New Bobcat Guy

[lagarman001]

Hi All,
I've been floating around here doing some "research" before I pull the trigger on a CT230 HST. I've got 20 acres, mostly wooded, and am looking for a tractor to do some light digging, moving lots of rock piles to make a 200' long stone wall, and maintain a 1,600' driveway.

I'm a little confused on a "good price" for one of these things. I've been quoted as high as $25,000 from a local dealer, and as low as $18,850 from a dealer 2 hours away. Dealer seems reputable and is willing to throw in a box scraper. BC is having a deal right now for a free front mount snowblower.

Seems good, but I've seem people on here posting buying a CT230 for $4-5K less only a couple of years ago. What gives?

Thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to learning a lot from you guys.

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[Johndeere3720]

:welcome: to TBN! As far as pricing a couple years ago, Daedong (manufactures Bobcat/Kioti) tractors did that deal to get customers. Inflation as well as profit margins then rose a bit when the name was well established in the compact tractor world. As far as price, that isn't bad for that tractor. There are a lot of other brands out there however, John Deere offers the 3032E which is comparable in size to the CT230 and Kubota also offers a similar tractor(s) the B3200, B3300SU, and the L3200. I personally would shop with multiple brands in mind, this will allow you get a wider range of prices to examine and you may end up finding something that fits your use or preference better.

 

[lagarman001]

Thanks JohnDeere,
I have a local, very reputable Kubota dealer that worked me up a quote for a B3200, but by the time I added a $5k snow blower, I was looking at $23,000. He just called me yesterday to "get a status update," and after telling him about the free BC snowblower, he's now "reworking his price." We will see... The kubota is very light in comparison and has an aluminum rear. I'll be driving alot over rocky terrain and tree roots, etc....so I'm concerned about how well it will hold up.

I'm taking a road-trip tomorrow to look at the CT230, and am not sure I want to put a deposit on it just yet. He's pushing for a sale, b/c it is a 2 month old left-over before he gets his next shipment in. He says price will go up w/ the newly delivered tractors.

Decisons...decisions

 

[bp fick]

Don't forget other heavy tractors in your comparison. LS comes to mind. They are about where Daedong was a few years ago. They are pushing pretty hard to gain traction and the prices have been good, while they last.

Mahindra also tends to build heavy, older styled machines. If nothing else, perhaps looking at some of these other brands would confirm your BobCat purchase. Be sure, be really sure you're getting the right machine and you'll have no remorse after getting it home.