Looks like I'm getting a 1533-H

[daniel.bergamini]

We've been thinking about getting a tractor for over a year now. I tend to over-analyze my decisions (analysis paralysis) because if I can't find the perfect choice, I'd rather not make one. In any event we've looked at a few options from some of the local dealers and online but haven't found the right one. Northwood Equipment, who has a few locations already, opened one in Enfield, NH between my house and office. Elaina and I took a swing by to look at the Massey Ferguson line of tractors and started the process this weekend.

I can't say anything about Massey Ferguson stood out above the other tractors we've looked at but I can't seem to find much negative feedback about them online. It could be that there aren't enough of them out there, but I seriously doubt that. After looking at the difference between the small and large framed 1500 series, we pretty quickly talked ourselves up to the 1533, primarily because of the loader capacity. “It's basically twice the tractor” as the dealer says. Once into the larger tractors, they only order them with the SS-QA FEL and HD bucket with replaceable cutting edge.

Anyway, the reason I'm making this post is to sanity check price and here it goes.

1533-H(ydrostatic transmission) tractor, 1525 loader – skid steer QC with HD bucket - $22950.00
4' rotary cutter (bush hog) - $1600.00
post hole digger – 9” auger - $860.00
loaded tires (split the cost) - $250.00
one grab hook on bucket @ center – n/c
one rear cross bar + lock, pin – n/c
1 year warranty, they said they would cover anything that MF doesn't (hoses, etc)
5 year extended powertrain warranty (included in the price of the tractor – running a special for the new store location)
5 year free pick-up + delivery for service work they can't do on-site

The AGCO insurance to cover the tractor while under the 36 month 0% financing will be about $11/mo.

So, not including the insurance we're talking $25,660 for all the above. Don't forget the SS QA HD bucket and extended warranty, hydro transmission and that I'm in the north east (kingdom of high priced tractors). How does that sound price wise?

Now seriously what is all this stuff about grease guns? What am I missing?

 

[gamble77]

Need a 5' bushhog, not 4...unless you want a small one for some reason.

 

[LoneCowboy]

That's outrageous
Seriously, he's off by 1000's!!!!!!!!!!!
I had all 4 tires loaded on my TC45 (same basic size tires), it was $150 TOTAL.
It should be a 5' cutter, not a 4'.
Even paying shipping it should be WAY cheaper to get it from somewhere else.

4 years ago i paid 18,000 for a 1433 (same as yours), FEL, synchro shuttle shift, 5' tiller, 5' box blade, 5' bush hog cutter, post hole digger, with 9" and 12" augers. Figure the tiller is about $1500 of that. He's off by 1000's.
And in 400 hours and 4 years, I've had two problems both of which cost less than $100 TOTAL to fix (i.e. forget the long warranty)

 

[jimg]

You should take a quick trip over to Warner and see how a quote from Knoxland compares. Theyre good people to do business w/!!

The mower seems *really* expensive and I think you could do much better mail order or from the new TSC coming to Merrimack. A good mail order place to get started w/ is Agrisupply in NC. I bought my Corroni tiller from them for a fraction of what the locals wanted.

Not sure about the PHD as far as cost but there again Id compare mail order places. One thing to keep in mind about the PHD...youre going to run into LOTS of rocks and perhaps ledge...its NE after all. Im sure you could get by w/ a PHD but I dont think itll be fun. A post driver might be more fulfilling and do a better job. Not sure what they cost though...although you can bet theyll be more expensive than a PHD. If you have only a small number of posts to put in you might just hire that out or rent the equipment.

Id push to have them cover the entire cost of loading the tires!!

As for extended warranties...everyone has their own comfort level but I suspect that if youre using your machine youll probably shake all the problems out in the first year. Im not so sure the extra is going to get you that much. As for pickup/delivery for service, in my experience, most of what needs to be done can be performed on-site.

 

[jimg]

Brian
Until youve lived there its hard to imagine the pricing system. Prices in general are grossly inflated.

 

[jacobweaver32]

Cowboy, you got a screaming deal... I havent seen anyone get a deal like that on this site before.

Daniel,
For comparison I paid the following in March '07 in NE Ohio:

1533 w/ 1525 FEL, HD bucket (66") , HST=$19,400
Woods PRD84" = $2400
Woods BX-80 Backhoe & subframes= $6,000
May 07
6' Woods Box Blade = $820

This was the price out the door with some training up front by the techs. They installed all the subframe connections for the BB for free and didnt charge anything for fluids, delivery, warrenty or tax (oh ya I AM a farmer).

You should go with a 5' hog... and I got prices for a slip clutch Woods in march for about $1200 (I'm not sure if they quoted the standard or medium duty model). You can get a KK @ TSC for like $700 bucks I think, I think they are shear pin though.

I thought about a PHD too.... because I was going to put up a 75'x 50' pole barn... however... once I saw the pricing I opted to rent instead, because like others have said.... you don't really need a PHD all that much unless you are constantly putting up alot of fence.

All in all, I would keep checking for some better pricing and let Northwood equipment know it... they may come down a bit. The 36 month 0% is good however... with 8-9k down I am still at $540 per month OOOUCCCCHHhh.... had another man'f had a 48month deal going... I may have gone another way.... did I say that aloud in a MF forum?!?!? OoOPs

Good luck

 

[jimg]

I think everything has gone up in price hugely in the last 4 yrs. Utility tractor 'back then' prices compared w/ current were considerably less for basically the same thing.

Jacob -- is the Woods prd84 a mower? If so whats the duty rating? The price sounds really expensive. Im buying a SD 7' from a local place down here for $1700. Thats w/ a 3/16" deck and 60hp gear box.

 

[JerryG]

I haven't priced one that size for a while but that does seem high even with a hydro. Get a 5' mower, a 4' is way to small. You wouldn't even know that a 4' was back there.

 

[LoneCowboy]

You may be right that the prices locally are outrageous, doesn't mean you need to buy from them. The internet is an amazing thing, even with shipping or going to get it, you can save tons. Lots of truckers sitting around not doing much, shipping prices have come down a lot the last year. I do agree prices have gone way up on any tractor, but that's still outrageous adn the tire loading proves. $500 for a $150 job? I don't think so.
My 1433 runs a 5' mower without noticing and I usually run a 6' on it (although honestly that's a little big). 4' mowers are for toy tractors, err I mean subcompacts.

 

[SDStock]

This sounds like a pretty good deal. I bought my 1533 last September with quick attach bucket, pallet forks and 6' MF rake for $18950. Northwood Power was my dealer down here in Northwood. Great to do business with and only had to replace the headlight switch so far. Kids jumped off the tractor and caught it with a coat sleeve. They came to the house and had it fixed in about 30 minutes. Good luck with your purchase!

Stephen