Ranch Hand

[bluechip]

I have recieved a rather lengthly response by email from RHT ( I suspect others have too) and in it he makes some valid points. I don't know why His responses were not posted here and I won't quote them, because if he wanted it here, he would have put it here. But he did get me thinking a little.

I will say that it is at least plausable that he is doing more than the re-assembly after crating that is normal with Chinese tractors. LOVOL, formerly FOTON, formerly Futian, uses outsourced components (to the best of my knowledge). I even have brochures from other companies, that seem to have tapped these same suppliers and build a "foton" look alike tractor. It is possible (and perhaps even a good idea), for someone to import these component parts and do the complete manufacting assembly process here in the states. I am not saying that Ranch Hand Tractors is or is not doing this as I don't know. If they are, then I admire the effort.

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

I got it as well.

Does look like he would have posted it here ???

Maybe he will??

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply

 

[Affordable]

Well if he's changing shafts, bearings,drive ect.Here in the USA he must be doing it at his location.If someone lives or drives thru the area they should stop by and see the process.Heck I use Koyker loaders, USA shipping trucks and USA freight forwarders,but that does not mean my tractors are made in the USA.
If there is a waiting list ,what are the tractors in the Pic's,and the sign "New Shipment Just Arrived ",I too think if he is doing all this work at his location and providing American jobs thats great.

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

 

[JohnS]

The now defunct McConnelmark used to do extensive assembly. They carried one old Jinma model a few others from another chinese line. While I never toured their facilility, I know of others that did. It is hard to compete against pure crate assemblers, when to the consumer, they look the same. I don't know any McConnelmark owners to say if they were any better or not. Back a few years ago, it was common to see such claims on many a website. Most were BS.

 

[bluechip]

Yes, it would be difficult to compete with the low labor costs in China. As it is, it's only the freight savings that makes the reassembly from crate economically feasable. I can see that early on, it made sense for a company like McConnel Marc to essentially recondition brand new tractors. When they set up to do this, the Chinese quality was much lower, making such a program necessary, but prices in china were also much lower than they are now. Less competition here in the states meant higher real retail prices. There was plenty of room for direct American labor and componentry. Fortunately the quality of most Chinese factories has improved significantly over the last few years, but as that has happened, the gap in pricing is closing. We now pay between $200 to $500 extra on each tractor, just for EPA certification, which is justified because the of the ongoing recordkeeping and warranty requirements of emissions control systems. The cost of a tractor in China has jumped about 30% over the last 5 years and retail prices have been remained farily flat. Major brands have introduced some low priced competitors, that in many cases may not be any better than the chinese product, but bear the established brand name. This business is not easy!

It might be possible for a US company to buy the compents from their respective manufacturers in China and truely build a tractor in the USA, but I would sure change enough sheetmetal and fiberglass so it looked unique and even then, unless it was done under an established old line name, I think the chances of success would be slim.

I will say that knowing what I know, I personally have a hard time believing the advertising claims of this particular company, but his customers have easy access to see for themselves the level of assembly performed, the actual parts substituted, etc They are in a better position than most of us are to evaluate his claims. Every dealer who spends a day or two going over a crated tractor probably has more Labor dollars in the product than the plant in China does... Just a thought.