Dougster said:Can't say that I remember the specific model numbers with the Chinese parts, but the markings were obvious to anyone looking for them and I do remember the New Hampshire dealer explaining that they were relatively new machines aimed at being more price competitive if that helps. Had quite a discussion with the salesman who seemed not to want to admit that "Big Green" had sold out. I confess... all I could think of at the time was "Jimna" and why should I pay more for a lime green Jimna? I know that's unfair... and as I said before, the Deere 110 is *still* my favorite TLB of all time... but I was extremely disappointed to see that even "Big Green" had sold out for the sake of a few dollars more profit.
The only good news is that it opened my "Buy American" eyes and made me consider the alternatives. I found my Mahindra and the rest is history.
Dougster
Hmmmm....see...that's the problem. People make statements that get extrapolated, fabricated, and then applied to all pieces of equipment from a certain manufacturer. I looked all over my Deere equipment and couldn't find anything marked "Made in China."
But, then again when I purchased the equipment I made sure none of it WAS made in China. I guess you just have to shop a little more carefully from any manufacturer to get the equipment you want?
As far as I can tell, on CUTs the ONLY piece made in China is the main castings on the 300x loader. That hardly qualifies as, "selling out," or as making a JD a "lime green Jimna."
My 300cx loader is marked, "Made in Welland Ontario, Canada." I guess Deere must have "sold out" to the Canadians? Or, is that okay....?