Dealer Dealer "options"

[Bill_Ryan]

Dealer \"options\"

I've been looking at the TC35D (seems to be more tractor for the buck compared to JD4400, IMO - please no flame wars).

Been speaking with local dealers and a couple questions have arose.

Some dealers include a block heater as part of their base package. I live in New Hampshire and we have cold winters and I plan on using tractor to plow snow. Is this a must have item?

Another item is that I'll be using PTO attachments. A Woods 9000 backhoe and a 5 or 6 ft rotary cutter (for now). Some recommend a remote control valve be added and some suggest power beyond useage. What's the difference and which is better?

One dealer includes a chain hook attached to bucket as standard in their base tractor w/loader package. I wouldthink this would be helpful in certain situations. Comments?

What other niceties have dealers offered others as part of their package? I doubt that any of them are really "thrown in for free", but if they make my life/work easier, I'd like to get them included upfront.

I'm also interested in hidden items which the dealers can use (include/omit) to affect their quotes, but which should be included.

Many thanks,

Bill

Bill Ryan
EnDeering Acres Farm
Deering, NH

 

[rmacan]

Re: Dealer "options"

Bill,
I'd get the block heater for sure up there. Rear hydraulic ports are not required for a rotary mower unless it is a large bat wing type mower with hydraulically folded sections. The backhoe may or not may not require rear ports. Some units have their own PTO driven hydraulic system. You may want to see about a canopy for the ROPS and other front and rear work lights if you will be working in the snow. The headlights on most any tractors are pretty worthless if you have a front end loader installed, as it blocks them unless you carry it up high which is not safe. You may want to see if they will throw in the 50 hour service for free too. Hooks on the bucket come in handy for attaching thigs to it with a chain, although if you look under tractor modifications, one guy came up with a way to attach chains to a NH loader using hitch pins up on the loader end links.
Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

All that you mentioned are good things to add on. The other thing is to make a list of everything that you want to do with the tractor now and in the future. Then set the tractor up that way. It's usually much cheaper to do it that way than to wait until later and add it on. For example when I bought my tractor I also got the dealer to throw in the implements at cost since I was buying the tractor. He couldn't help me anymore on the price of the tractor but the cost saved on the implements made the deal well worth it. I wanted a bachhoe and at that time he was going to give it to me for $5900. Now the best price I can do is $6400. Also most sdd-on stuff is much cheaper from the factory rather than adding on later.

 

[jinman]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

Here's the bucket hooks on pins:

For my $$$, if there is a rental place close and I don't have to make a living with it, I'd steer away from buying a $6k backhoe. You can rent "real" backhoes a lot of times for that much money.
Just my 2 cents worth.

JimI

 

[Bill_Ryan]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

Keep those posts coming......

Thanks to all who have posted so far.
Very helpful - thanks.

Wrt to buying vs. renting the backhoe...I thought long and hard on this one as well as the tractor purchase. I can rent or hire out the tractor work as well. Problem is, when I do so, I either have to have all the tasks lined up at one time or go back and forth to the rental place each time a task comes up.

I have LOTS of backhoe work to be done and most likely some I even haven't though of yet. I plan on keeping track of hours spent on each task just so I can say one day "the backhoe just paid for itself" or "the tractor just paid for itself" etc...

Not to mention the fact that I get to play while doing it

Bill

Bill Ryan
EnDeering Acres Farm
Deering, NH

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

Jim,
What does it cost to rent a backhoe where you are? Around here it's about $250 a day or to hire it done is $50-75 an hour.

 

[Hawgee]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

CBDoc is right about the attachments. I'm on the west coast just below the big snow and more wet. Heaters are not a common asked for item. After the basic tractor is picked (gear or delux with extra's) What is going to hang on the rear is the secondary pick. Much more room for the dealer to fudge on the markup at package purchase time than on the tractor. Hats or manuals and toys for the kids come last. I've heard of discounts on first service as a inticement.
If we were in Siberia, I would expect cabs and heaters already installed or I wouldn't even stop at the dealer. Your hot midwest boys would like to see cabs and air. Filtered to boot.
The TC35 is a great machine and having a man working with you (dealer) and not just looking at your wallet is as important as any other part of the good equation.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

 

[jinman]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

That's about right on the price for daily rental. The delivery is extra and varies, but in my area it is around $75. Hiring a backhoe is about $50-$60 per hr, but there is always a 4 hr minimum. I really like renting the backhoe by the week, because that is actually 40 hrs on the meter and I can do that in 3 or 4 actual days of work. It also normally takes me about 2 to 4 hours to get used to the machine and get really efficient with it. By renting for a week (about $750) it will pay for the delivery and you will really gain some good "stick time" if it doesn't rain./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Also, you have to be able to get 4 or 5 days off in a row, so that surely takes some planning. Probably not too easy for a doctor, huh?

JimI

 

[jinman]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

Okay, this is the last time I will "bug" you about this because I know you have put a lot of thought into your purchase. My question is, have you ever rented/operated a full-sized backhoe like a Ford/Newholland 555 or a Case 680? I have rented both and used them extensively. I think it's worth the money to rent one of these machines and see what it can do. After that, try the hoe on the back of the smaller tractor and see what you think. That's just my suggestion because the $300 or so you spend on the rental will probably be put to good use and you will know the difference what to expect from your TC35. Beyond that, you know your own situation. I know you will be happy with whichever way you choose.

JimI

 

[Hawgee]

Re: Dealer \"options\"

jinman
I won't speak for Bill, but you did not bug me. Look how many tools of another sort are always turning over at the pawn shop if you get by those institutions. Also see your local heavy equipment auctioner. Reality check.
Compacts are not a primary row crop item and the trade off to want to power everything within hands reach can get to any of us. I too have always thanked this TBN for having me and letting me have mental updates before acting on a whim. If we don't take the time to sit and sip a ice tea and let our eyes enjoy some of what we were able to do, then I say get the biggest, baddest yellow hunk of iron and go for it. Let me know if you plan on doing this next door thou, I may want to go fishing for awhile. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Nothing wrong with an informed buyer.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)