CT230

[dfeck]

thanks ctfan that is exactly the stuff im looking for, to be honest with you i dont give a sh@t what anyone thinks of the price i pay, i think im getting a great deal. im looking for tractor opinions, i think your post is good enough to order mine after work.
thanks .

If you didn't want opinions on price then DON'T post what you were quoted! Anything you post will get opinions! Must be new to this internet thing. My OPINION is if you don't want people commenting on what you say don't hit the "post" button.

Anyway, good luck with your tractor purchase. If you feel like the tractor will work for your application I wouldn't hesitate to purchase. I'm happy with my CT230 as it does everything I need it to do but for rugged terrain I'd be a little concerned. The reason I say this is that it's my opinion the hydro is a little weak on the Bobcat tractor. The specs appear great on paper compared to JD, Kubota and NH but when starting to work the tractor the hydro seams under powered. I'd had my tractor stop when going into a heavy object that I attempted to pick up. I've owned a similar spec'd JD and the JD would spin the tires not stop. I had to drop it in low gear (from M no H) increase RPM's and hit the wheel lock pedal so I could increase the hydro flow. I never had to do this with my JD. It's not a huge issue to me. I have level ground and for my application the tractor is wonderful especially for the price I paid.

Doug

 

[kraazie8]

if you read my origanal post i never once asked opinion on price. new to internet? seriously? come on! but thanks for info on the tractor wich i clearly asked for in my original post.

 

[Loren49]

I don't understand what spinning the tires has to do with using a tractor on rugged terrain. Also I suspect that the CT230/CK30 is a much heavier tractor than a similar HP JD/Kubota or NH which could explain the difference in percieved power of the Hydro(much more power to spin tires). I feel that a little less power when working on rugged terrain is probably better. You seldom get into trouble from going to slow.

Loren

 

[kraazie8]

just a question on how everyone financed their tractor, without the 0% bobcat deal, i am finding it difficult to find a loan in my area anyway, for a tractor. i can get a signature "personal" loan but rate is high, i can put title up for my pickup and get an auto loan, but what if i wanna trade my truck in the next 5 years. just wondering how everyone financed, i dont know maybe all you guys are rich and paying cash, but my mortgage is kinda steep and i still want to have money to go out and have fun, buy other toys, and not be strapped to a tractor loan. i mean my old relic is paid for. also from what the dealer says, and also their info. packet they gave me it states 30 hp engine, 26.5 at pto, but bobcats website only claims 22 rear pto, that is a huge difference. why such a big jump from the brochure to website?????

 

[CT230 Fan]

I also had some trouble getting a good rate, so I ended up using the Bobcat 0% for 48 months, and paying for the front end loader. I did the math, and it ended up to be about the same money in finance charge, since the local bank was asking for 8%.

 

[DKXJ]

I went with a signature personal loan at 9% for 5 years. Comes out to 2455 in interest. My option was 0% through bobcat which would of saved me 2455 in interest, but cost me 2800 for a loader. Also, at 0%, there is no incentive to pay off the loan early, where as with my 5 year loan, I will pay it off in 2-3 years most likely, which means it only cost about 1200 in interest. Basically, do I pay my bank 12000-2455 or do I pay bobcat 2800 for a loader?

I financed 10k and paid for the rest. The only reason I could see financing through bobcat is if either you dont want the loader, or were unable to get a loan through your own bank.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Ag-Credit had the best rate around my home. it was around 7%, but you did need to put a chunk down.

 

[sugarmaple]

My two cents-
There are some excellent deals on used equipment on our state and adjacent states' Craigslists (but beware the scammers.) The recession has been hard on discretionary payment items.

Only one of the 4 Kubotas I have owned has been new, but all have been dead reliable, and or simple owner fixes. I wish I had thought a little harder about new v. used on the last tractor, and looked harder/been more patient about finding used. In an up economy, available, fair priced, second hand units are much more scarce than they are right now.

This is an excellent time to be buying used implements too. For example, right now on VT Craigslist/Farm and Garden,there is a newish looking Woods BH9000 for $3550 and I suspect the subframe could be finagled too. The ad isn't clear on that, but if one had the right Kubota, this would be an unbeatable deal. Rotary cutters are commonplace too.

Having said all that, the CT 230 looks good, Daedong is a quality manufacturer by all accounts, and that is a LOT of tractor for the money. I guess it comes down to what the warranty is worth to you and DEALER INTEGRITY/AFTER SALE SERVICE. Personally speaking, insurance to help with owner dumbspells and flukes of nature has been more valuable.

On the matter of hydro trans and ground speed, a friend down the road has an L-48 that wont pull a serious hill in High either. My 4330 is much the same, however power seemed to improve markedly around 400 hours so that the same hills now can be pulled with a heavier load. Of course I have gotten to know the machine and how to operate it a lot better as well. These things are just not designed for speed. If you want speed, I would suggest the 7---series JD. All the custom spreaders around here seem to have them, and they whistle down the road somewhere between 25 and 30 mph! ;-)

 

[kraazie8]

i put a down payment down on a ct230 on the 24th of july, waiting for my home equity loan to go through, i figured i would put a covered porch on the house at the same time as getting the bobcat. hopefully the free fel will be still honored since i have a reciept for down payment. i was approved credit wise the appraisal of the house is my hold up, they couldnt get someone to come out to my place that quickly. i better call the dealer tomorrow a little nervouse since they pulled the free fel program.

 

[kraazie8]

free fel still available or 0% financing till august 31, someone started a rumor and i fed in. this is from my dealer and still listed on bobcat website.