Buying Advice Looking for a tractor

[fried1765]

Ok , well my shopping experience for a tractor has led me down a different road. I have visited Kubota, John Deere, Kioti, Massey, Mahindra, Ls, New Holland, Branson, and IH case dealerships. All of these, except for LS, had 0% down, 0% interest for 60 to 84 months. LS just had 0% down with low interest rate for 60 to 84 months. The Kioti, Mahindra and Massey dealers all spoke up and told me upfront that the 0% interest thing was a wash as I could just finance it at a low rate with a cash price and if I paid it off early then I saved money.
If you look at these 0% specials you don't get other specials like cashback, or free loader, or other gimmicks they put out there. I ran the numbers on each brand and at best I saved 8 dollars a month on one of the 0% interest offers. But if you take that route then you just paid more for the tractor upfront, meaning you just paid more in taxes and you now have more showing up on your credit.
It's a business. Nothing is free. It is all smoke and mirrors so you can't see them picking your pockets, lol. Now of course you will not see any interest being charged on your statements because there is none. You have 0% interest. They just had it figured in on the original price they gave you.
Anyways this has been a frustrating part of my tractor buying experience as I always have to ask for cash price to actually compare prices. I don't like the gimmicks these brands throw at you. Just sell me on your actual product, show me how much better it is than the other guys. Don't try to sell me on some financing scheme, or free loader scheme. I just want the best tractor for my needs. Period.

Me thinks your reasoning is the exception, rather than the rule!

 

[fried1765]

Many of us cloud the difference between "needs" and "wants". I'm guilty and it's fun

BINGO !!!!

 

[rScotty]

The used tractor sounds good.

If you are doing rock work a backhoe is very handy. On top of that they are just plain fun to use.

Yes, I always get a chuckle out of seeing posts that say, "There's no need for a backhoe; if you need to dig a hole just go rent one."

I don't think we've used ours to dig any holes this year - definitely no trenches. We've used the hoe to lift some landscaping size rocks out of the creek and place them around the yard. Just before the snow came a few weeks ago we used the hoe to straighten up some of our fruit trees so we could support the branches - that's normally a heavy job. After the storm it was handy raking downed slash into piles and loading it onto the trailer. Plus the usual chore of holding broken trunks and limbs up for chainsawing.

Last week we used the hoe to push on the side of our old woodshed and hold it nice and square while we rebuilt the corner supports. That job also involved lifting off the ridge beam and part of the roof - easily done using the hoe as a crane.
rScotty

 

[Diggin It]

We've used the hoe to lift some landscaping size rocks out of the creek and place them around the yard. Just before the snow came a few weeks ago we used the hoe to straighten up some of our fruit trees so we could support the branches - that's normally a heavy job. After the storm it was handy raking downed slash into piles and loading it onto the trailer. Plus the usual chore of holding broken trunks and limbs up for chainsawing.

That needs an add-on thumb. Not included as standard, can be pricey and may not be self-installable. Might even need hydraulics.

Last week we used the hoe to push on the side of our old woodshed and hold it nice and square while we rebuilt the corner supports. That job also involved lifting off the ridge beam and part of the roof - easily done using the hoe as a crane.

Mine only goes to 6', not hardly enough to be a crane.

 

[Parrotman409]

I went and looked at the used BX2350. It is in very nice shape with 630 hours. Mower, loader and blower also all in good shape. Clearly stored inside. With it being an older BX, it doesn't have any of the fancy quick-connect stuff.

I also stopped at the John Deere dealer and looked at the 1023e and the 1025r. They seem quite a bit bigger and more 'solid'. Very clever quick connect systems. Certainly beefier.

In addition to my own yard, I will also be doing snow clearing for my wife's parents down the road and 2 other neighbours (close by, paid work).

The warranty on something new is appealing... Challenge with financing is something used at 48m is similar payment to something new at 84m....

 

[Diggin It]

I also stopped at the John Deere dealer and looked at the 1023e and the 1025r. They seem quite a bit bigger and more 'solid'. Very clever quick connect systems. Certainly beefier..

But as I understand it, not readily interchangeable with non-JD implements.

and 2 other neighbours (close by, paid work).

Read any warranty carefully. Paid work can be considered commercial use and may void or alter warranty terms.

 

[chim]

............................. Challenge with financing is something used at 48m is similar payment to something new at 84m....

A warranty is attractive, but if the cost is nearly 2X for new I'd be getting the used one.

 

[Parrotman409]

But as I understand it, not readily interchangeable with non-JD implements.

Can anyone explain this further?

 

[Raines]

But as I understand it, not readily interchangeable with non-JD implements.

Can anyone explain this further?

The John Deere QA system is different from the Skid steer quick attach system that is commonly found on other brands. So you would have to buy John Deere attachments to use with the John Deere QA system and could not be used on other tractors. There might be adapters out there though if needed. Maybe a John Deere guy could explain better.

 

[chim]

The short video below is a good illustration of the differences. The pins JD uses for the bottom don't look like they provide a very robust connection when compared with the standard SSQA tapered pins, but I never saw anyone complain about them. The JD system could be better or worse than the standard SSQA. It does limit your choices when shopping, renting or borrowing implements.

John Deere vs Kubota: Quick Attach Buckets - YouTube