BX22 Availability

[dmartin88]

Tomaay, thanks for the update and glad to hear you have a tractor. I found a BX22 at another dealer this morning and it supposed to be delivered to me at 8:30 tomorrow morning, price about the same as the original order. Just appears to be a fluke as I was calling some other dealers and talked to a salesman just as 2 units were being taken off the truck. Not going to believe it until I see it in the yard but will see. Hopefully 4X5ViewInVA will receive his as well and a parade (or at least a cup of coffee to compare notes) might be a good idea.

I had also sent a note to the Kubota contact on their web page for their Georgia operation. My note basically said I was disappointed with my dealer as they seem to be unable to get a status from the folks there in Georgia. I received a prompt reply which said that the people in Georgia do provide good updates and I should contact my dealer for clarification.

I replied that a note to say that I should talk to the dealer when it was the dealer I was concerned about was of no help. Today, I received two more emails saying that my local dealer had been contacted and I would receive the "next" BX22 in the door, I let them know that there were 2 other folks ahead of me in line so want you to know that I didn't try to take a tractor not meant for me!

Just kidding, hoping the frustration can end tomorrow and I can soon be making posts in other areas of this board about USING my tractor. I too hope to establish a relationship with the local dealer and my salesman was very professional when I let him know that I had found a tractor from a different dealer. I've also ordered a bush hog from the original dealer and will try to do business there as my first choice in future purchases.

Will provide an update tomorrow on the promised delivery, dave.

 

[Rick Jay]

I was just at my dealer (Leahy Equipment, Holyoke MA), and he has one BX22 on the lot. With loader and backhoe, he wants $15,900. He said that availibility on them is very limited. He's not expecting any more in until July, and even with that, he's not certain how many he'll get then.

~Rick

 

[dmartin88]

BX22 arrived today at 8:30 am as promised. Just had time to drive it around the yard a few times but got a good introduction, looks like it will do all I'm expecting. Will start planting some trees this weekend if the weather cooperates.

Also received a second note from Tom Sieper at Kubota who is the product manager for the BX22 line, welcomed me to the Kubota ownership crowd and said they were doing all they could to allocate tractors as fast as they can to the dealers with orders outstanding. He said they had seen a 50% increase in sales this year over last year which was over a "very successful" 2002.

Can't wait to get some hours in the seat, look forward to exchanging information and getting help from the experienced users in this forum. As FYI, I would recommend Jeremy at Byrd Tractor in Manassas if you're looking for a new tractor.

 

[manganos]

Congrats. Now i want to see a picture of it. Oh yeah make sure it has some dirt on it too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you want to see a stuck BX22 go to my yahoo photos page and then go to the kubota bx22. It is the last picture.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

:::sigh::: Well, it seems I'm the last guy in line, still waiting to know something certain about the arrival of my tractor in Purcellville. Heard from the fellow in Georgia (Rick McPeak, the District Sales Manager) who is supposed to be they guy who is allocating tractors to dealers. He claims that he doesn't know either when anything is shipping until it ships. He also claimed that orders flagged as retail orders (rather than for dealer inventory) have been expedited, and mine would have been had they known. Rick's rep in Virginia is trying to get a tractor destined for dealer inventory somewhere else (and not already slated for a specific retail customer) turned my direction. Everyone is very apologetic, everyone claims that their hands are clean, that they are as frustrated as I am, and that they are unable to make anything different happen. Meanwhile, I'm just the guy without a seat at the end of the tune. I'm now hearing everything from "next week looks hopeful" to "it could be mid to late June" depending on who I talk to and where they think the machine could originate (the factory or another dealer). Nothing definite, no commitment, no promise anyone can be held to. The order is a month old, and I may be waiting another month. I'm having second thoughts about trying to buy orange. Most frustrating experience trying to become someone's retail customer that I can remember.

 

[firefighter201]

Hi every one. I'm new here but I did alot of checking around in my neck of the woods as to the avalibility of our beloved BX22. Today I called no less than 6 dealers in Mass, Ct , and NH. They all have said at least 4 to 8 weeks on delivery on the BX22. Prices varied in the 16,000 range. I'll be ordering mine this weekend. With the finance deal from Kubota and the fact that alot of lawn care services are scoffing them up like crazy combined with only one plant producing them, the wait will just get longer.

 

[Rick Jay]

firefighter201,

Did you check Leahy Equipment in Holyoke, MA? They had one as of Thursday morning (5/22) sitting right out front.

