FarmTrac Troubles

[TimC]

It's interesting reading this...

I just went by my local Farm-trac dealer and they had all of their Farm-trac inventory "hidden" way out back in a field. Not one still on their lot. It made me wonder what is going on.

Went back and read my post...
By "hidden" I did not mean to imply that the dealer was hiding anything from the customer. I just meant that all of the Farm-tracs had been strangely moved and that made me wonder what was going on. I have done business with said dealership and they have always been on the up and up.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

I notice today that Farmtrac's web site does'nt work anymore.

Doesn't work for me either now. I was just looking at it yesterday or the day before.

 

[dgl24087]

My local Farmtrac dealer has all of his inventory (10 tractors) parked at the front of his lot. I have noticed that he moved very little new inventory in the past year, probably not more than 2 or 3 tractors. He frequents auctions and sells a lot of used tractors on consignment, and has moved a lot of used tractors. He did this for several years before becoming a Farmtrac dealer about 3-4 years ago.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If I recall, the 775 is a Same/Deutz tractor and they have said they will honor the warranty on their tractors regardless of what color it is. Same/Deutz is stepping up to help out in this situation. I think all of the 7 series are Same/Deutz tractors.

I was informed today that Samee/Deutz may or may not honor the warranty on the 7 series. There is some indecision now but hopefully they will decide one way or the other.

 

[NewToy]

What is the status of FarmTrac now? Is there anyone there even answering the phones? Is everything shut down, parts distribution and all? Nobody sounds very optimistic about this deal. I have been lucky with the reliability of my little tractor, 323 hours and only 1 warranty issue with a defective seat that they promptly replaced. Maybe my unit will appreciate in value due to it's collectible status now that they have become rare.

John

 

[Farmwithjunk]

No dog in this fight, other than a strange curiousity. (Sorta like looking at a car wreck as I drive by)

I noticed this most recent listing on EBAY isn't quite as descriptive as our members add regarding what's going on at FarmTrac. Whoever wrote the add should consider a life in politics. If you didn't know the facts as they are available to this point, you might think things don't have the potential to be a real problem later on.

I spent most of yesterday at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky. FarmTrac USUALLY has a noticable presence there. Not this year. Nothing. In this immediate area, FarmTrac is actually one of the more respected "minor players" outside of the normal cast of "BIG BOY" characters in the FARM tractor world. (Deere/CNH/AGCO) Credit goes to a couple VERY strong FarmTrac dealers and a history of Ford tractors being quite popular in the area.

I talked with a couple reps from "competing brands" who know nothing more than the rumors the rest of us are hearing, but one said a little birdy told him that the brand name is history. He explained it as the tax advantages of simply letting it collapse are better than taking pennies on the dollar to save what's left. Take that with a grain of salt. At times like this, everyone is a lawyer and a tax expert. I did agree with what seems to be everyone's opinion though. The longer the "unknown" continues, the more damage to failing consumer confidence will erode their once good name.

Nearest dealer to me has 15 various FarmTracs on his lot and is currently "business as usual".

 

[Bob_Young]

The old blue Fords were quite popular in the orchards north of here and the local Farmtrac dealer was making inroads. I was happy to see that as I respect the old 3 cyl. Fords and would have liked a new one in the form of an Escorts Farmtrac. But, over the last couple years, his lot went from a sea of blue to just an odd LG Farmtrac here and there. Guess dealing with FT wasn't all roses.

Even if they somehow rescue this, buying an Escorts Farmtrac/Ford after this debacle would seem a lot like "...peeing on the electric fence for myself". Now looking warily toward the Indian made JD5103; hope it doesn't go the same way.
Bob

 

[WWR]

Doesn't work for me either now. I was just looking at it yesterday or the day before.

Does not work from here. Looks as though it has been taken down.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

Kind of makes you wonder if Farmtrac/Escorts could go belly up what could happen with other 2nd tier companies like Montana, Kioti, Mahindra and TYM. Although I think Mahindra will be ok in the long run possibly becoming the largest tractor company in the world someday in the not so distant future. From what I have read here Farmtrac put out some very good tractors and so does Kioti, Montana, Mahindra. I'm sure the customers who bought a Farmtrac didn't think the company would shut the doors anytime soon. Makes you think hard about buying a tractor from another 2nd tier tractor builder. Especially with the economy possibly heading south for a while.

