daTeacha
Veteran Member
Well, right now my search for the ideal is kind of at boiling point. There is a Cadet 7305, 2003, 190 hrs, R4s, FEL for $9950 before I start talking with them. Guys here tell me I can get a new Mahindra 2015 with R1s for close to that. Or I can get into a new Case DX26 at A-plan prices.
The Cadet is supposedly the Mahindra 3015 in white/yellow paint. According to guys on the Cadet board, it's a solid tractor with expensive filters. I feel a sense of loyalty to Cadet, but not especially to the dealer who has it.
The Mahindra dealer seems to be a great guy, starting up on his own after being in the tractor business for 10 years or so working for other people. He has plans to expand his operation so he can get a better shop set up. Right now, all his service work on Mahindra's and trades is done in an oversize garage on the back of the lot.
The Case can be had from a dealer I've dealt with for many years, and these guys also sell Cadets, but don't suggest buying one as opposed to the Case and Kubota lines. They say they have had a lot of service issues with them.
On top of all this, I don't have a firm price from anyone for my B7100 in trade. I think I can probably bring the Cadet home for about $6000, the Mahindra for $7500, and the Case for about $8500. The Cadet is stronger, the Mahindra has a better warranty, and the Case probably fits my body better.
Used CUTs are pretty rare around here. Prices tend to be pretty high, both for trade and to buy. The Deere dealer and a NH dealer ballpark my B7100 between $4 and $5 on a trade sight unseen and expect to resell it quickly for a profit.
Given all that and the fact that I expect the tractor to be working just fine in 20 years or more, which way would you guys tend to jump? Presume that except for the tires the tractors are set up the same. I really don't know at this point, but presume the Cadet is a hydro. I can get the other two in gear if I prefer although the Case would then be the Dx23, and can get Ags on either new tractor. I'm going over to look at the Cadet this morning. That dealer also sells Case (and Kubota), so I can park them side by side, take measurements, and jump from seat to seat to see what fits best. I haven't seen it yet, but I think I can probably adapt some other air filter cannister to work on the Cadet if the filters really are upwards of $60 each. I also need to check the price on Mahindra filters since they are also a Mitsu item.
The Cadet is supposedly the Mahindra 3015 in white/yellow paint. According to guys on the Cadet board, it's a solid tractor with expensive filters. I feel a sense of loyalty to Cadet, but not especially to the dealer who has it.
The Mahindra dealer seems to be a great guy, starting up on his own after being in the tractor business for 10 years or so working for other people. He has plans to expand his operation so he can get a better shop set up. Right now, all his service work on Mahindra's and trades is done in an oversize garage on the back of the lot.
The Case can be had from a dealer I've dealt with for many years, and these guys also sell Cadets, but don't suggest buying one as opposed to the Case and Kubota lines. They say they have had a lot of service issues with them.
On top of all this, I don't have a firm price from anyone for my B7100 in trade. I think I can probably bring the Cadet home for about $6000, the Mahindra for $7500, and the Case for about $8500. The Cadet is stronger, the Mahindra has a better warranty, and the Case probably fits my body better.
Used CUTs are pretty rare around here. Prices tend to be pretty high, both for trade and to buy. The Deere dealer and a NH dealer ballpark my B7100 between $4 and $5 on a trade sight unseen and expect to resell it quickly for a profit.
Given all that and the fact that I expect the tractor to be working just fine in 20 years or more, which way would you guys tend to jump? Presume that except for the tires the tractors are set up the same. I really don't know at this point, but presume the Cadet is a hydro. I can get the other two in gear if I prefer although the Case would then be the Dx23, and can get Ags on either new tractor. I'm going over to look at the Cadet this morning. That dealer also sells Case (and Kubota), so I can park them side by side, take measurements, and jump from seat to seat to see what fits best. I haven't seen it yet, but I think I can probably adapt some other air filter cannister to work on the Cadet if the filters really are upwards of $60 each. I also need to check the price on Mahindra filters since they are also a Mitsu item.
