kevanos
Silver Member
I thought that the Bobcat tractor would have at least different sheet-metal from the Kioti/Daedong, but they look identical!
As for the conversation about whether Bobcat, Kioti, Mahindra and Cub Cadet Yanmar would last, I think they probably all will. Kioti has been here for at least 20 years, Mahindra at least 15, and Cub Cadet has an established reputation, (although I think it's been going downhill).
Mahindra is currently the 3rd largest tractor manufacturer/marketer in the world, and is set to become #1 in the next year or two, believe it or not. They currently sell under three brand names with a fourth as a joint venture marketing company. In the USA, they import not only from their home plants in India, but also import and rebadge Mitsubishi's from Japan, and Tong Yang's from S.Korea.
Cub Cadet used to import Mitsubishi's, but switched to Daedong machines (8000 series) and some they assembled using Daihatsu engines. The joint with Yanmar is interesting as Yanmar still builds compacts for John Deere! Yanmar, of course, used to import their own tractors to the US in the 80s.
The other compacts that we've seen come and go are mainly the Chinese ones. Anyone can order a crate of tractors from one of the more than 50 factories in China, sell them, and then be out of business within a year.
However, we've seen other, more established brands on the world market, not make it here... Lamborghini, Hurlimann, Same (all owned by Same Deutz-Fahr, which continues with the DF brand in the USA).
I'd keep an eye on Montana, Farmtrac, Mahindra, McCormick/Landini... they all seem to really be making inroads and seem committed.
Branson, by Kukje in S.Korea, (also a supplier/licensee of John Deere), seems to be holding its own.
Belarus, Zetor, TYM... not so sure.
As for the conversation about whether Bobcat, Kioti, Mahindra and Cub Cadet Yanmar would last, I think they probably all will. Kioti has been here for at least 20 years, Mahindra at least 15, and Cub Cadet has an established reputation, (although I think it's been going downhill).
Mahindra is currently the 3rd largest tractor manufacturer/marketer in the world, and is set to become #1 in the next year or two, believe it or not. They currently sell under three brand names with a fourth as a joint venture marketing company. In the USA, they import not only from their home plants in India, but also import and rebadge Mitsubishi's from Japan, and Tong Yang's from S.Korea.
Cub Cadet used to import Mitsubishi's, but switched to Daedong machines (8000 series) and some they assembled using Daihatsu engines. The joint with Yanmar is interesting as Yanmar still builds compacts for John Deere! Yanmar, of course, used to import their own tractors to the US in the 80s.
The other compacts that we've seen come and go are mainly the Chinese ones. Anyone can order a crate of tractors from one of the more than 50 factories in China, sell them, and then be out of business within a year.
However, we've seen other, more established brands on the world market, not make it here... Lamborghini, Hurlimann, Same (all owned by Same Deutz-Fahr, which continues with the DF brand in the USA).
I'd keep an eye on Montana, Farmtrac, Mahindra, McCormick/Landini... they all seem to really be making inroads and seem committed.
Branson, by Kukje in S.Korea, (also a supplier/licensee of John Deere), seems to be holding its own.
Belarus, Zetor, TYM... not so sure.
-- "IslandTractor"