 

[dgl24087]

Does not work from here. Looks as though it has been taken down.

I don't understand, it works fine for me. Welcome to Farmtrac

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

I don't understand, it works fine for me. Welcome to Farmtrac

Still doesn't work for me. Have you cleared your browser lately?

 

[California]

Not me.

farmtrac.com/index.html returns 'page not found'.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Kind of makes you wonder if Farmtrac/Escorts could go belly up what could happen with other 2nd tier companies like Montana, Kioti, Mahindra and TYM. Although I think Mahindra will be ok in the long run possibly becoming the largest tractor company in the world someday in the not so distant future. From what I have read here Farmtrac put out some very good tractors and so does Kioti, Montana, Mahindra. I'm sure the customers who bought a Farmtrac didn't think the company would shut the doors anytime soon. Makes you think hard about buying a tractor from another 2nd tier tractor builder. Especially with the economy possibly heading south for a while.

I do not understand why you or anyone could or would refer to Kioti or Mahindra as second tier tractor builders. These companies build their own qualilty tractors and have a good reputation. The problem with Farmtrac isn't because of the product. It was because of mis-management from the top. You see this in any industry, if the guy running the company screws up everyone suffers.

Even with Farmtracs current state I would not be scared of buying one, in fact I am talking to one of the dealers on here about buying one. If things work out I will be the proud owner of a Farmtrac 7 series in the future (if a real good deal comes along I might get a 2wd 5 series also to replace my Ford 640). Look at it like buying a great used tractor if you can buy it at a discount. If you buy a used tractor you don't normally get a warranty and with these Farmtrac tractors you know you are getting a great tractor at a great price. Just do your homework so you know where to get parts from and you are fine.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The problem with Farmtrac isn't because of the product. It was because of mis-management from the top. You see this in any industry, if the guy running the company screws up everyone suffers.

A perfect example was International Harvester. Without a doubt, they built some of the best equipment available in their day, yet mis-management combined with "hard times" in the industry put them at deaths doorstep. This isn't about the product, it's all about the producers.

 

[ChesapeakeMarine]

I do not understand why you or anyone could or would refer to Kioti or Mahindra as second tier tractor builders. These companies build their own qualilty tractors and have a good reputation. The problem with Farmtrac isn't because of the product. It was because of mis-management from the top. You see this in any industry, if the guy running the company screws up everyone suffers.

Even with Farmtracs current state I would not be scared of buying one, in fact I am talking to one of the dealers on here about buying one. If things work out I will be the proud owner of a Farmtrac 7 series in the future (if a real good deal comes along I might get a 2wd 5 series also to replace my Ford 640). Look at it like buying a great used tractor if you can buy it at a discount. If you buy a used tractor you don't normally get a warranty and with these Farmtrac tractors you know you are getting a great tractor at a great price. Just do your homework so you know where to get parts from and you are fine.

Robert, I hope you get both FarmTracs. They look like very well built machines. Enjoy them. You make a great point that buying a Farmtrac now is similar to buying a used tractor, you seldom get a warranty with a used one.

Regarding 2nd/3rd tier companies, Yes I do think that if the tractor is not a Kubota, JD or NH it's something less than 1st tier. That's just my perception/opinion, worth about as much as yours is, and it won't change in the near future. Mahindra, however, may become the fourth member of that 1st tier someday.

I hope you strike a good deal on the Farmtrac's. Can't wait to see your pictures of them.

 

[WWR]

I don't understand, it works fine for me. Welcome to Farmtrac

I'm at a loss. It says website declines to show this webpage( clicked on your link)???

 

[dgl24087]

It won't let me access now either.

 

[BTI]

Directory Listing Denied

This Virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed.


This is what it says when I try.....
BTI

 

[jim_n_nh]

As a recent Kioti owner I must remind you that NH doesn't build any of their own tractors. While they are all blue in color they come from various parts of the world.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

As a recent Kioti owner I must remind you that NH doesn't build any of their own tractors. While they are all blue in color they come from various parts of the world.

When you say NH are you referring to New Holland? If so New Holland is one of the largest equipment manufacturers in the world producing their own tractors and equipment. They do contract Shiabaru (or however you spell it) to build their compacts to New Hollands specs. Is this what you were referring to?