ning
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The company I work for has a a very strict policy with regards to competitors - talk about your own product on its merits and don't discuss competition or competitors, by name or concept.
RK Tractor reviews???
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atsah
Elite Member
It seems that there are a bunch of company's selling tractors that I never heard of before, I was going into Cabela's one day a few years ago and they had tractors out front for sale, I'm thinking why would someone buy a tractor here, they sell clothing, hunting, fishing outdoor sporting goods stuff, if you have trouble with it who are you going to call to fix it, Cabela's..
It's going to be tough for these new branded tractor places to sell there tractors and prosper IMO.. I wouldn't buy one but that's just me..
It's going to be tough for these new branded tractor places to sell there tractors and prosper IMO.. I wouldn't buy one but that's just me..
RED ALERT: Batten down the hatches! Circle the wagons! (Or should I say tractors?).
Folks are actually talking about the 800 lb. gorilla in the room!
How in the world is it "trash talk" for Neil Messick to give his personal opinion on the issue any potential purchaser should be wondering about: Long term brand longevity and support? Especially with a private-label product offered by a retailer wholly reliant on a contract with a sole-source, third-party manufacturer.
I'm rooting for Rural King, as more competition is great for the consuming public, and they appear to be off to a good start. But let's not ignore the obvious challenge of long-term sustainability. That goes for any start-up tractor brand in an already crowded field.
As for Messick's post on how loader specifications are presented, this is nothing new, and hardly "trash talk" against RK. If you watch the Messick YouTube video from several month ago, you'll know Neil is an equal opportunity offender when it comes to evaluating loader specifications across brands.
I believe the bigger concern with this RK/TYM partnership is on RK's side. They have to be concerned that they don't do all the work building out name recognition of TYM made tractors and that TYM doesn't "Montana" them like LS Tractors did to Montana Tractors (also a retail brand name that relied on 3rd party to make their tractors for those not familiar with Montana). Unlike Cabelas venture with TYM where they never intended to service the tractor after the purchase, Rural King is investing a lot of money and thought by providing service and parts and I believe they will make this partnership work on their end.
LS tractors - which are a well made tractor widely liked on this board - is another company just like RK which is guilty of fluffing their loader specs and 3-point specs by only listing higher numbers such as the loader capacity @ the pivot pin instead of 500mm or 800mm from the pivot pin and 3-point capacity at the hitch instead of "24" behind pins".
I bet some people got a heck of a deal when Cabelas clearanced them out lol.
atsah
Elite Member
Sidewalk sale.. LOL
majorwager
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- kubota mx 5100 IH 484 ford 1620 lull 844b
rngrr?
Interesting points, let's unpack them.
First concern is the consumers that purchase RK Tractors, AGREED? So if TYM were to attempt to hijack the brand, they would be forced to support the RK brand or die a death of a 1000 paper cuts, Secondly, believe RK has smart lawyers who looked at the past to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Third, TYM already has a brand presence on US Soil, and it has sputtered. Mahindra has made a LIVING out of going to TYM dealers and CONVERTING them w/ sweetheart deals. Had a TYM dealer disclose in confidence, they could not ignore the Mahindra "TRACTOR WHISPERER". TYM builds a good tractor, not the most proficient marketing folks. Mahindra has divested some production to quality conscientious builders, like TYM and Mitsubishi (minority owners) but Mahindra folks are crafty salesmen..
Forth, where would TYM obtain a single dealer network remotely equal to RK. 100 stores an expanding. True it takes a lot more than 100 stores to blanket the US, BUT RK (speculating) does NOT need to saturate the nation. They sell a TON of other stuff, and currently, can NOT Keep tractors in stock. Their operation supports tractors, Tractors in turn support all of the other goods they sell. As long as the cash register in Korea is ringing, and they are building tractors at a comfortable pace, there will be a peaceful, one hand washing the other relationship. Fifth, the RK expansion is much more complicated that opening a tractor dealership. These stores are complex, encompass marketing research, lots of inventory, personnel, supply depot hubs, other franchise product geographic limitations, infrastructure costs, property taxes, available abandoned K-MART stores, ZONING!!!
