How do the different manufacturers stack up?

albmn10 · Aug 3, 2005

Hello Stoner, to answer your original question, I agree with a previous post, all are good, some are great... You get a lot of hype with a question posed as yours when your dealing with many different tractor owners.. Some have hidden agendas, some have strong brand loyalty, some just like to stir the pot. Some of the brands you mentioned are about to enter into the Chinese and other Asian markets, so while your big three may run the us market share , worldwide the compact tractor sales are going to be a bit different , and we are in a global enconomy now so even the American shares will be changing over the next few years as well. If you want to know about a specific brand, pose your questions in the individual brand specific chat rooms.. There youll find owners who have owned several of the brands your inquiring about and can give you more accurate information. The most imporant thing for you to remember is to find a good dealership. and good and bad dealers come in all brand colors.... good luck

Ranch_Hand_Supp · Aug 3, 2005

Very well said Albmn10.....

Hypernix · Aug 3, 2005

( What Bob didn't mention was Kioti makes 50% of Cub Cadet's Tractors. )

Interresting, If someone were to put in order, the SCUTs/CUTs volume produced by all the SCUTs/CUTs "makers" instead of the SCUTs/CUTs "sellers", would we still have the same top 3? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Hypernix

MikePA · Aug 3, 2005

Interresting, If someone were to put in order, the SCUTs/CUTs volume produced by all the SCUTs/CUTs "makers" instead of the SCUTs/CUTs "sellers", would we still have the same top 3? 
Yes. Particularly since the statement you quoted was shown to be incorrect.

Dargo · Aug 3, 2005

( so while your big three may run the us market share , worldwide the compact tractor sales are going to be a bit different )

Uh, we are talking worldwide compact tractor sales. If not, the current 4th, 5th, and 6th would certainly be much different in the U.S. only, but the top 3 are the same. This is fact, and not opinion. These stats can easily be researched on the net.

BobCurry · Aug 3, 2005

Stoner,

FWIW, after 6 months of driving/looking, pricing, visiting dealerships, asking the mechanics which brand they prefer to work on, local dealer/service, re-sale value, asking construction crews/landscapers why they switched brands, etc..., I went green and I haven't looked back!

Bob

frank_f15 · Aug 3, 2005

You ask a question that is almost impossible to ans. it really all depends on the individual and the individual tractor. some folks have had problems with brand X and dislike it , and some love brand X , make your own decesion, but some of the off name brands (big 3) are pretty nice machines.

Yardster · Aug 3, 2005

Bottom line is this: Try out all the tractors in the range you are looking for (30 HP I think you said) and pick the one you like the best - hopefully that also translates to the best dealership.

Stoner · Aug 3, 2005

I guess by the number of posts on this subject I stirred the pot a little. It like asking a group of hunters what is the best rifle caliber to use for deer hunting? There is and will not ever be a general consensus. I have received some excellent advice from many of you. Being a first time tractor buyer I guess it is not much different than buying a car or boat. Many times much to my detriment I tend to over research an item I intend to buy. However when it is done and over with I am generally satisfied with my purchase. Some of the board members gave me some ideas as to other manufacturers that I had not considered before (i.e. Kioti and a couple of others). It was also good advice as to select a good dealer that will take care of you after the sale. I guess I will be burning up the roads driving several different tractors to find the one I like best. It is a balance between the right tractor, at the right price, and finding the right dealer.
I have driven tractors before when I worked in the citrus groves back in the 1960’s and early 70’s. I have used Ford. Case, and Minneapolis Moline. The Minneapolis Moline was a huge monster to operate. I am not totally new to tractors but it has been awhile.