Ever hear of Allmand tractors?

[IMCA38]

I went to Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island NE today.
Came across a Vermeer dealer that had Allmand tractors. I thought that name sounded vaguely familiar but didn't know much about them. Turns out they have a tractor labeled 8435 and 8435HST. Both are powered by a 36hp Mitsubishi 4 cylinder engine. Rough quote for the HST was about $18k.
They also had some small TLB units that looked similar to the Terra-Mite. Now here's the kicker- I picked up a spec sheet and find out that Allmand is located nearby in the small town of Holdrege, NE. I grew up about 70 miles from there and had no clue about this outfit. A look at their website- www.allmand.com shows that their primary products are portable light towers and the large arrow/sign boards used in highway construction. From reading the website, Allmand has acquired several companies that make various products over the years, and I suspect that very few of the products are actually manufactured in Holdrege. I'm thinking that the tractors are manufactured by someone else and badged in Allmand's name and color (which is kind of a pale orange). Anyone one else know anything about these tractors?

 

[shvl73]

Looks like a rebadged TYM machine like my Mahindra.

 

[dummy]

<font color="blue"> They also had some small TLB units that looked similar to the Terra-Mite. </font> From a distance, yes. Take a closer look and you'll see their is a large difference. I bought a TLB-35D (now tlb-535) to access smaller sites and the only complaint I have is ground speed could be better. Parts and technical support from the company has been outstanding so far. Give them a call and ask who makes the utility tractors.

 

[SteveM]

For several years, maybe more, Allmand has been supplying tool rental shops with small gas powered TLBs - they seem to have quite a lock on this niche market. My local rental yard has two, 25hp kohler gas, 2wd, hydrostatic, little bucket and hoe. I see them with low hours, couple years old for low teens...frankly seems high compared to a used kubota BX22 which is 4wd and diesel...

 

[ByronBob]

Ditto what Steve said. My local rental place has a TLB unit he uses. I will rent it soon to do some BH work. My neighbor next door used it and said it was ok.

I don't know what the use of this would be for anyone but dollar for dollar I'd go diesel and one of the big 3 for my money. Support just isn't there for me to buy one and the price difference (if there is one) doesn't justify another look.

 

[bandit67]

Those units have been big in the rental industry. HSS Rent-X has 2 units in their catalog, but none of the local stores have any working units available. NationsRent used to use them, but got rid of them because of reliability issues, and now have no "mid size" TLB units. I've seen one at the local Rent-X sitting in their lot all torn apart for repairs since I started stopping by last spring. None of the rental shops I've talked to around here seem to be too impressed with them.

I'm renting a JD110 this weekend - they seem very happy with that one so far, but it is quite a bit more expensive (to buy) than the Allmands.

If I were looking for a mid-size TLB, I'd stick with one of the bigger names, that has more parts availability. Keep in mind that if you get one and need parts, you'll be competing with rental yards across the country that also need the parts. Let me know if you want me to ask the Rent-X guys about that particular Allmand unit, how long it's been down, why, and what their thoughts are on those machines.

 

[dummy]

<font color="blue"> Isuzu, 33.3 hp, liquid-cooled diesel
Single Lever Power Hydraulic with Float
Bucket Capacity: 1/2 cu. yd. (.38 cu. m)
Breakout Force: 3400 pounds (1530 kg)
Lift Capacity: 2100 pounds (765 kg)

BACKHOE: ESL™ design
Digging Force:
6000 pounds (2700 kg) @ Bucket
2511pounds (1130 kg) @ Dipper
Digging Depth:
9' 11" (3.0 m)
(9' 7" [2.92 m] 2' flat bottom)
</font>

This is not comparable with a BX- anything. They are more in the Terramite, Kubota B21, etc. market. They are component built to be a TLB, not a CUT. Yes, some of them are gas powered, but some, are diesel and they are hydrostatic drive. They can be outfitted with "bobcat style" quick attach, front and rear hyd. remotes, etc.
As far as support goes, when I broke a tie-rod end Allmand had them in-stock and on the way the same day I ordered them. They also gave me the TRW part number, in case I want to source them locally. How much more parts availability can you get?
Maybe I should have gotten the model 425 that comes with a <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> diesel, then you guys might have liked it. If this post sounds defensive, well it is. When you buy, rent or at least look at one, then post some opinions on it.

 

[bandit67]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As far as support goes, when I broke a tie-rod end Allmand had them in-stock and on the way the same day I ordered them. They also gave me the TRW part number, in case I want to source them locally. How much more parts availability can you get?
Maybe I should have gotten the model 425 that comes with a <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> diesel, then you guys might have liked it. If this post sounds defensive, well it is. When you buy, rent or at least look at one, then post some opinions on it. )</font>

Like I stated, I tried to rent one, but the only one around is half torn apart in the rental yard. I was just trying to shed some light on what I've found out recently about the Allmands. Maybe parts availability is good now for buyers because all the rental companies have stopped buying and/or repairing, and gotten rid of them all. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just kidding, so don't get upset. Parts availability could be a regional issue.

However, reliability seemed to be an underlying complaint with the few rental yards I spoke with. That's not to say the average owner won't get better reliability - I imagine any rental machine takes one heck of a beating over the course of a year, cause as they say "#%^*& it, it's a rental".

 

[Durbob]

I'm gonna take a wild guess here and say they are Tafe tractors that have been painted a different color and different name. I believe that is the same Mitsubishi engine that they use on the Tafe. Farm trac is also a tafe tractor and uses that same engine. But, there is an ever so slight possability that i could be wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Also, the Tafe version would be cheaper than $18,000.00 i believe.

 

[dummy]

<font color="blue"> Parts availability could be a regional issue.
</font> and from Byron Bob's post <font color="blue"> "Support just isn't there for me to buy one and the price difference (if there is one) doesn't justify another look." </font>
These are the type of statements I don't understand. I can buy almost every part locally through auto parts stores or hydraulic shops. The only filter I can't get with a WIX compatible number is the air breather element. The others I've been able to get anywhere they sell filters. So, what makes it a regional or support issue ?