first choice

   / first choice #41  
<font color=blue> Why the change toward a more negative preception of the "First Choice" company and products within the last few weeks? </font color=blue>I think that all of the people who own First Choice products are impressed with the quality and price, so I don't think there has been any change on that front. There has been some frustration on the part of people who would like to go see these products before they buy. <font color=blue> Is there something in the air that TBN enthusiasts should know about </font color=blue>I guess I don't know. You've posted several skeptical messages in the last couple of weeks, is there something specific you had in mind? I don't know if Jim is going to enter the retail/distributor market. I've read everything he's posted, and it's great to have the person who designed my aerator telling us about some of the considerations that go into equipment manufacture.My aerator is built like a rock, was way less expensive and heavier duty than competing units and I'm delighted with it in every way. I'd say if you are in the market for something First Choice distributes or Midwest manufactures, just buy it. I haven't read a complaint from an owner yet. If they'll just make a 54" box blade I'll buy it too.
 
   / first choice #42  
Well, I guess I am concerned about buying a product and not having support after the sale. I have seen dozens of farm equip. companies come and go over the last 40 years. All made very good products at a fair price, but when you go to a dealer and ask for a replacement parts for a Ford, David Brown, IH, Case, IMCO or UFT or Brinley Hardey etc, they just look at you like you are crazy and then tell you these companys are out of business or merged or something to that effect. I have no problem with the quality of the "First Choice/ Midwest" equipment. Price is the other thing. I have been told by a dealer here in Tn, that he could buy most of the products from Midwest and resale them for about 10-15 percent less than the "First Choice" brand, because Midwest actually is the mfgr and does not have the extra markup. With the economy looking the way it does? I can only try my best to stretch my hobby (expendable) dollars as far as I can. I just dont know which company is going to be here for the long haul and also whether I should pay 10-15 percent more for the same product with just a different name? I guess, I will just wait until spring and see what develops.
 
   / first choice #43  
I guess I'm one who's had both experiences. I have a First Choice box blade I think is wonderful and a great buy for the money. I'm also awaiting them to get a 6' rotary cutter into production at a weight my JD 4200 can lift and use. I'm also waiting to see what develops with them regarding a hydraulic top link and a quick hitch for three point attachments.

I know I can go elsewhere and buy the same type of equipment but I've been impressed enough with Jim and Pieter and with the box blade I've gotten from them I'll wait to see what they come up with. I know the box blade was worth a little extra effort on my part and believe the rotary cutter, quick hitch and hydraulic top link will be, too.

As I've said before, I know from experience that growing a business is not an easy thing. Maybe having gone through it myself makes me a little more understanding, but, quite frankly, if the quality and value weren't there, I wouldn't be waiting. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / first choice #44  
I just bought a First Choice 48" Aerator for my Kubota BX series tractor and couldn't be more pleased. It's well-made, the tines rotate smoothly and it performs flawlessly. I expect to get years of use out of it. AAA+++

-Duane Collie
 
   / first choice #45  
Did you purchase your tiller in your area or on the internet? I have seen prices of $1050 for a 48 with clutch online at sweettractors, Is that in line?
 
   / first choice
  • Thread Starter
#46  
first choice & Fort

Their disc mower is basically a FORT mower. I have a neighbor that has one. Every time he trips the safety release it destroys his PTO. My other neighbor has had a LELY for 8 years and has not spent a cent on his LELY. Is this a design flaw on the FORT mower or just maybe a poor operator?
 
   / first choice #47  
Re: first choice & Fort

My dealer friend in Tn said that most shortline mfgrs, including Lely, have some problems in production. He says most all the First Choice or Fort equipment does have mfgrs shortfalls and that over the last few years, the First Choice company has depended entirely on thier dealers to correct any inherent problems the machines have before retailing the units. He says there are only about 2 or 3 First Choice/Fort dealers in the US market that can recognize and correct these problems before units are sold. Your friend obviously did not buy his unit from one of these exceptional servicing dealers.
 
   / first choice #48  
I'm not too worried about getting service or parts on my First Choice aerator or tiller. The tiller is made by Simca, and is sold by Kioti, so that gives me a couple of sources for spare parts. The spoons on the aerator look pretty standard to me so I don't think it would be too hard to replace them even if both Midwest and First Choice quit selling aerators. It's hard to imagine needing factory service on a boxblade. Though it would be funny if you managed to tear it up and then had to try and argue that it was due to a manufacturing defect.At least in Georgia, it is easy to get old tractors and implements fixed up. My first tractor was a Farmall Cub. I have no idea how long that company has been out of business, but every time I messed something up (like blowing up a radiator), it only took a couple of days or a week to get someone to fix it. I sold the tractor when it turned 50. Now that I'm about to turn 50, I realize that it probably had a few more good years in it.
 
   / first choice #50  
Machinedoc,

I paid $ 875.00 for my 48" First Choice (Midwest) core aerator, from Byrd Tractor of Manassas, VA. They list it for $ 977.00 and perhaps they gave me an automatic discount as I purchased my Kubota from them, or because it had a one-time prior use as a demo.
 
 

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