from folks who have a lot of experience with tractors. After going to multiple dealerships these past weeks and test driving til I'm blue in the face. I drove john deere, mahindra, Massey Ferguson, kubota, yanmar and kioti. Some were scratched simply due to location of pedals and controls etc for someone shorter were just not going to work. One the dealer just rubbed me the wrong way and got crossed off. Comparing the ones left, comfort, ease of use, price and dealer service I decided on the......Kubota bx2670 with 60" drive over mmm, fell and bush hog. I noticed a few people put skid plates over the hst fan but read that with the drive over deck that's not possible. Thoughts??

Check with Bro-Tek and BXpanded to see if they have designed one for it yet.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

BXpanded's page for the UnderArmor says: "Will not fit tractors with the 2016 optional 60-inch Easy-Over drive-over deck mounts installed."

Irene, you might want to call Harry at BXpanded and see if he is working on a design that will work with drive-over deck mounts. He's a super nice guy.

 

[Irenekbeard]

Thanks I'll do that!