DavesTractor
Elite Member
Mahindra, Kioti and Branson/Century are great machines and you get a lot for your money. The resale issue has been debated so many times, but essentially you pay less for the machine and it is worth less when you sell it. So where is the loss? At least here in California where I live (and sell tractors), we never see people trying to give away a used Branson, Mahindra or Kioti. As soon as one is advertised, it is gone. It may be different elsewhere, but that is the case here.
The Chinese tractors are worth a lot less, but again they are very cheap to purchase. In my opinion, they aren't a good value unless you enjoy working on your tractor and are willing to accept old technology and poor ergonomics. Some really like them though, so to each his own. Certainly you get a lot of metal per $$.
On the grays, you likely will not get power-steering and you will not get a ROPS. Parts are available, but they will often need to be ordered and sent to you. Sometimes you will have to settle for a used part or an aftermarket part, or have a dealer order the part direct from Japan. Quality is good, but they certainly have issues, especially if you don't have a capable dealer behind you. I sell them, as well as Mahindra and Branson, but a gray market tractor isn't for everyone or every application.
On a world-wide basis, Mahindra sells about the same amount of units as John Deere and Kubota, sometimes more. They are relatively new in the USA, about 10 years, so the dealer network is still being developed, but it is growing very quickly. The smaller Mahindra's are built in Japan by Mitsubishi, the medium size in S. Korea, and the larger ones in India.
Back on resale for a minute, all brands suffer a loss from new to used. If you finance, there is more to consider. For example, a used JD (or other major brand) with let's say 100 hours on it will generally not be offered with 0% financing (unless it is a rental return). If you have to finance through a typical used tractor rate you will pay about 7.5%. That will cost you about $2000 in interest. So right off the bat, the used tractor is worth $2000 less to the typical buyer. Then deduct a little for the 100 hours and a few scratches and you will see that if you can't buy it for $2500 off of new price, it isn't a savings at all.
I've talked a lot about the ones I sell and like, but I will be the first to say that JD, New Holland and Kubota make fine machines. The are recognized by everyone and have well established dealer networks. They are a great choice, but don't be afraid to look at some alternate makes.
The Chinese tractors are worth a lot less, but again they are very cheap to purchase. In my opinion, they aren't a good value unless you enjoy working on your tractor and are willing to accept old technology and poor ergonomics. Some really like them though, so to each his own. Certainly you get a lot of metal per $$.
On the grays, you likely will not get power-steering and you will not get a ROPS. Parts are available, but they will often need to be ordered and sent to you. Sometimes you will have to settle for a used part or an aftermarket part, or have a dealer order the part direct from Japan. Quality is good, but they certainly have issues, especially if you don't have a capable dealer behind you. I sell them, as well as Mahindra and Branson, but a gray market tractor isn't for everyone or every application.
On a world-wide basis, Mahindra sells about the same amount of units as John Deere and Kubota, sometimes more. They are relatively new in the USA, about 10 years, so the dealer network is still being developed, but it is growing very quickly. The smaller Mahindra's are built in Japan by Mitsubishi, the medium size in S. Korea, and the larger ones in India.
Back on resale for a minute, all brands suffer a loss from new to used. If you finance, there is more to consider. For example, a used JD (or other major brand) with let's say 100 hours on it will generally not be offered with 0% financing (unless it is a rental return). If you have to finance through a typical used tractor rate you will pay about 7.5%. That will cost you about $2000 in interest. So right off the bat, the used tractor is worth $2000 less to the typical buyer. Then deduct a little for the 100 hours and a few scratches and you will see that if you can't buy it for $2500 off of new price, it isn't a savings at all.
I've talked a lot about the ones I sell and like, but I will be the first to say that JD, New Holland and Kubota make fine machines. The are recognized by everyone and have well established dealer networks. They are a great choice, but don't be afraid to look at some alternate makes.
