American made tractors?

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I think Kubota is the tractor company that may be closest to the one that builds everything in-house. They outsource very little.

I agree Builder, maybe some others like Zetor, Ursus, Belarus...
Hey!, Belarus and Kubota might have something in common!

Although... I think I read somewhere that Kubota is building an assembly plant in Thailand to build tractors for the rice growing industry which is huge there.

 

[NuBota]

I always scratch my head on these types of threads. Seems like the discussion revolves around what percentage of the tractor in American made and where the money goes.

As far as they percentage of the tractor, not sure it matters.

But where the money goes gets me wondering. Have much revenue is generated by the tractor itself vs the revenue generated before and after the sale. Big ticket items usually have a small margin. But when you think of distribution, service/maintenance and parts - I always felt that is where the money is made.

Obviously, if the tractor was 100% American made, then all replacement parts would be as well. If the frame of my American tractor was made and assembled in the US - well that's great - but how often are those components replaced vs the engine, tranny, hydraulics, etc. Routine maintenance items (filters, etc) probably have the highest margin and most volume - likely generating the most revenue - but where is THAT money going....?

Might be all wet - but just another thought on the topic....

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I don't think that the quality thing is what bothers people. I think several of the imports, well, at least one, isusually thought of as having the best quality.

I think people naturally want to support US based companies that support US based workers. And I think that is a good and proper impulse. But I think it is impossible. And in that regard no one is more or less patriotic or supportive of the American worker whether he buys a Kubota or a Deere.

BUT...the rationalization used by more than most is that tractors built on foriegn soil (other than Japan) are automatically of lower quality. While that MAY be true in some cases, it's more to do with who an how they're made and NOT where.

And again, if those same buyers want to support a US based company, why not AGCO? (Duluth Georgia) (MF/Cat Challenger)

 

[WilliamBos]

BUT...the rationalization used by more than most is that tractors built on foriegn soil (other than Japan) are automatically of lower quality. While that MAY be true in some cases, it's more to do with who an how they're made and NOT where.

And again, if those same buyers want to support a US based company, why not AGCO? (Duluth Georgia) (MF/Cat Challenger)

Well said Bill. I really think that mindset needs to change. It is not where they are made, it could be the person on the line had a bad day or whatever. After all, if ANY ONE try's to tell me that have never had a problem with anything built in NA, I will show you a liar.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Are Kubota's cabs and drivetrains made in Waterloo Iowa like Deere? No. Deere makes transmissions in Kansas too. Are their loaders made in Welland Ont? No.
Does Kubota make engines in Mexico? (We're talking NAFTA here folks) - No.

Your statement is true about the large farm equipment, however the compacts and utility tractors are not done in those factories. Deere does not hide that, if you look at the spec sheets it says made in Japan or India right on then. While Deere and Yanmar have begun to part ways, they are still very much involved with each other.

the money goes gets me wondering. Have much revenue is generated by the tractor itself vs the revenue generated before and after the sale. Big ticket items usually have a small margin. But when you think of distribution, service/maintenance and parts - I always felt that is where the money is made.

For those who care about buying American made, this is exactly where the conversation should be. This is why car companies have to put this on their window stickers. The profit is peanuts compared to the infrastructure and materials used in producing the product. A Toyota Tundra is more American made than a Dodge Ram, just like a Kubota BX is more American made than a subcomapct Deere. In both cases the Japanese company is doing more for this country than the American one.

 

[redneckford]

Your statement is true about the large farm equipment, however the compacts and utility tractors are not done in those factories. Deere does not hide that, if you look at the spec sheets it says made in Japan or India right on then. While Deere and Yanmar have begun to part ways, they are still very much involved with each other.



For those who care about buying American made, this is exactly where the conversation should be. This is why car companies have to put this on their window stickers. The profit is peanuts compared to the infrastructure and materials used in producing the product. A Toyota Tundra is more American made than a Dodge Ram, just like a Kubota BX is more American made than a subcomapct Deere. In both cases the Japanese company is doing more for this country than the American one.

I guess that all those $7 per hour employee's are buying all those tractors and houses and cars---Wrong answer---People want other people to work for nothing so that their dollar will go further---union and nonunion---Did anyone say Wally World-----We have to change that way of thinking----We can not expect a service mechanic to work on your stuff cause you are too Lazy??? unknowledgable----or what ever other excuse you want to use and then raise heck cause someone wants to make a "profit"!!!!to pay the bills---gotta wonder about all these folks that think everyone but them are getting rich in the tractor business---many dealers can not stay in business if we buy all our parts on line and only use them when it is to difficult to do ourselves---it is all about me me me---I understand that is how the capitalist system works---but we are not in a vacuum here---many foreign parts MFG's get government assistance just like many right here in the US. I do not have the answer but sending $700 billion a year overseas is not the correct answer neither is sending all our Manufacting jobs off shore cause they will work and live for less----HOW MANY TRACTORS HAVE THE $7 PER HOUR HAND BOUGHT IN THE LAST 5 YEARS---IT COULD BE YOUR JOB NEXT!!!! How many people have a job building airplanes for the exec's to ride in---think they are mad that the exec's flew to D.C.----what about the pilot -what about the guy working at the airport---ALL THOSE JOBS MATTER TOO!!!!

 

[SouthernX]

Who Killed Detroit and the U.S.A.?

VDARE.com: 11/20/08 - Who Killed Detroit?

You have to read the entire article or it won't make sense.

 

[Builder]

Good stuff.

 

[redneckford]

Who Killed Detroit and the U.S.A.?

VDARE.com: 11/20/08 - Who Killed Detroit?

You have to read the entire article or it won't make sense.

The truth is painful!!!

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Your statement is true about the large farm equipment, however the compacts and utility tractors are not done in those factories.

My 5425 "utility" tractor was. Maybe more accurately, SCUTs and CUTs aren't.

In both cases the Japanese company is doing more for this country than the American one.

How? Kubota has only one facility in Gainesville, Georgia where, according to their website, "one-third of all Kubota branded equipment sold in the United States is manufactured or assembled". Mostly "assembled" i would guess, which is basically, putting the ancillary bits on crated tractors shipped from Japan. I would like to know what is actually "manufactured" there. They do show a nice picture of some good 'ole boys putting the tires on some RTVs.