First Post, First day owning a tractor, and I already need HELP! Kinda Long!

[Jchonline]

Maybe I just look at things a bit differently. Don’t get me wrong I do love a good challenge and I dont mind getting dirty. However I always want to be as informed as possible. To me buying a used machine with no real tractor mechanical experience (and support network) is an unpredictable investment.

Now after owning one for a few years and getting some experience I would have no problem considering used.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I'm glad you got your refund. Good call on your part. That is a flood victim tractor plain and simple. As to your dealer, he gets bonus points for giving you a refund without a big hassle over it. So that's a big plus in my book. Would leave me with the opinion that this is a standup guy that I would want to do business with again.

Right up until we get to the point of he was being very vague about the history of that tractor.

Then telling you there wasn't really a problem with the milky oil in the engine and trans, and that it was fine.

And him still listing it for sale in it's current condition.

Those 3 things right there, are deal killers. In my book, that dealer would now be "dead" to me. I wouldn't buy a $100 bill from him for 5 bucks now. Nor would I darken his doorstep with my shadow in the future.

Good luck on your tractor search.

 

[oosik]

I've been out here in the "boondocks" now for 38 years. My first tractor was a brand new Ford 1700. My second - a brand new 2009 Kubota M6040. I'm not a mechanic - never will be. I want to start out with a unit that I know is 100%. For 38 years I've dealt with the same dealer. He has always treated me fairly - he has alway got all my business.

I do my own routine maintenance - always have. Beyond that - I rely on the dealer. The very few times I've needed service - he has alway been there. He knows exactly what I expect of him - I know he will be there should I ever need service. That's exactly the way it is - that's exactly the way I like it.

Because of this great relationship - I've spent close to $100K thru this one dealership.

 

[Trillium Farm]

Right up until we get to the point of he was being very vague about the history of that tractor.
Then telling you there wasn't really a problem with the milky oil in the engine and trans, and that it was fine.
And him still listing it for sale in it's current condition.
Those 3 things right there, are deal killers. In my book, that dealer would now be "dead" to me. I wouldn't buy a $100 bill from him for 5 bucks now. Nor would I darken his doorstep with my shadow in the future.

I agree and I think the reason for the full refund is that the dealer was afraid of legal consequences based on misrepresentation of a tractor that was flooded. Now he's waiting for the next person hoping that if it does blow up it will be outside the warranty period.

 

[coobie]

I'm a used kinda guy but with my luck maybe I should consider it. Who has the best 0% financing deals?

I would take the money from this tractor then put it down on a new unit if your $$ allow.Buy once cry once.LOL..

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

I think both Trillium and Coobie are spot on here! I feel bad for the next guy that buys that tractor and it fails a couple hundred hours down the road. That is pretty slimy for that dealer to sell it knowing full well it has had a significant amount of water in it at some point. If he didn't know when he sold it to you, there is no doubt that he does now.
I have recently sold my older John Deere and have opted to buy a new Kioti 7320. There are offers that exist from tractor dealers that require a cash purchase from them to take advantage of, which means to secure any neccessary financing through your own financial institution. While 0% financing sounds like a good deal on the surface, it usually isn't. For example, the Kioti I am buying has a 6k cash discount. If I make use of the 0% financing, I miss out on the 6k discount. If ya do the math, 6k is about how much you would spend on interest if you were to finance the whole price of the tractor at a standard interest rate.
FWIW, I was able to secure the best terms through a local bank. They were willing to get creative and allow me to borrow against my recently paid off 6y/o Tacoma at an interest rate of just under 4.5%. With the sale of my tractor, some cash I had saved up, and my tax return I was able to pay for a little over half the tractor out of pocket. The remaining portion was financed for 3 years and will be an easy burden to bear. In 3 years I will own, free and clear, a 3 y/o single owner tractor that I have first hand knowledge of the maintenance history. This tractor should last me the rest of my days and I'm not quite 40 yet. Buy once, cry once...
With all that said, rScotty shares much wisdom with his words. There is nothing like necessity to motivate us to learn to turn a wrench! If i had a shop built by now like I had hoped I would have I might have been more inclined to look at another good (hopefully) used tractor, but our annual sub zero temps and bitter wind chill coupled with cows that need to be fed and drifts that need to be cleared necessitated the purchase of something that I know will be reliable.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Thank You ALL for your wise words!

Final Question:

My options have been narrowed down to a brand spanking new Branson 3015R for $18K, NUF SAID!! Or a yet to be seen 2009 Bobcat CT235 with less than 200 hours for an asking price of $12.5K maybe with bushhog, might be able to get them down a bit. It is from a co-workers inlaw; garage queen, elderly owner, low hours. Both are very capable machines, not sure I need the extra HP of the CT235, but cold forsee myself needing the extra lift capacity of the Branson. This will be used on my property for tree clearing work, dirt moving, firewood, road maintenance, tilling and food plot work. What says ye? I guess I am leaning towards going used and using the difference to get a grapple. But i'm torn, I think I'll know when I see it.

Thanks again for the education gentlemen!

 

[Trillium Farm]

If both will do the job for you, I'd be guided by who makes the tractor for BobCat and its part-availability will be a BIG factor, you already know who makes it for Branson.

 

[coobie]

Thank You ALL for your wise words!

Final Question:

My options have been narrowed down to a brand spanking new Branson 3015R for $18K, NUF SAID!! Or a yet to be seen 2009 Bobcat CT235 with less than 200 hours for an asking price of $12.5K maybe with bushhog, might be able to get them down a bit. It is from a co-workers inlaw; garage queen, elderly owner, low hours. Both are very capable machines, not sure I need the extra HP of the CT235, but cold forsee myself needing the extra lift capacity of the Branson. This will be used on my property for tree clearing work, dirt moving, firewood, road maintenance, tilling and food plot work. What says ye? I guess I am leaning towards going used and using the difference to get a grapple. But i'm torn, I think I'll know when I see it.

Thanks again for the education gentlemen!

What type of tree clearing work? Remember tractors are not bull dozers.For the Extra $$ I would buy new then you what you have from day one.Good luck on your choice.

 

[coobie]

If both will do the job for you, I'd be guided by who makes the tractor for BobCat and its part-availability will be a BIG factor, you already know who makes it for Branson.

I believe Kioti made the bobcat tractors that year.Not 100% positive though.