~Rick

 

[5030]

My dealer in Adrain, Michigan has 5 sitting in the yard. You want me to buy you one and put it on my goose neck and deliver it to you?
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I am experiencing a little frustration getting my bx22. I thing I negociated a good deal on the tractor and attachments. I will buy the Kubota insurance I am pre approved for the %0 percent financing. I believed I ordered it about the 15th of may. I put down my deposit. I think I will have it around the 2nd week of June. I am buying it from this dealer because he is 3 miles from my home. I am having a problem with my salesman he is kind of deceptive like a used car salesman I think he is more interested in the sale than good customer sercvice and future purchaces from me ! I asked for the four spool valve on my tractor and the salesman said there wern't any available at this time and they didn't want write it into the contract to install it later. I called the regional office in Torrance California and after talking with kubota hq my dealer called me back and offered to install the valve at a later date for. 300- bucks. I called the deler on friday and asked that they not charge me or reduce the installation price. I hope that I will have a good relationship with the dealership ? How inportant is a good relationship with a salesman ? I do not think I will purchace from this salesman in the future. The salesman said that they have a tractor for me and that if I wanted to wait for the four spool valve I could wait until september. I hope I get good service after the sale ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif David

 

[Anonymous Poster]

David43a,

You're getting jerked around, and should call the owner of the dealership, rather than sitting still while the salesman fails to deal straight with you. The 4 position valve should cost only about $80.00, and the dealer should install it for you since he doesn't have one in his pipeline. You shouldn't have to bring it back for it, they should install it before you take delivery. It is not something so complex that the dealer cannot do it in his service facility. Beyond that, given the track record of Kubota at the moment on these machines, September isn't out of the question if the valve is factory-installed. But the dealer shouldn't make you wait for that. The dealer can also swap machines with other dealers to get one with the 4-position valve if it isn't in his pipeline from Kubota. If you've been approved for financing through Kubota, and haven't put money in the hands of this dealer, I'd call the owner first, and if that doesn't improve the service level, find another dealer. Driving from Escondido to somewhere else in San Diego County for better treatment would be worth it in my humble opinion. Good luck to you.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

have you received your tractor yet ?I did talk to one of the owners of the company He said that he would charge the salesman for the labor to swap the vlave ? Is this possible I don't know how commissioned salesmen work ? I think the salesman got the idea to charge me $300 form the owner ? for the installation plus the $85. dollars for the option in the contract. Even the owner wanted to talk me out of the 4 spool valve.! Maby they don't understand give the customer what the customer wants ? The delership seems to sell a lot of tractors a lot of them set up the way the customer wants. I am a little impatient once I want the tractor and I an in a position to buy it I don't want to wait for it. Or get any crap from the salesman or the dealership just good customer service the tractor delivered the way I want it set up and a fair price.
There is another dealer that I like better, but he is 150 miles away and as of last week he had a tractor in stock. I did put donwn $1000 dollars deposit and I did sign something I am not sure if it was a contract because the salesman said the they would type up the contract when the tractor is set and ready to deliver with attachments. David. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[GaryG]

I have a question on the 4 way valve. Does it make the loader any more usable or is it for other front mounted implements?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Gary I was told that it was for the front impliments. I was also told that it made the bucket dump faster I am not sure about the 2nd part. If you choose to get it later the valve alone would be about $500. the labor being extra to install they want to charge me $300 dollars to install the valve bacause they don't have it in stock. I hope you have had a much more plesant experience with henry that I have had with john take care I hope you enjoy your tractor when it is delivered next week /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif David

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Gary,

The 4-way valve is essential to use implements like a hydraulic front blade (vs. setting it manually) or a hydraulic two-stage snow blower. Those implements require it. I cannot speak to the utility of the loader with the 4-way v. 3-way. Doesn't make logical sense, but I'm still waiting for my tractor. Perhaps one of the fellows who has live experience can speak to that question.

--- Wayne

 

[5030]

My 5030 has the 4 way valve standard. It is indeed for operation of an angling plow or chute rotator on a front mounted blower but it also works with the fel. It allows you to "quick dump" the bucket. It is called a regenerative valve. With the fel, it allows the cylinders to be quickly emptied of fluid. The cab models have a really slick joystick setup that mounts right next to the seat. It's a natural position for your right hand. very convenient.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Gary,

The 4-way valve is essential to use implements like a hydraulic front blade (vs. setting it manually) or a hydraulic two-stage snow blower. Those implements require it. I cannot speak to the utility of the loader with the 4-way v. 3-way. )</font>

Correct! As far as additional functionality of 4 way vs 3 way and the loader, the 4 way allows for a "rapid dump" operation by pushing the lever to the extreme right. That is the only difference. Hardly a critical difference in my opinion. Those who will not mount the power angle front plow, utility sweeper, or the front mounted snow thrower probably shouldn't concern themselves all that much if they can't get the 4 way valve.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hey Wayne hear is the latest on my trying to buy the bx22 from my dealer. My tractor is at the dealership or at least the salesman told me the the only one on the lot is reserved for me. I asked him if I could take it home today or by Saturday?
He said no way they are short two drivers [ one is out with a broken leg ] the other one ?[ I guess quit ? ] A tractor prep person quit, and I am ten tractors down on the prep and delivery schedule??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif What does it take to prep a bx22 the tractor is allready assembled? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I know the he is selling me about $3,000 worth of inpliments. He said they were going to try to send a trailer down for them today . Yea right. He would not give me the tractor and send the impliments at a later time !!! The other dealer in Calif that had the next best price is out of kubota tractors to sell. So the way I see it I have to wait for a popular tractor in demand from a Dealer that is having employee retention problems. And buying from a salesman that I don't care for.!!!!! I hope he can deliver in two weeks the salesman isn't making any promises !!! suck a deal. I don't know if I should sit on my hands and do nothing for a fiew weeks of call and ***** to the owner or kubota. ?? Daivd

