JerryG said:
I don't know from the way that this was written, if reference to hydraulic problems of the 231 was from you or FWJ or even someone else. But, who ever, apparently they don't know anything about the hydraulic system of this tractor. It has the same hydraulic system as the rest of that series on the lower hp end as well as the similar sizes in the 100 series. There are many things that does make it different from those but the hydraulic system isn't one of them. It is the odd ball though in that series.
I agree with some of the others, this thread has turned into a place for arguments with no good coming from it. Unless, making up facts that aren't correct is something one likes. CLose it.
Jerry, I'm in complete agreement that the thread needs to die. Your post address's an issue that is typical of why I stayed involved as long as I did. The simple fact is, so much of the "facts" being thrown about by a few people involved are false, misleading, bogus, and made up as they go. They've only served to confuse anyone who doesn't know the difference and irritate those who do.
Bottom line is, in MOST cases, a dealer is VERY critical in the use and usefullness of a tractor. Even those of us who do most (if not ALL) of our own repairs and service need a dealers involvement from time to time. Parts availabilty is only a small part of a big picture. And old tractors don't get to be old tractors without first being NEW tractors. They don't sell if there's no dealer. They don't sell if there's no place to take warranty issues.
Deere, NH, Kubota, AGCO aren't on their way out the door. Markets for tractors has been a changing business since the steam days. These "big boys" of the industry (in the US) have managed to roll with the punches. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Mahindra will earn their place here....in time. They don't have it yet. They need established dealers.
Lots of smalltime dealers ARE closing their doors for Deere, NH, and AGCO. They're being replaced by the big "superstore" dealers. That's to provide better service in 21st century terms. A small one horse operation can't afford an electronics tech, a transmission and drive train tech, an engine tech, ect. With a small dealership handling a few tractors a year, they're lucky to keep one old school general wrench spinner mechanic on the payroll. As an example, I know of 3 relatively successful small venue Deere dealerships that were shut down under pressure from the Deere "mothership". They were replaced by a large multi-outlet tractor superstore centrally located in the sales area formerly served by the 3 small dealership. That's the way these big guys are doing business nowdays. It works for them. They're able to provide the level of skilled service that modern tractors will require. The closing of these older satalite dealerships ISN'T evidence of Deere "hurting". Quite the contrary. It's evidence of them gaining strenght in todays market. It's the "big box" concept taken to the tractor world. Like it or not, that's the way big retail is doing business these days. Deere Inc. has always been recognized for their cutting edge business managment sense. I'd be inclined to think they know more about marketing tractors than any one of us. I've been acused of being old fashioned, and behind the times.....by someone who insists on remaining steadfastly locked into an old school perception of how to do business. Sounds hypocritical in many ways, doesn't it?
For those who've taken the time to read carefully, I haven't bashed Mahindra, the tractor. I haven't bashed Mahindra the COMPANY. I've made a few objective observations about what I see as their weakness's in the US market. A few people have taken it upon themselves to go for my throat, thinking (wrongly) that I'm condemning their favorite brand. If they'd stop and look around, they'd see my opinions are very simular to that of what Mahindra (the company) is TRYING to do. Some of these people are trying to make the arguement that their favorite brand is far superior to brands that are selling numbers that dwarf Mahindras sales in the US. Obviously, they aren't dealing from a full deck. Product superiority, for most buyers, is about Product, dealer service, sales, warranty, and resale. It's a package that isn't complete without all aspects being there.
In no way, shape or form, have I EVER said Mahindra isn't capable of reaching the next level in the US, but they just aren't there yet.
And if certain folks can't deal with any critisizm of their favorite brand, for whatever reason, they have problems beyond anything a simple tractor related discussion forum is capable of dealing with. If they insist on making up or misrepresenting facts to further their cause, they should EXPECT to be critisized themselves. Have problems with THAT, and EXPECT more jabs in the ribs.
