New tractor advice sought

[Billy Bee]

Paying more than you want to pay, and not what you want, sounds like a recipe for regret. I would check out the other dealers, you may find something you really like at a better price. If you can do your own routine maintenance, your new tractor may never see the dealer again. See if the other dealers would pick up your tractor free or for a small fee if warranty work was required. Your initial savings may offset any transportation costs, and you would have a tractor you are happy with.
Just my 2 cents
Bill

 

[cford36]

Paying more than you want to pay, and not what you want, sounds like a recipe for regret. I would check out the other dealers, you may find something you really like at a better price. If you can do your own routine maintenance, your new tractor may never see the dealer again. See if the other dealers would pick up your tractor free or for a small fee if warranty work was required. Your initial savings may offset any transportation costs, and you would have a tractor you are happy with.
Just my 2 cents
Bill

I agree!

 

[ericm979]

I've been doing those calculations in my head for a week. I do all the routine maintenance on my vehicles. Most never see the dealer after I buy them. It's warranty or non-routine stuff that concerns me. Also that I'm not as familiar with tractors as I am with cars and motorcycles.

Just judging from the posts here, the other brands I'm looking at are not as reliable as Kubotas. I'm not trying to denigrate anyone's favorite brand or any of the helpful people from dealers who post here. I realize that forum posts are not the most accurate way to judge reliability but it's the best I have. There's a larger percentage of owners who posted that they had a problem or two and it was taken care of by the dealer. If the dealers were closer it would not be much of an issue.

I've only been shopping the other tractors on specs and features. I have yet to test drive one. I might not like them.

I was exchanging emails with the two closest dealers, to get prices and get an idea of how I'd get support. Neither are willing to pick the tractor up. One of the local Kubota dealers is, and included 50 hr service as part of the quote (that's the full price dealer). I've already scoped out renting a trailer and truck large enough to tow it up my mountain; it's about $300/day. Dropping the tractor off and picking it up would cost $600 and two days off work. Both dealers have not returned my last email. That's what made me realize that I maybe should take the safer local option. If they can't take two minutes to send an email what are they going to do when I have a problem? If only Dave's Tractor was closer to me! Based on Daves posts I'd be comfortable being some distance away... but not 4+ hours.

At least with a Kubota it'll have good resale value (remember where I live "tractor" == Kubota) and I can sell it if something I like better comes out or has support in the area. My wife had to remind me that it doesn't have to be the last tractor I buy.

Of course if one of those dealers replies I might change my mind...

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I've been doing those calculations in my head for a week. I do all the routine maintenance on my vehicles. Most never see the dealer after I buy them. It's warranty or non-routine stuff that concerns me. Also that I'm not as familiar with tractors as I am with cars and motorcycles.

Just judging from the posts here, the other brands I'm looking at are not as reliable as Kubotas. I'm not trying to denigrate anyone's favorite brand or any of the helpful people from dealers who post here. I realize that forum posts are not the most accurate way to judge reliability but it's the best I have. There's a larger percentage of owners who posted that they had a problem or two and it was taken care of by the dealer. If the dealers were closer it would not be much of an issue.

I've only been shopping the other tractors on specs and features. I have yet to test drive one. I might not like them.

I was exchanging emails with the two closest dealers, to get prices and get an idea of how I'd get support. Neither are willing to pick the tractor up. One of the local Kubota dealers is, and included 50 hr service as part of the quote (that's the full price dealer). I've already scoped out renting a trailer and truck large enough to tow it up my mountain; it's about $300/day. Dropping the tractor off and picking it up would cost $600 and two days off work. Both dealers have not returned my last email. That's what made me realize that I maybe should take the safer local option. If they can't take two minutes to send an email what are they going to do when I have a problem? If only Dave's Tractor was closer to me! Based on Daves posts I'd be comfortable being some distance away... but not 4+ hours.

At least with a Kubota it'll have good resale value (remember where I live "tractor" == Kubota) and I can sell it if something I like better comes out or has support in the area. My wife had to remind me that it doesn't have to be the last tractor I buy.

Of course if one of those dealers replies I might change my mind...

Dave's tractor is where I bought my last Mahindra from. 650 miles door-door one way. Never had a better buying experience and the one warranty issue I had, they just sent me the replacement part. My first Mahindra purchase was from further away than Dave's, didn't know about Dave's at that time. Zero issues.

My suggestion, go over to the World AG Expo next month and look at ALL the different makes and models and get the tractor that you like the best. Forget about where the dealer may be. Percentages are by far in your favor that you will NEVER need the dealer at all. Or just get something that you don't really like, but is convenient to get work done on IF there is a problem, and that is a big IF.

Good luck with your decision, whatever it may be. :thumbsup:

 

[fried1765]

I've been doing those calculations in my head for a week. I do all the routine maintenance on my vehicles. Most never see the dealer after I buy them. It's warranty or non-routine stuff that concerns me. Also that I'm not as familiar with tractors as I am with cars and motorcycles.

