Kubota choice

[jimmpatrick]

There is no mention of a backhoe on the Kubota Europe site. The same goes for John Deere. The reason is I imagine that, while many individuals own a few acres or more in the US, not enough do in Europe to make it worthwhile marketing BXs or bigger.
If I were to stick to what was available locally, I would be asking you guys which shovel would match best to an L4100.
With a policy maturing this year I hope to buy a GR2120 as well. What I save on that alone will nearly pay for the transport of a container. Americans don't seem to realise how cheap things are there compared to Europe. My cousin worked for GE in the US. He was transferred to France - not Paris - and in his ex-pat deal his salary was increased by 90% to make up for the increased cost of living. I have a strong financial incentive to buy in the US as well as getting the tractor I want.

 

[Cherokee140]

I can understand that....years ago I worked with some guys that would bring over about 25 vintage Land Rovers per year from Europe/England....costs got a bit insane so we stopped doing that. I just would worry that even a modern smaller tractor is much more complex then a 1960's Rover. Parts are not an issue in this day and age....I have bought parts for my Opels and such from Europe (yea I am that insane, Land Rovers, Opels....and vintage Fiats...I hate myself I guess) But the service on the tractor could be much more complex then this vintage car stuff. I would worry about some issue I could or would not want to deal with from a complexity or cost viewpoint.

That all said it really sounds like you have a firm grip on what is all involved so more power to you. If you don't mind me asking what kind of costs are you talking for shipping....my last car was a Japanese Skyline and shipping was a bit over $8,000 US....water and over land to the middle of the country....I have not looked into it in about 15 years.

 

[TSO]

There is no mention of a backhoe on the Kubota Europe site. The same goes for John Deere. The reason is I imagine that, while many individuals own a few acres or more in the US, not enough do in Europe to make it worthwhile marketing BXs or bigger.
If I were to stick to what was available locally, I would be asking you guys which shovel would match best to an L4100.
With a policy maturing this year I hope to buy a GR2120 as well. What I save on that alone will nearly pay for the transport of a container. Americans don't seem to realise how cheap things are there compared to Europe. My cousin worked for GE in the US. He was transferred to France - not Paris - and in his ex-pat deal his salary was increased by 90% to make up for the increased cost of living. I have a strong financial incentive to buy in the US as well as getting the tractor I want.

Wow, no kidding? I hadn't realized that even the cost of products were that much higher also.

So, a question: what will you do if your tractor needs a more serious internal repair? I ask because my friend bought a new L3540 two years ago, and at approximately 150 hours it needed to be literally split in half at the dealership to repair some broken parts, related to the hydraulic system. The tractor was completely apart in the local dealership for a couple weeks. While kubota makes a good tractor, no machine or brand is completely immune to factory defects.
And even if you have a Kubota dealer there, would they be able to authorize warranty work on a tractor built for market in another country?

 

[Cherokee140]

Anything made by man can and will fail.

 

[jimmpatrick]

That all said it really sounds like you have a firm grip on what is all involved so more power to you. If you don't mind me asking what kind of costs are you talking for shipping....my last car was a Japanese Skyline and shipping was a bit over $8,000 US....water and over land to the middle of the country....I have not looked into it in about 15 years.

I'm in Scotland for the winter so I don't have all the details. I got the BX24 for $15,000 then added a brush ( bush?) hog, a tiller, a back blade and a 3pt hitch. I had to pay 20% sales tax this end plus import duty for a total cost of $23,000. I'd say about $3,500 at most for a 20' container.
TSO
So, a question: what will you do if your tractor needs a more serious internal repair?
Regret not importing a John Deere. Seriously. There are Kubota dealers here. I can get the parts shipped or I can get my son to pick them up if they are portable. (He works for Merck and visits the US regularly.) I also have a mechanic friend who comes once a year for not too complicated work. (This year's task is to replace the HST fan on the BX24 before I sell it.)
I don't expect to get any warranty with a tractor from the US. I'm told dealers are not supposed to export them.