CubCadet/Yanmar

Superclyde007 · Jun 21, 2007

From what I understand this is not Yanmar building components or even complete tractors and then selling them as they did to John Deere as a vendor.
A new company called CUTSCO was formed with a 50/50 partnership between Cub and Yanmar with a mixture of Japanese and American management.
This could be very interesting as it progresses.

As far as the Ex3200 being a repainted AF326D I don't believe that is the case.

LMTC · Jun 21, 2007

My understanding is that it IS Yanmar building complete tractors and then selling them to a vendor....the vendor just happens to be CUTS instead of JD or MF or Agco, or NH. The newly formed corporation called CUTS does NOT manufacture tractors. They market tractors made by Yanmar and badged as Cubs. And I cannot imagine that it will help when people discover that aftermarket suppliers seem to provide better parts support for grey market yanmars (which as we all know are completely unsupported by YA in this country) than YA does for the domestically sold Yanmars. Can the owner of a domestically sold Yanmar that did not have a ROPS initially purchase one from Yanmar? It is my understanding that they cannot. There are other parts which have apparently become NA, as we get more and more inquiries from owners of domestically sold Yanmars looking for parts support.

EFC · Jun 21, 2007

Superclyde007 said:
As far as the Ex3200 being a repainted AF326D I don't believe that is the case.

Your right that it is not completely just a repainted AF326D, I thought I explained it being a base model. For the US the first thing they had to remove was the quick steer 80 degree front axle with active 4wd turn engagement/disengagement. Then they removed the 6 speed PTO with reverse option. Then they removed the auto level and electronic draft control. Next to go was the controls that raise and lower the 3 point when you engage the reverse gear. Plus they had to add a drawbar, taller ROPS, reverse the throttle, add wider wheels and attach about a million warning labels for US consumers. Front differential lock has to be removed also. So yes it is not a repainted AF but other than these changes it is the same.

Buck

Superclyde007 · Jun 22, 2007

EFC, your first post stated that the Ex3200 was a repainted AF326D hence my comment saying that is not the case.
Your next post said the new Cub was a featured down or base model Yanmar etc...Sounded like you were referencing another unit.

Yanmar has part ownership of the new company and the tractors are branded Cub Cadet/Yanmar. That tells me this is more than a vendor type relationship.

Here is a little information copied directly from Yanmar's Global website:

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New Joint Venture Company with MTD of the United States

Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd. has established a joint venture company with MTD of the United States. The new company will commence North American sales of Compact Utility Tractors (CUT) in October this year.

　 CUT’s are small tractors in the sub-50hp range used in such jobs as domestic lawn mowing and light construction work in residential areas. The market has expanded in recent years and has been attracting the increasing attention of both U.S. and foreign manufacturers.

　Yanmar’s base tractor business in North America until now has consisted of OEM supply to John Deere, the world’s largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment. While maintaining this OEM business, Yanmar also plans to develop Yanmar brand products that respond directly to user demands and are perfectly matched to the North American markets for sale through the new company.　Yanmar is a late arrival in this CUT market but brings to the joint venture a wealth of experience in small tractor technology. By utilizing MTD’s extensive sales network for these products, together with the high brand value of both companies, we are aiming to secure a firm market position.

Outline of the New Joint Venture:

Company name: C.U.T. Supply Company LLC
Address: 614 Liverpool Drive, Valley City, Ohio 44280
President: Masashi Shimo (from Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd.)
Date of Establishment: 1st November, 2006
Start of Operations: March 2007 (Full sales activity scheduled to start in October)
Business: Sale of sub-50hp CUT, general marketing etc.
Product Brand: Cub Cadet YANMAR (Co-brand)

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EFC · Jun 22, 2007

When I said it is a Base model Yanmar I was not speaking out of ignorance or estimation. I am regularly in Japan and from time to time at the Yanmar development offices. I have talked to the people involved with this project. I know what they are building.

The C.U.T. company is like your quote said “Sale of sub-50hp CUT, general marketing etc.” the ect part does not mean they build tractors. Cub is bringing their name and established distribution for what it’s worth and C.U.T is litigation control. It is how Japan does business, nothing new here.

Buck

Superclyde007 · Jun 22, 2007

EFC I don't believe there was an implication of ignorance or estimation.
I did not say the new CUT company was building tractors. I said that Yanmar has part ownership of the new company, and a Yanmar management team in place to guide the company.
I am pretty sure that Yanmar did not have nor does it now have management activity controlling the day to day activity of JD since they are only a supplier with no ownership of the JD. I am sure there was interaction with all aspects of operation betwee JD and Yanmar but Yanmar did not have control over what JD did with the tractors or the company.
Yanmar know has that control of their co-branded product and they are going to market as Cub Cadet/ Yanmar not as a vendor. I would be surprised if Yanmar of Japan is not selling the tractors to Cub Cadet/ Yanmar or CUTSCO. That is quite different than the JD relationship and does not mean Yanmar is only a vendor and labeling tractors for someone else.
Lots of manufacturers build product under the parent company flag and then sell it to other business ventures under the coporate umbrella. I am sure MTD does this with their different brands as well.

EFC · Jun 22, 2007

I honestly don’t know why you’re even posting to me about this. You said "As far as the Ex3200 being a repainted AF326D I don't believe that is the case" which it is (minus some features which I already mentioned). You said "this is not Yanmar building components or even complete tractors" which they are. That is what my posts are in response to. I don’t disagree who will control the company and never have. And I really don’t care.

Japan has always kept the best tractor for themselves. For example if you want a featured down TF Iseki go buy a new Challenger tractor. Or a featured down TA Iseki go buy a TYM among half a dozen other brands. As a dealer I make it a point to know what other brands are identical or similar. That way like Wayne mentioned when the supposed OEM stops supporting a particular line (Ford is a stellar example) I have another mode to buy parts. I have fixed quite a few TYM’s with Iseki parts and Fords with Shibaura parts. They were cheaper and quicker. Hopefully we won’t have to support Cub with Yanmar parts

I have read your posts in other forums and know you are passionate about Cub, please don’t think I am putting down Cub I am just explaining where this “new” tractor will come from and what it is built out of and by whom. I already have two of these tractors in Japanese form and I like them. I’m sure the Cub will be super duper.

Buck

P.S. Please call me Buck, EFC is the company and Moto.