looking to purchase a compact tractor

Bob_Skurka · Sep 16, 2004

Well we can't spend other folks $$ 

Sure we can, just PM me with your credit card data and sit back and relax /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But back to the issue of weight and how the Mahindra weighs more.

If weight was really a big factor, then why does Kubota, who builds some of the lightest compact tractors available, sell nearly 50% of all the compact tractors sold? Deere & New Holland combined make up another 40% of the market, and both brands, while generally offering heavier machines that Kubota, are also generally lighter than the other brands in the marketplace.

It seems to me that based on people who vote with the $$$, the VAST majority of the compact tractors sold are light to moderate weight machines, with heavy machines making up about 10% of all the compact tractors sold?

SteveH_CT · Sep 16, 2004

Ohhh don't I know it... Well as I said - I'm not interested in getting another of those endless discussions going - just a point to ponder when purchasing something like this (I know I did).

SteveH_CT · Sep 16, 2004

OK Bob - you're a good guy and offer a ton of free information to people here... you deserve it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 6495 5680 4078 1248 ... or is it 84 ... darn it, I can't remember the last two digits. Well try both and see what works. Oh, and when you see the blue lights and the knock on your door... it won't be the New Holland Rep bringing you your free prize /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.

shoppintractors · Sep 16, 2004

If weight was really a big factor, then why does Kubota, who builds some of the lightest compact tractors available, sell nearly 50% of all the compact tractors sold? 

Check their Marketing & Advertising budget. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Don

Bob_Skurka · Sep 16, 2004

Don, cute answer, but not valid in real terms.

Advertising will increase brand awareness, but it won't sell bad machines in the quantities that they are being sold. Especially since 90% of the machines being sold would not easily be classified as "heavy" machines.

If advertising were as powerful as your comment would lead us to believe, then I suppose we would all believe that G.M. builds the best vehicles, Scott tissue would be the best toilet paper, and that everyone over 40 needs Viagra.

fishman · Sep 16, 2004

( suppose we would all believe that G.M. builds the best vehicles, Scott tissue would be the best toilet paper, and that everyone over 40 needs Viagra. )

Hey, I like Scott tissue, and drive a Chevy pickup, but I'm not over 40. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I just don't know what to believe now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

To20Chris · Sep 16, 2004

How many of the folks that buy their first tractor from Kubota have any idea that they are lighter than other brands, know why that is, or understand what the implications of that are? Did they really want a light tractor, or did they start with Kubota because they knew the name? I started with Kubota first too, and I really liked the B7610. If I had had the finances worked out faster, I would maybe have missed the weight specification, and not had time to look into it more. Then I would be one of the people you count as proof that people want lighter tractors, even though I don't.

The people on this board do extensive research on what they are buying, but many here still are foggy about it, and the number of people who do that much research before buying are the exception, not the rule. Many people are conditioned to think that lighter and more powerful are always better from an automotive performance point of view, and it is only natural to extend that to tractors initially.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 16, 2004

Chris, I honestly don't know who knows what about anything.

But I can tell you that most of the commercial landscapers in my area use Kubotas and they have multiple machines. The other units I see on the landscape trailers are JD units. Again those are not particularily heavy tractors.

I guess I think the gross weight of a CUT is less of an issue than some others do? Or perhaps better phrased, I guess I think heavy is not necessarily better for a homeowner who uses a CUT for multiple tasks around a homesight.

If I wanted bulk, I wouldn't be married to the lovely Mrs_Bob.

Evasive1 · Sep 16, 2004

Advertising and brand recognition is extremely important. If it was not I do not think companies would be willing to spend $2,000,000 for a 30 second advertisement spot.

I agree I think that your TBN shoppers are not going to go straight for the name recognition but rather the facts. But I think you would be surprised how impulsive some people are.
Back in my days of supervising several retail stores, Pepsi came to us with a great idea of pop in a 1 lt bottle and its price point. I told them that no one would buy a 1 lt when they could buy a 2 lt for 20 cents less. Well after the massive advertising campaign 1 lt were outselling 2 lt at a rate of 30:1. AAAHHHH the power of advertising /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

KiotiJohn · Sep 16, 2004

( I guess I think the gross weight of a CUT is less of an issue than some others do? )
Well, judging by how many times you've posted anti weight posts, I'd say that weight is MORE of an issue with you than most. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Seriously Bob, the man just mentioned weight once, and you've posted 5 posts with that theme in them.
It's really a subjective point, and we each decide for ourselves. I, of course, always go for more weight= more traction, but in this case, we're not even talking about equal tractors. I would definitely, given the choices, check out the Case equivalent to see if it's a better price than the NH. If there's still thousands in difference, I'd go with the Mahindra and ADD some 3pt. implements. After all, what's a tractor in landscape work going to do with nothing more than a loader? John