Help, I'm melting...

[dieseldoc]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

hey tornado,you might want to check out mahindra tractors,i bought a 4500(42 hp),18' tandem trailer w'brakes on all four,6' rotary cutter,20/20 disc plow, heavy duty boom pole,front brush guard for less than 15k,my dealer is outback tractor in cumming,ga,i think(not sure) there is a dealer closer to you,ck mahindra usa website for dealer locator,good luck!

 

[TBrown]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

Sorry to hear about your situation. I hate it when even one tree blows over on my land, losing that many must be like a punch in the gut.

There is a newcomer (to the US market) in the low cost tractor segment. Eicher tractors are mfg'd in India, and are being sold through Tennessee Coop stores. There are probably other dealers around as well, but not many. The closest one to you is in Columbus, Mississippi. I don't know squat about what models are available in the US, but they may be an option to the Chinese tractors you're looking at.

I know Soundguy has mentioned them before. He may know a bit more than I. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

It's a mute point. Tornado went with a Branson. You can find out more about his decision in the Zetor, Century & Branson forum. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tornado]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

dieseldoc, that sounds like a great deal!

I have already made a decision. I am sorry that I forgot to post a followup here.

Here is what I've chosen.

Branson 4220 with series 2 loader, R4's and a united HD 6' box blade. Delivered here for $17,500.

The reason for the decision was that Branson has 5 dealers in Alabama. I have no doubts as to the quality of the tractor. I also liked the warranty.

There are lots of good non-big-three tractor selections out there. I was very surprised. While I am 'wrenchy', I took the china tractors out of the running as my concern for support grew. My lack of spare time being the major issue, and the fact that several emails to different china tractor companies have gone unanswered. Maybe they have good reason or are very busy, but my time is valuable as well. regardless, I won't mention them by name.

As for my reluctance to buy big names other than cost, I have a good JD story I will pass along later that will explain why.

Thanks again to everyone for their comments and suggestions!
David

 

[Tornado]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

Here is the story I promised. It is true except I changed the name of the guilty party in this case

Back in the early/mid 80's there was a guy that worked for me. We will call him Joe. Joe had a medium size house sitting on a 1/4 acre lot with a few trees on it.

Joe is an all-around nice guy. Hard worker, and the kind of guy you would want to call your friend. Joe did have one problem. His eyes could overload his butt, and his budget.

On day Joe walked into my office and started talking about this really nice JD lawn tractor. I listened patiently to Joe as he poured over the high points and good stuff about this piece of equipment. He really thought it would make his life better.

After he had said his piece, I tried to gently remind him that the mowable area of his lawn wouldn't take 30 minutes to mow with a 20 inch push mower. He got a bit steamed, but took it in stride. He really wanted my approval (Joe had a lot of respect for me, and I for him). It was already bad enough that he had to go home and try to convince his wife that it was a good idea, but if I agreed, it would be much easier. I asked Joe to let me ponder on it overnight.

The next day after all the immediate needs of the morning were handled, Joe and I had a chance to talk over a cup of coffee.

He still really wanted that lawn mower. I asked him what the dealer was asking for it. He said "six". I said "six hundred?". He said, "nope, six thousand". After a rather pregnant pause, I asked him if he realized that he could buy a brand new Yugo with air-conditioning and radio for $4,200, weld four 22 inch mowers to the front of it and add mud tires, all for under 5,000 dollars.

I was dead serious since I could see no possible logical justification of the purchase other than he simply wanted it.

The next day, Joe borrowed money from the credit union and bought the JD lawn tractor. I think it was ten or twelve horsepower, probably Briggs and Stratton.

No offense intended to anyone's choice of equipment. My 20 horsepower lawn tractor cost me $900+. Sears had them on sale back at the beginning of winter. It cuts what grass I have just fine. I still think the Yugo would have been more fun

David

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( After a rather pregnant pause, I asked him if he realized that he could buy a brand new Yugo with air-conditioning and radio for $4,200, weld four 22 inch mowers to the front of it and add mud tires, all for under 5,000 dollars. )</font>

So YOU'RE the guy that came with the idea for Monster Garage !? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Thanks!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tornado]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

What's Monster Garage?

Evidently, I should wish that I had!

David

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What's Monster Garage?
)</font>

It's one of those shows on TLC (I think) where they take some kind of machine (usually a car) and make some other kind of thing out of it. One time they did exactly what you mentioned. They took a small car, not necessarily a Yugo, and welded on a bunch of reel mowers and hydraulics so that they could use it to mow football type fields.

I've only seen it once or twice, but I think that's the general idea. Kind of like Junkyard Wars on steroids! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tornado]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

Too bad.

I never thought the idea was original, especially since anyone with a welder at the time was scheming of ways to better utilize a Yugo Cheap, four wheels, cab, even a radio and air-conditioning in some of them. Best of all street legal!

I wish I had seen that show!

David

 

[jwstewar]

Re: Help, I\'m melting...

Here is a link to the show's episode guide - Monster Garage

Here is a link to the Mustang Mower in particular.