Do you expect Dealer training on new CUT?

[randy41]

the dealer didn't show me anything about my tractor except the invoice...but i didn't ask even though i didn't have any experience at the time.
but the owners manual and all the manuals that come with the attachments explain things pretty good. the most difficult thing for me was hooking up attachments when I first got my tractor but it's not rocket science and you'll pick up on it very quickly.
Now if only the dealer would warn people about how much parts cost....

 

[hsvhobbit]

When we were buying our tractor, one of the key questions I asked our salesman was, how open are they to giving advice, instruction, help when/if we have questions on 'how to do stuff'. He told us they'd be happy to give us any advice/help we needed, any time.

When the guy delivered our tractor, it had the bushhog already hooked up. After he went through the whole process of starting/running the tractor, maintaining it, ect. we asked him to show us how to hook/unhook the 'hog. We explained we'd never done that stuff before and didn't have a clue. He was a little taken aback but quite cheerfully went through the whole process.

Explain to your dealer what your experience level is, and ask for them to show you anything you're unclear on. A good dealer WANTS you to understand things. If you have one that brushes you off or makes you feel dumb, I'd pass on that dealer. Everybody has to learn somewhere.

You may find this odd, but the manual for the Rhino bushhog we bought actually has MORE general info on safely operating a tractor than the Kubota owners manual. Best general info I've seen. Go figure.

 

[kossetx]

When I bought my first new tractor I didn't feel I needed much explanation about it because I had used a tractor for many years. When he delivered the tractor, my salesman went over just about everything anyway. He had a checklist about what he had shown me from NH and I had to sign it.

 

[roxynoodle]

If the attachments are a problem, do what I did and build them dollies out of 2x6s and swivel caster wheels. I can now hook up my rotary cutter and box blade (or unhook them) in less than 2 minutes.

 

[jbrumberg]

Champy:

I noticed that no one really welcomed you to TBN ; so welcome to TBN !. A good dealership is just as important as a good tractor as most tractors of similar size and "specs" have similar prices. Dealership "feel" is just as important as tractor "feel". When I purchased my first tractor I gave the dealership a description of my property and anticipated use. The owner recommended a tractor and attachments. Upon purchase I was walked through tractor operation and attachment use and I test drove the tractor. As my needs changed this dealership saved me a lot of time, aggravation, and money with their recommendations. I heard more than once "you don't need that" . When it was time to upgrade they gave me a pretty good trade in and threw a few addional items to "sweeten" the deal. They continue to provide me their opinions and suggestions as requested. I check in with them periodically and it is like family. My suggestion to you is find a dealer with whom you are comfortable, find a tractor that "feels" right, share your current needs/anticipated use, a good property description and ask a lot of questions. Beware that the membership of TBN is more than willing to help you spend your hard earned money as well as provide you with the necessary "justifications" to convince the "COMPTROLLER" of the need for any particular purchase . Jay
P.S. READ THE MANUALS! There are a lot of HP junkies out here in TBN land .

 

[BobRip]

When I sold my gray market Kubotoa to a friend, I spent two hours going over the operation and maintenace. The manual was in Japanese so it was not a lot of help. I would expect the dealer to do that if requested.

 

[DmansPadge]

Bob Skurka hit the nail on the head. Any decent dealer shouldn't mind showing you the ropes... including hooking up the attachments, running them, etc. Telling your salesman that you need that training will be your best bet. I would guess that most of the delivery guys that don't give you a proper run down of the machine have other jobs lined up for the day and don't have the time to sit down with you and cover everything. If you tell them up front... they can plan to have plenty of time with you.

 

[john_bud]

In the next 30 days (my wife says), I will be buying my first tractor. How much hands-on operating/training should I expect to get from the Dealer? Or is the process more of a - read the manual & DIY? I am hoping to get a baseline from the Board's actual experience so I don't have extreme expectations of my dealer when I take delivery (but I am willing to confess ignorance and ask for instructions).

Thanks

Champy,

Welcome to TBN.

First off, the person delivering the machine may just be a well, delivery person. You may want to be proactive and go to the dealership and have them show you everything there. Doing it at the dealership will maybe be easier than at your place (for them). They may also have implements that you didn't order, but may in the future and you can hook them up too.


When I got my Kubota, I took it home from the dealer but had gotten a manual when I bought it and had read it cover to cover several times. (Jeez, I am like a kid at Christmas!). I only had 1 problem and that was figuring out the new fangled PTO release collar vs the old style button. Silly stuff. Using it well, will take time, patience and practice.

Good luck and have fun!
jb

 

[Champy]

Thanks everyone for your input......

FYI - I am looking at buying a JD990 MFWD; 300CX FEL; MX5 Rotary Cutter. Still debating the R1 vs R4 issue. Looking to build a tree farm on 35 acres; gently rolling with creek;pasture;cropland;woods.

 

[B8FISH]

Champy--I would also suggest reading manuals ahead of delivery--JD has most of them on-line. You can then ask for clarification of things that don't make sense to you, and you may also learn of some "options" that you may want to order with initial purchase. When you have selected a specific model, and are ready to order--do a search here for that model, and read what issues and questions other owners have had--may save you some headaches, and again point to some things that should be included in initial purchase (3rd SCV, extra hydraulics, Top n Tilt, brush guards, iMatch, work lights....you get the idea ;-)