Tiller First Choice Tiller.

[GeneD14]

I was considering buying a First Choice 60" Tiller. They look like they are made good. Made in Italy. I can get it for $1,200. Any pros or cons to this brand? Please advise. Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[HayDR]

Please check www.firstchoiceequipment.com Their website was updated this week and 2/3's of their tiller models are gone. Only the light duty RT04 series remain. All their dirt-working implements seem to not be available anymore as well. Ask their stocking dealers what's going on. Sweet Tractors or Carver Equipment

 

[sweettractors]

Hello--Glad to hear you are considering First Choice--We are currently stocking over $150,000 in The First Choice line of equipment and no problem with supply--Just got a load in this week--We agree that the Italians are very good with quality manufacturing practices--Watch out for machines made in Turkey--You will get a good price--However--You will never get replacement parts !!--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *Since 1977*

 

[HayDR]

At this moment Pieter and John are in Turkey with Fimak's looking at their tillers and working on MFG rotary cutters & dirt working implements in Konya,Turkey. I guess that will change your tune. F-18 parts are made in Turkey and they seem to work ok.
Why were the RT10, RT14, & RT16 tiller models removed from website?

 

[sweettractors]

Hi Mark--I am sure that some of the Turkey facilities mfg machines that will be OK and I am also sure Peiter and John have enough experience between them to find a good vendor for a set of elementery dirt working tools----however--You missed the point-- One of my main concerns is the parts backup for any machine sold at retail--This is a major Key to successful marketing and my experience with First Choice is "Top Notch" when it comes to stocking and responding quickly to dealers parts needs--I have had some repair parts ordered from a Turkey distributor since last November and still have not got them nor do I have a anticipated time for delivery?--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977*

 

[HayDR]

GeneD14,
Make sure and ask if the tiller you are looking at is one of the tillers that First choice is having rust problems with. This thread catalogs the problem.

First Choice Rust Problems

You might want to check out the CCM Gear Drive tillers.

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Mark,

What happened between First Choice and Midwest? One moment they were going like gang busters... then it's all quiet...? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[sweettractors]

Now Mark, You know that the shipping problem was with only one size tiller and was addressed and solved months ago by FC--I dont think TBN viewers want to see a close up Super 65 mower picture?? --Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977*

 

[Inspector507]

First Choice and Midwest parted ways some time ago. What happened.......?? Whatever usually happens between suppliers and distibutors, I'd say. "Same" product made by someone else for a little less money.
This is just my opinion, of course.

 

[HayDR]

Ken,
You seem to be evading the question about the RT10 tillers. Since the RT10 tillers are no longer showing up on the First Choice website have they been discontinued, (except for stock on dealers lots)? The RT10's were on the website and now they are gone. The RT10 was one of the most popular series of tillers FC sold. If this series is discontinued, then CUT owners will not have availability of a FC tiller over 60" wide.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> First Choice and Midwest... "What happened.......?? Whatever usually happens between suppliers and distibutors, I'd say. "Same" product made by someone else for a little less money." </font>

Jerry,

I'd bet on the other side from you on this one. I'd go with "Supplier sees large potential market tapped by distributor and decides to distribute for themselves and eliminate the distributor from the chain." That's just my opinion, of course. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I saw the handwriting on the wall when MW started touting their own website here after FC had joined TBN and created all of the interest here. I have no idea what, if any, agreement was made between the two early on but it seems there was a disagreement about it and they parted ways.

Personally, I was sorry to see it happen as I liked both Pieter Van den Berg of First Choice and Jim McCuan of Midwest and still do. Each were fine individuals in my dealings with them and it was based on that fact that I bought my first implement from them totally sight unseen. I'm sorry they parted ways but maybe it'll be the best for each of them in the long run. I sincerely hope so. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Gary,
That could be, but I've had a few frank discussions with Jim, both e-mail and in person. If he was seeing the dollar signs in retailing MW, I think he would have said something to that effect. All I know is, he wasn't real happy that First Choice and Midwest parted ways.
Now he has a contract with Kioti, hope that goes well for him.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> (Jim at Midwest) wasn't real happy that First Choice and Midwest parted ways </font>

Jerry,

I got exactly the same thing from Pieter at First Choice. Pieter wasn't real happy that First Choice and Midwest parted ways, either. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Well, I'm happy they're each doing well now, regardless of how they came to part ways before. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JohnMiller3]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( …discussions with Jim,… All I know is, he wasn't real happy that First Choice and Midwest parted ways…

…the same thing from Pieter at First Choice. Pieter wasn't real happy that First Choice and Midwest parted ways, either… )</font>

Well… if this is indeed the case… maybe someone should step forward… put their pride aside… kiss and makeup… and get on with doing business/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I for one, would be all for products Made in the Great U.S.A…. if given the choice with equal quality and price… /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GeneD14]

Thanks for all of the input. I had no idea what an emotional issue this was. I about have the CFO talked into it. That is my major hurdle. Thanks again

 

[theboman]

Peoples, play nice. Business try to make money but no fighting with each other on TBN.
I have a First Choice 48" tiller, and yeah it has that rust problem, however as soon as it was brought to their attention they did send a replacement decal and a can of paint. I cried foul, but they did that much and really didn't have to do anything at all.
As far as the tiller itself, well it's done everything it's supposed to do and did the job much better than I'd ever imagined. I'm impressed and if ever bought a bigger tractor and a bigger tiller, First Choice would be my, ah first choice, and not knocking any other dealers on the TBN, but going from my past experience I'd have to go with Sweet Tractors.
Ken has answered every question fast. Delivered the goods cheap and quicky.

 

[HayDR]

According to the current First Choice website the largest tiller they will offer is a RT04-60 (Sicma ZLL) 60" chain drive tiller with a 35 HP gearbox. Sicma ZLL tiller There may be some larger tillers in current dealer stock but what about the future? Their dealers and FC have not answered yet as to the availability of the larger tillers. If this is the case then larger CUT owners will have NO CHOICE in the First Choice tiller line.

 

[sweettractors]

Hi Mark, Just talked to John at FC yesterday and all tillers in stock and no Turkey parts in them--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977*

 

[HayDR]

Ken,
You mean all the RT04's are in stock for next year. Why are the RT10's no longer there on the website? No "Under Construction" message there so it looks as if the RT10's have been discontinued in the First Choice line. I see FC still has the Midwest MFG Landscape items on the site that FC no longer sells, FC must want to keep some quality around to keep up their public image. Just answer the question, will there be 2004 Sicma MFG RT10tillers for sale next year with the FC marketing label on them?

 

[sweettractors]

Hi Mark, As I said earlier! <font color="blue">Just talked to John at FC yesterday and all tillers in stock and no Turkey parts in
them </font>--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co. *Since 1977*