Another confused first timer

[rScotty]

Interesting. So what you're talking about here is blade tip speed or spindle speed.

I hadn't heard that argument about gear reduction and cost of gearing. That's a new one on me, too. Although I agree that spinning blades faster makes for a smoother cut. It also makes the grass stand up to be cut.

Something else we know is that stresses go up at the square of velocity, so designing something to spin faster always costs more. And it can be quite a bit more $$ for a fairly modest increase in rotational speed.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

We've had a couple of independent auto mechanics try to start up similar services, but so far none have succeeded.

What I have personally found with using them is they are never as good as the dealer. They are not thorough and even make bad recommendations and they still charge a lot of money to do very mediocre work. My advice: Go with the dealer of your equipment.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Something else we know is that stresses go up at the square of velocity, so designing something to spin faster always costs more. And it can be quite a bit more $$ for a fairly modest increase in rotational speed.

I also did not know that. Thanks for the insight Scotty.

 

[LouNY]

What I have personally found with using them is they are never as good as the dealer. They are not thorough and even make bad recommendations and they still charge a lot of money to do very mediocre work. My advice: Go with the dealer of your equipment.

I'm glad ours are not that poor. Most do the same or better quality work for less money.

 

[Hoodoo]

Great insight guys, thank you.

FYI, I called and left a message for this guy Monday afternoon......haven't heard back yet. Maybe they don't need business from a small potatoes like me....?

 

[rScotty]

I'm glad ours are not that poor. Most do the same or better quality work for less money.

That's about the way the mobile auto mechanics are here. Most of their work is routine maintenance or nearly so. They and their service trucks aren't nearly as sophisticated as the mobile tractor mechanics.

The auto guys stick to basic work rather than dealer-type specialized work.
For that kind of work they do a good job, often better than the dealer and as you say for less money.

I'm kind of surprised they haven't become more popular. Maybe it's because there are still plenty of inexpensive neighborhood small garages.

 

[rScotty]

Great insight guys, thank you.

FYI, I called and left a message for this guy Monday afternoon......haven't heard back yet. Maybe they don't need business from a small potatoes like me....?

Do you know if they actually have those tractors and implements on site at their dealership? That would tell you a lot. Might even be worth a trip there. If they are close enough to consider spending 20K with, shouldn't they they be close enough for a visit?

It could be that they have a few machines - or none at all & are trying to gauge interest before putting in an order with their supplier.

Or maybe he is so busy delivering tractors he hasn't gotten back yet.
rScotty

 

[Hoodoo]

Their picture shows dozens of them....they wouldn't fake a picture would they?

 

[TexasDigger]

Scope all dealers within 50mile radius of you to see what your service/repair options are first. You don't have to buy local but you will always want to have repairs/parts/etc within short distance. Kioti, LS, Branson, TYM, & Mahindra would probably be the frontrunners. So far, I've owned two Kiotis and love them. I actually preferred LS, but my Kioti dealer was WAY closer if I need any parts or repairs that I can't manage myself. Convenience of your dealer will be a factor like it or not unfortunately. Branson & TYM are probably the least expensive in the lineup but both make good tractors; followed by LS/Kioti. I steered away from TYM when I bought my compact because at the time they only came with Yanmar engines that basically required a dealer to diagnose - I believe many of the new TYM's come with Kukje engines now so these would also be a STRONG contender!). Mahindra is also solid but will usually be a smidge more in price. Poke around on craigslist and see if any of your local dealers offer package deals (including a trailer if you need one to haul in for maintenance/repairs etc). After you find the best 24-29HP tractor that fits your needs at the right price - pop on it. My personal rule is: "If you can put a belly-mower on it, it's an overpriced lawnmower!" but depending on your property, one of the sub-compacts may work for you. On 25-29hp compacts, you're probably not going to get a full package with trailer for under 20k though.

If you want any implements other than the tractor/loader/trailer - usually better to bundle up front instead of later since you can typically get a better deal when you package in some other basic necessities besides just the tractor/loader/trailer (box blade [BB], rotary cutter [RC], post hole digger [PHD], tiller, etc.) - And don't forget the pallet forks - ABSOLUTE LIFE SAVER! For that size tractor you can find a cheap middle buster for <$200 all day online so no need to finance that (very handy for running new underground electric/water lines etc). You may also find a better deal on a RC or BB used on CL (have found many smaller units <$500 each). If you ever think you will need a backhoe... weigh out the cost to buy Vs. rental in the long run. If any neighbors own one - have as many BBQ's as possible & make good friends with them! I've found that I definitely need one and will be getting one soon after considering the numerous times I've had to hand dig halfway to China!

 

[DieselBound]

I have an 18 year old 30 horse kubota, a 6 year old 50 horse kubota, a 8 year old kubota rtv, a 4 year old 75 horse kubota compact tract loader and a 3 year old branson 78 horse tractor. If i had it to do over the last tractor would have been a kubota. Everything but one tractor and the RTV were bought from different dealers.

The kubota’s have been flawless and I do abuse them. My father has a kubota BX also and loves it.

i have no connection to kubota but do live in TN so I am partial to orange. Lol

Would that "last" tractor be the B7800?

1,800+ hrs on my B7800. Life would have been easy if it had only seen 5 acres: I've got 40 and it was total crap- 10' high grasses and LOTS of logging and tree debris, not to mention blackberries.

My Kioti (about 750 hrs on it now) has done everything that I'd expected/needed it to do and has been very reliable once some early hiccups got taken care of by the dealer.