My Thoughts On The Current Industry Sales Model

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

After spending some time reading this thread: First Time Tractor Purchase TYM? or something else? I did a comparison tonight of pricing between a L2501 with Hydrostat transmission and 4wd with no loader and a L3901 hydrostat and 4wd with no loader and what I discovered is there is a 5K difference between the two tractors. Both tractors are same frame size and same features with the only difference being engine and PTO power. So in essence Kubota is charging the customer 5K more to tune the engine up to nearly 12.5 hp and boost the PTO hp by 11 hp. After seeing this I'm thinking that it would be far easier if the industry would do away with model numbers and go to the option system like the automakers have done. I personally find the current system to convoluted for consumers to follow. I think consumers would find it much easier to do a build sheet of options instead of pre-packed models that they must spend hours and days making minute comparisons with. Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Addendum: What I think is driving the current numbering system is different engine tunes. What is causing an extreme amount of confusion for the consumer is frame sizing and weight. I am going to reshare this video as I think it is the best explanation out here so far to explain the relationship between size, hp and capability.

 

[m1garand762]

You are forgetting that the l 3901 has emissions and a computer controlled engine which account for the difference. An appropriate comparison would have been the 3301 and the 3901

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

You are forgetting that the l 3901 has emissions and a computer controlled engine which account for the difference. An appropriate comparison would have been the 3301 and the 3901

That is true, thanks for pointing it out.

Ok so there is a $2117 difference in price between the L3301 and the L3901 but there is a $2617 different in price between the L2501 and L3301. How much of that is being spent on emissions and electronics is anyone's best guess. I have heard it said around here many times that emissions adds $3K to the price but that is apparently not the case when you analyze the difference between these two tractors.

 

[Roadworthy]

The L2501 uses a 1.6 liter engine and direct injection. The other two use a 1.8 liter engine and common rail injection. I have no idea why there's such a price difference between the L3301 and the L3901 unless it comes down to people thinking the more powerful tractor should command a higher price.