Just judging from the posts here, the other brands I'm looking at are not as reliable as Kubotas. I'm not trying to denigrate anyone's favorite brand or any of the helpful people from dealers who post here. I realize that forum posts are not the most accurate way to judge reliability but it's the best I have. There's a larger percentage of owners who posted that they had a problem or two and it was taken care of by the dealer. If the dealers were closer it would not be much of an issue.

I've only been shopping the other tractors on specs and features. I have yet to test drive one. I might not like them.

I was exchanging emails with the two closest dealers, to get prices and get an idea of how I'd get support. Neither are willing to pick the tractor up. One of the local Kubota dealers is, and included 50 hr service as part of the quote (that's the full price dealer). I've already scoped out renting a trailer and truck large enough to tow it up my mountain; it's about $300/day. Dropping the tractor off and picking it up would cost $600 and two days off work. Both dealers have not returned my last email. That's what made me realize that I maybe should take the safer local option. If they can't take two minutes to send an email what are they going to do when I have a problem? If only Dave's Tractor was closer to me! Based on Daves posts I'd be comfortable being some distance away... but not 4+ hours.

At least with a Kubota it'll have good resale value (remember where I live "tractor" == Kubota) and I can sell it if something I like better comes out or has support in the area. My wife had to remind me that it doesn't have to be the last tractor I buy.

Of course if one of those dealers replies I might change my mind...

I absolutely DO NOT UNDERSTAND why nearly everyone on TBN is hung up on the "good dealer" syndrome, and how close the "good dealer" is!
Over the years (many) I have bought cars, I have NEVER bought a car just because a "good dealer", happened to be nearby.
We do not live in the Sahara desert! There are car and tractor repair shops everywhere.
I have a 20 year old Mercedes that has only seen the dealer ONCE in 20 years, and that was NOT the original purchase dealer.
If you need a repair part, it does not need to come from a nearby dealer. It can come from ANY dealer. The UPS/FedEx drivers will be happy to leave it at your house.
When I buy a car/truck/appliance etc. I buy from a business that has the best quality product, and at the best, or close to the best, price.
I probably would not buy an appliance from 100 miles away, but have bought cars from up to 500 miles away.
Those cars NEVER went back to THAT dealer!
I do not see a leisure tractor (it seems that most of us are leisure users) as being much different than a car purchase.
If you MUST buy a NEW (that is another subject) tractor, why not buy what you want, at the best deal you can make.
Who cares where the dealer lives!
And.... if you are still stuck on that dealer thing ..... buy a trailer to fit your tractor!
Then....you can haul your tractor to the dealer whenever you are overwhelmed by that desire to visit the dealer.
You will soon also find that an equipment trailer is a VERY handy thing to have.

 

[IslandTractor]

I understand Fried's point but his thoughts are probably more appropriate for an experienced tractor owner than someone acquiring a tractor for the first time. Last thing you want when you choose your first tractor is some salesman who is just interested in selling you what's on his lot.

I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to drive to Dave's to see his Mahindras. Whether or not you buy a Mahindra you can be sure that you'll get top notch advice on what sort of equipment would suit you best. Maybe the closer dealer is as good but unless you know that it is worth driving to talk to someone like Dave.

I bought my second tractor sight unseen from a dealer I had learned to trust here on TBN. He delivered it 300 miles to me on an island, had dinner, spent the night with us and then drove home the next day. I never have had to take the tractor to a dealer again though I have spent time on the phone getting advice and ordering supplies. Having a dealer close by can be nice but it is WAY over rated. UPS and cell phones and digital photography make many trips to the dealer unnecessary. I had my dealer's mechanic talk me though the diagnostics to figure out why my 4 wheel assist stopped working. I was literally crawling under the tractor with my cell phone while he directed me to check things. Discovered a loose electrical connector (brush disconnected it) and plugged it back in. That was significantly more efficient than even taking the tractor to a dealer ten miles away.

 

[ericm979]

Good points about not needing dealers nearby. I have bought competition motorcycles sight unseen from halfway across the country. But in that case I knew who the importer was and that they'd take care of me, and I know motorcycles better than I know tractors. So I'm being cautious. After all the point is not the tractor, its what I can do with it.

 

[Oldtimermich]

Use beet juice for loading the tires... much better than ending up with a rusty wheel too...IMO

 

[IslandTractor]

Good points about not needing dealers nearby. I have bought competition motorcycles sight unseen from halfway across the country. But in that case I knew who the importer was and that they'd take care of me, and I know motorcycles better than I know tractors. So I'm being cautious. After all the point is not the tractor, its what I can do with it.

All the more reason to go see Dave.

 

[fried1765]

Use beet juice for loading the tires... much better than ending up with a rusty wheel too...IMO

"Beet juice" is great, and is the heaviest per gallon of all options, but it costs like he11!
That said, windshield washer fluid is about 1/3 the cost of "beet juice", though it does weigh about 25% less.
If it does not go below freezing in the Santa Cruz Mts., or only occasionally goes slightly below, why not use water?
Water is not as heavy as "beet juice" either, but water is FREE!
Whatever the liquid ballast, tubes should be used.
Calcium Chloride (CaCl) should NOT be used under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ...even with tubes!