Some of these minor tractor dealers, floor plan a few tractors, add a few trailers, take in laundry, and boom, a new dealership, then poof. Of course deere and Kubota the exceptions, and some low volume brands survive even thrive, like the kioti dealer in Carolina next to the kioti US import offices. (suspect the laundry business still viable, if the owner has no practical tractor experience)
Sixth, CAPITALIZATION. These folks are pay-as-you-go types, very little debt, which makes them attractive to TYM, They pay their bills, buy at discount, sell for volume, turn over inventory promptly, repeat.
Seven, They have a successful track record, reinvest profits to grow, they have a very loyal customer base, minus a few T-B-N folks. This is where my self restraint is truly tested and exercised.
Lastly, I do have a concern. I wonder what the bilateral trade agreement between korea and the US will look like. There lies a possible impact.
BOTTOM LINE: I do NOT believe they expect to sell the whole country a tractor. I do NOT believe it is necessary to sell EVERYONE a tractor for this endeavor to be successful. Since I am in NO manner or means affiliated w/ RK, I can say that there are some that I'd suggest make an alternate selection, even offer to drive them to the other brand location. If demand exceeds all possible expectations, it could be possible to see mini RK Tractor and implement stores, but we are already way down the road from 2018, and these folks think ahead, but remain grounded in reality, single steps at a time, they control their own clock.
And so It appears RK Tractors is doing fine, RK Stores are doing fine, open minded folks should realize positive value for their purchase.
Interesting points, let's unpack them.
First concern is the consumers that purchase RK Tractors, AGREED? So if TYM were to attempt to hijack the brand, they would be forced to support the RK brand or die a death of a 1000 paper cuts, Secondly, believe RK has smart lawyers who looked at the past to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Third, TYM already has a brand presence on US Soil, and it has sputtered. Mahindra has made a LIVING out of going to TYM dealers and CONVERTING them w/ sweetheart deals. Had a TYM dealer disclose in confidence, they could not ignore the Mahindra "TRACTOR WHISPERER". TYM builds a good tractor, not the most proficient marketing folks. Mahindra has divested some production to quality conscientious builders, like TYM and Mitsubishi (minority owners) but Mahindra folks are crafty salesmen..
Forth, where would TYM obtain a single dealer network remotely equal to RK. 100 stores an expanding. True it takes a lot more than 100 stores to blanket the US, BUT RK (speculating) does NOT need to saturate the nation. They sell a TON of other stuff, and currently, can NOT Keep tractors in stock. Their operation supports tractors, Tractors in turn support all of the other goods they sell. As long as the cash register in Korea is ringing, and they are building tractors at a comfortable pace, there will be a peaceful, one hand washing the other relationship. Fifth, the RK expansion is much more complicated that opening a tractor dealership. These stores are complex, encompass marketing research, lots of inventory, personnel, supply depot hubs, other franchise product geographic limitations, infrastructure costs, property taxes, available abandoned K-MART stores, ZONING!!!
Some of these minor tractor dealers, floor plan a few tractors, add a few trailers, take in laundry, and boom, a new dealership, then poof. Of course deere and Kubota the exceptions, and some low volume brands survive even thrive, like the kioti dealer in Carolina next to the kioti US import offices. (suspect the laundry business still viable, if the owner has no practical tractor experience)
Sixth, CAPITALIZATION. These folks are pay-as-you-go types, very little debt, which makes them attractive to TYM, They pay their bills, buy at discount, sell for volume, turn over inventory promptly, repeat.
Seven, They have a successful track record, reinvest profits to grow, they have a very loyal customer base, minus a few T-B-N folks. This is where my self restraint is truly tested and exercised.
Lastly, I do have a concern. I wonder what the bilateral trade agreement between korea and the US will look like. There lies a possible impact.
BOTTOM LINE: I do NOT believe they expect to sell the whole country a tractor. I do NOT believe it is necessary to sell EVERYONE a tractor for this endeavor to be successful. Since I am in NO manner or means affiliated w/ RK, I can say that there are some that I'd suggest make an alternate selection, even offer to drive them to the other brand location. If demand exceeds all possible expectations, it could be possible to see mini RK Tractor and implement stores, but we are already way down the road from 2018, and these folks think ahead, but remain grounded in reality, single steps at a time, they control their own clock.
