I did it. Roast and discuss my choice. (sharing experience + numbers for others)

[Boss 302]

Excellent choice, congratulations.

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

Does anyone know why this wouldn't be a more standard option on tractors on the US?

I just got off the phone with Zuidberg NA. They are going to be sending me a list of tractors that they sell this option for, along with installation instructions. I can post both for the boys if anyone else is interested in this stuff. Basically for the 3point and the front PTO its going to be about 9-10k for the 4707, I imagine more for larger less for smaller etc. I asked them why this wasn't a more popular option in the US he basically said its just market saturation. As it gets more popular, more people will start to include it as an advertised option. I guess it's not profitable to market options nobody uses? Seems like a catch 23 situation. Additionally he said he was not aware of warranty issues, but contact your manufacturer first (and probably get it in writing hah).

The other thing he told me was that for my particular model, they only sell the counter clockwise front PTO. I had no idea but I guess those crazy euros sell all implements in counter clock, vs our clockwise. He said other models do sell front PTO that go clockwise, else you can try and find a snowblower that works with counter clock PTO.

What caused you to decide to not go that route?

If I recall my thought process from a few months ago, basically it came down to value, maintenance, and options. My primary concern is snow removal sure, but the more I looked into what this all was going to cost me, the more I wanted to make sure I was making the best long term choice. Skid steers are damn expensive, and arguably can do less. They are better at some things, but I think tractors have a wider set of jobs they can accomplish vs a skid steer.

I think dollar for dollar you are getting a lot more when you buy a tractor vs a skid steer. I imagine a lot of the value or cost of a skid steer is making it small and very maneuverable, something I don't really need out here. Additionally, using my cocktail napkin math - it seems that skid steers have a higher maintenance cost vs a tractor. Also probably more expensive to work on if there is something you can't do yourself.

Looking back, I am glad I went the tractor route as it will open up many options for managing the pasture, where a skid steer would be limited in that capacity. Mainly I am looking for the biggest bush-hog to keep that pasture in check. Also, this might seem minor, but unless you got a JCB skid steer, you have to climb through the front into that tight cab. Tractor is 100% more comfy

One remote for rotation, and one for deflection... unless you are running something else with one of the remotes?

you're right, sorry I wasn't thinking correctly. Still a noob here

Built a rear powered system for my 1742

This looks pretty nice. Do you have a rough cost what it cost for materials and if you had any guide you followed? I am not really into fabricating my own stuff, but I think it's something I could slowly get into, start with much more simple stuff obviously.

 

[metalbender]

Got a smoking deal on the blower at our Kubota dealer. Some new material, some stuff salvaged from an old pull type combine, a lot of seat of the pants engineering "sittn n thinkin" and cruising the net. Erskine and Schulte make them, very costly. I'm into this for around 2 k CDN. Having a well equipped garage is a must. Lathe, mill, welders and plasma cutter, porta band etc. Being 71 yrs old slows the process down a mite.

 

[Indian Territory]

I’m pretty interested in an MF4707. About the same price as a Powerstar75, but a LOT more weight. (The weight is more important than the hp to me.) I like the tractor a lot based on the specs list, but I was recommended by more than one person to steer clear of MF because of parts availability (and TRACTOR availability, for that matter). Any truth in that warning?

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

During my shopping period, I had a hell of a time even finding tractors to sit in. I usually had to find a model that was already sold or "close enough" to get a feel for what I was buying. The only one that I actually sat in that would have been the actual unit I was buying was a powerstar 75.

I eventually had to call around and I ended up buying out of state, but the delivery was "free". I think all the 75hp tractors are in real short supply right now.

As far as the powerstar, I just couldn't get over that it didn't have the clutch button on the shifter. That might be petty but the way I see it the less I have to use the clutch pedal the better.

 

[Indian Territory]

During my shopping period, I had a hell of a time even finding tractors to sit in. I usually had to find a model that was already sold or "close enough" to get a feel for what I was buying. The only one that I actually sat in that would have been the actual unit I was buying was a powerstar 75.

I eventually had to call around and I ended up buying out of state, but the delivery was "free". I think all the 75hp tractors are in real short supply right now.

As far as the powerstar, I just couldn't get over that it didn't have the clutch button on the shifter. That might be petty but the way I see it the less I have to use the clutch pedal the better.

What dealer did you buy from?

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

What dealer did you buy from?

Bruno's Power sports out of Arkansas.

With interest rates going up I imagine if you're a cash buyer you may be able to get a better price than I did. One thing that I did was called more than once, and just say you don't remember what you were quoted, I for sure got quoted different numbers each time. On the call where I pulled the trigger the sales rep wasn't willing to budge on the price because I think we both knew if I didn't buy it for that price someone else probably would have. He was willing to throw in some add-ons though, I think that's a good way to get some extra value as they can technically say they sold the tractor for a certain margin.

 

[goridedoo]

I had mentioned tuning earlier… I know in another thread here there was talk about Ekotuning being able to tune 4700 series tractors. They don’t have any information about it on their website.

Larson Farms (youtube) had a guy out of Iowa come tune their 450 quadtrac. Peak 8 Solutions is this guy’s company, and he’s a partner/dealer for AgroEcoPower. I see they have a +20 hp 4707 tune listed on their site for $2500. I might look into this before next winter.

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

I had promised some of yall pictures when it came in. Well its here, and I got it stuck within 15 minutes. Might be a record. Anyone know why the 3rd remote on the back is so rusted? Did they try to give me some used remote or something? I have an outstanding balance of like 2k from the block heater and remote install, but I certainly don't want to pay full price for a used rusted remote.

 

[WM75Guy]

Nice tractor. Can't answer the rusted question, would be one for the dealer. As far as getting stuck you did a good job. Did you use the FEL and curl the bucket to push yourself out?