 

[GaryG]

David,
I got my BX22 yesterday. Henry delivered it and spent about 3 hours showing me how to remove the backhoe and assemble the 3 Point hitch. It was so hot that he drank about a gallon of my ice water. As to the 3 way valve. I spent 3 hours moving dirt and rocks with the loader. I can't imagine wanting the bucket to drop any faster than it does. I don't think I will ever need a 4 way valve. No snowblower and I can use the box scraper easier than a blade on the front. I think it is a great toy (tool). I told my neighbor that came to drool, it was a tractor, dunebuggy or a Harley Screamin' Eagle Deuce. The Harley's are all sold and I have lots of yard to play in. I'm Happy, hope you get yours soon.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Well, this should be the last post from me in this thread (unless I post actual photos of the machine when I have it.) The last three days have been fascinating, and a wild ride.

I received a call on Tuesday from the dealer in Frederick MD, who had promised to call me only if he had a machine in hand to sell me. It was rolling off the truck when he called. Could have knocked me over with a feather. Trying to buy locally, I called the dealer in Purcellville (3 miles from me) and told him my preference was still to buy from him, but I now had a bird in the hand that I had to seriously consider since availability was so uncertain.

Needless to say, the Purcellville dealer was hugely frustrated that another dealer was receiving a machine for dealer inventory when he had retail orders he couldn't fill. He called Kubota, only to learn that Rick McPeak (Regional Sales Manager) is out / unavailable this week. Maddening.

The owner of the dealer in Purcellville then got on the phone with two other dealers trying to work out a swap: other inventory for a BX for me. By close of business he was close, but no guarantee, and I gave the folk in Frederick my commitment.

Wednesday morning, the Purcellville dealer called and was very confident that he could made the swap work. Having to make a decision, I had decided to go for the sure thing rather than gamble again. He called later in the day to let me know that he had worked out a trade, made it happen, driven down personally to get the machine, and had the tractor in hand, on his lot. Amazing. I went from no BX available anywhere to two of them from which to choose. I told him I had made the commitment to the other dealer already, and wanted to honor it.

The owner of the dealership in Purcellville told me to call if anything went wrong with the transaction. I had a concern (from confusion) yesterday about the pricing for the whole machine (BX22 TLB, 60" MMM, Bar Tires, 4-position valve, hydraulic front blade, cover, chain hooks on the buckets, 2 lights on the ROPS, factory manual & illustrated parts list, filters and fluids for the 50 hour service.) Got final comparison numbers (apples to apples) from both to put my concern / confusion to bed. Dealer in Frederick was $700.00 lower. So the order stayed with him.

Moving the Kubota financing from the Virginia dealer nearest me to the one 30 miles away was a snap. The dealer in Frederick has already swapped the turfs for bar/ag tires, the 3-position valve for the 4-position I need, and are installing the lights and chain hooks today. Tractor will be delivered in Saturday morning. No need to drive up there, the paperwork will be completed when the delivery is made. All in all, should be painless.

In the end, both the dealer in Frederick and the one in Purcellville communicated the same frustration with Kubota about availability and communication. Neither could get good information, despite all of Kubota's claims to the contrary. In no case was anyone at Kubota able to be definite about shipping and delivery dates. My machine was a complete surprise to the Frederick dealer when it arrived. While I was frustrated with the inability to get a clear answer from the dealer in Purcellville early on, it turns out that only a small part of the bad communication was their responsibility. Most of it belongs clearly to Kubota. From my direct, first-hand contact with Kubota, their confusion / miscommunication became completely clear. No one I spoke with knew what would happen when, what machines were being manufactured when. And no one had the authority to make anything different happen.

I suspect that what will play out is the pipeline staying dry throughout this growing season. With dealers getting half the BX22 machines they order, I expect that they will order twice what they really need. Kubota will catch up over the winter, the backorders will get filled, and there will be a glut in the pipeline. And next Spring the BX22 won't be rare. Instead, there will be factory discounts on them. Distribution channel management 101.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice in this thread. For me, it was hugely valuable and encouraging. Look for pictures when I can post them. And I'll look forward to joining the "Kubota Owning / Operating" threads once I have enough hours in the seat to post something worth reading.

--- Wayne

 

[R10]

I ordered a BX22 from Frederick last Thursday 5/22/03.
What was the price that you received?