And so It appears RK Tractors is doing fine, RK Stores are doing fine, open minded folks should realize positive value for their purchase.
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majorwager
Veteran Member
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- Messages
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- Location
- western new york
- Tractor
- kubota mx 5100 IH 484 ford 1620 lull 844b
rngrr..
There is another point. RK sells quality brands, These brands never see the store again once put in service. THEY WORK. There is a member who loves to say that every new tractor has a list of deficiencies, and pain in the butt buyers can create issues where none exist. I have purchased about nine NEW tractors in my time on the planet. NONE have ever returned to the dealer including my most recent Kubota. NOW, I have never had an 8 year warranty but looking back, can't remember a case where I needed one. I spent $4K this year on my IH, purchased in 1979. To date, almost 30 years, it has received new fluids and tires, It accumulated a bunch of annoying issues and they were all resolved in one comprehensive trip to the shop. None involved the engine, or transmission, but cooling was on the list. No major hydraulic component issues, but hoses, repack cylinders, that stuff. I don't bother to license my trailers these days so $600 for transportation. Point is, in many, many cases, absent abuse, and accounting for proper routine maintenance, tractors last. Now, excessively high operating hours can present a different scenario but mine are NOT in that category.
Tractors will come back to RK for routine scheduled work but the owner must compensate for non-warranty work. Still many owners perform this shade tree work at home or in their own shop. RK gladly sells the filters/fluids, all posted to the bottom line. I do NOT know the warranty language requirements necessary to comply with the 8 year term. RK may require scheduled work be performed by the RK shop? 7 years of abuse or neglect could create problems in year 8.?
There is another point. RK sells quality brands, These brands never see the store again once put in service. THEY WORK. There is a member who loves to say that every new tractor has a list of deficiencies, and pain in the butt buyers can create issues where none exist. I have purchased about nine NEW tractors in my time on the planet. NONE have ever returned to the dealer including my most recent Kubota. NOW, I have never had an 8 year warranty but looking back, can't remember a case where I needed one. I spent $4K this year on my IH, purchased in 1979. To date, almost 30 years, it has received new fluids and tires, It accumulated a bunch of annoying issues and they were all resolved in one comprehensive trip to the shop. None involved the engine, or transmission, but cooling was on the list. No major hydraulic component issues, but hoses, repack cylinders, that stuff. I don't bother to license my trailers these days so $600 for transportation. Point is, in many, many cases, absent abuse, and accounting for proper routine maintenance, tractors last. Now, excessively high operating hours can present a different scenario but mine are NOT in that category.
Tractors will come back to RK for routine scheduled work but the owner must compensate for non-warranty work. Still many owners perform this shade tree work at home or in their own shop. RK gladly sells the filters/fluids, all posted to the bottom line. I do NOT know the warranty language requirements necessary to comply with the 8 year term. RK may require scheduled work be performed by the RK shop? 7 years of abuse or neglect could create problems in year 8.?
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MossRoad
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Can you tell me the brand of tractor that Rural King sold in their lot in Niles, Michigan 8-10 years ago?
majorwager
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- kubota mx 5100 IH 484 ford 1620 lull 844b
Sorry Moss, I can not, and google is now asleep.
I only discovered RK about six years ago as an internet customer. There are no stores in NY. I do believe the tractor you reference was Chinese in origin.
rngrr…
I just noticed the occupant sitting on the floor of the tractor cab w/ the door open, so the buddy seat is not really for the wife after all? Nice!
I only discovered RK about six years ago as an internet customer. There are no stores in NY. I do believe the tractor you reference was Chinese in origin.
rngrr…
I just noticed the occupant sitting on the floor of the tractor cab w/ the door open, so the buddy seat is not really for the wife after all? Nice!
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They have sold 2 different lines of tractors. I believe one was a Massey Ferguson . Not sure on the other.
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