How far would you travel for the right tractor?

[breedtractor]

I've looked at a number of tractors now, and my wife thinks I'm crazy for driving an hour and a half after looking at pictures to see if one might be the one. How far have you driven to inspect a potential tractor?

 

[Peter 315]

Not a tractor but 3 1/2 hours one way for my wife's horse.......

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Well, the first tractor I bought in early 2017, I drove 550 miles each way. The second one I bought last year, I almost drove 650 miles each way, but opted to pay for a delivery service (hotshot). My neighbor just drove 650 miles each way to pick up his tractor.

 

[Wagtail]

It's a 1.5 hour one-way trip to my JD Dealership... mind you, due to where I live, that's the same time to most of the other tractor dealerships.

They do have mobile-repair utes, which I haven't had to avail myself of. They also delivered both of my tractors and all of my implements.

Still, I manage to pop-in whenever I'm in the area. Good people and always ready to answer my questions, including mechanical.

 

[breedtractor]

When you've purchased a tractor far from home, did you make two trips, or how did you ensure it was going to be good? Lots of pics? Have you ever arrived only to find it wasn't what you expected?

 

[rademamj1]

If you really are buying and not just kicking tires, and have thoroughly researched the tractor, and looked at pictures and discussed the tractor with seller over the phone. Discussed maintenance history. Also discussed best and final pricing. Made an appointment to view the tractor. Then I have driven 480 miles one way with a trailer, and stayed overnight at a hotel locally and nearby to the seller.

After viewing and test driving the used tractor, we again discussed maintenance history. Made payment by cashier's check and while the transfer paperwork was being finalized, we loaded up the tractor and chained it down for return trip.

While I was there, another buyer of a used tractor just asked for delivery and paid extra for that delivery, because he had no trailer big enough to move his tractor.

I would emphasize to do as much research and discussion over the phone, prior to making any long drive to view the tractor. Assuming there is no hidden damage to the tractor a photo would not show (like a bad clutch or emissions issues), you are making the trip to view a tractor and purchase the tractor.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I drove from Southern Ontario to North of Deluth MN to get a Wood Chipper. Had a friend pick me up a Stump Grinder in South Carolina.

 

[BrokenTrack]

It depends...

If it is new, probably not all that far because the tractors will be about the same. Price would be pretty close as well. Service is just about the same as well, as everyone will try to placate you for the sale, so unless something is really bad/outstandingly good, it will all be about the same.

With used equipment, it is another story. You have to get just the right one, so it might be halfway across the country...

 

[mikester]

Some guys are willing to spend a dollar in order to save a penny.

If you enjoy driving long distances, don’t care about fuel costs and your time is free (not turning down paid work), then getting a deal is more important than how far you are willing to go.

If the cost of shipping PLUS the item is significantly lower than buying local Id ship it. I would need to save more than a grand if Im going to waste a day picking something up.

If its a big ticket item and service is an issue Id probably try and buy local, even if it costs more. Especially if I have to pay to return ship an item for warranty service. I got burned once buying off amazon from a seller that sold and shipped the item. It didnt perform as promised and it cost me more to return ship than the item was worth. So Im now stuck with a POS item I cant use. I now only buy from amazon if I get free return shipping.

 

[Thomas]

Not long drive if it's something your interested in that way you'll get answer one way or another.

 

[Diggin It]

My dealer is an hour and a half, one way.

Made two trips. Once to look, next time to sign.

 

[Hay Dude]

Not a tractor but 3 1/2 hours one way for my wife's horse.......

Whew....that must have cost a lot! :laughing:

 

[Diggin It]

Tractor dealers aren't like gas stations. 50-75 miles apart instead of opposite corners of an intersection.

That said, I do have two reds, an orange and a green within 10 miles of each other. There used to be a third red, but I think they're gone now.

 

[breedtractor]

I bought a new truck out of state online. Test drove the identical model locally, but the one I got had the color/features I wanted and was 2 states away. Had no qualms about doing that.

Trying to buy a used tractor, different story. I've got one in Texas that looks interesting, one in PA, one in AL, and one outside of Indianapolis. Haven't been able to find anything local.

There is a JD 790 with ~630 hours across the river from me that I've considered. Not sure if it's going to be up for the loader work I need to do. Moving large rocks...

 

[Hay Dude]

If one found a significant piece of equipment that had the exact features they wanted and was in a part of the country where equipment sells cheaper, then one would have to weigh that against buying a “ compromise “ from a local seller.
Unfortunately Im in the high tax/spend/cost Mid Atlantic part of the US, so I always look for equipment in Ohio, west VA, and western PA.

 

[fried1765]

If one found a significant piece of equipment that had the exact features they wanted and was in a part of the country where equipment sells cheaper, then one would have to weigh that against buying a compromise from a local seller.
Unfortunately Im in the high tax/spend/cost Mid Atlantic part of the US, so I always look for equipment in Ohio, west VA, and western PA.

Last June, I drove 350 miles each way, some of it over only fair condition rural roads, to get my L48 TLB.
Used, original owner L48 TLBs, with exceptionally low hours, are not to be found around every corner.
I have continued watching L48s listed for sale over the past 11 months, and there has been nothing available anywhere, with similar features, or in similar condition.

 

[Hay Dude]

Last June, I drove 350 miles each way, some of it over only fair condition rural roads, to get my L48 TLB.
Used, original owner L48 TLBs, with exceptionally low hours, are not to be found around every corner.
I have continued watching L48s listed for sale over the past 11 months, and there has been nothing available anywhere, with similar features, or in similar condition.

I would do the exact same thing. There is the situation where something breaks, its unrepairable and you have to settle for a reasonable replacement to finish a task.
Adding the features you want later is tremendously expensive.
Buddy of mine always wanted a Deere 310 backhoe with cab & A/C.
Found one with cab but no AC. Spent $7,000 to add the factory AC to it!!!

 

[riptides]

I've looked at a number of tractors now, and my wife thinks I'm crazy for driving an hour and a half after looking at pictures to see if one might be the one. How far have you driven to inspect a potential tractor?

My wife and I visited five dealerships ranging from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours away while we were looking for a tractor recently. Our issue was that the particular model we settled on had just started becoming available at dealers. We phoned quite a few more "looking" if the dealers had them on the lot.

We ended up buying the tractor from the furthest dealer, they just had, in our opinion, better customer care and service. We received a call from them, telling us that a particular tractor was in fact closer to another store of theirs, and went and did the deal there.

I think, 2 to 3 hours, one way, is a fair mileage and time factor, but in the end, it's dealer rep and their customer service that is the overriding factor.

The dealer delivered the tractor too.

 

[BigBlue1]

I drove 1200 miles from MN to Texas to buy my Deere 2520. Fortunately my parents winter near where the tractor was for sale and could go check it out for me. And that also gave me another reason to make the trip (would have probably visited them regardless of the tractor so it was kind of a fortuitous coincidence). But the tractor was a smokin' deal and would have been worth the drive in any event. Saved 3-4K compared to anything I had seen in my region.

For the OP: Driving an hour and a half is nothing for a major purchase. On major purchases sometimes it is tough to find the thing you are really looking for (model or configuration) and when you're spending big $$ on a long-term investment you want it to be right. If driving a couple hours for that is too much effort/money/time then maybe the whole purchase is too much effort/money...

Rob

 

[Hay Dude]

I will be buying a IH 7400 or 7500 6x6 in the next 2 years and it will be from 3000 miles away in California. Its about the only place they are readily available