Struggling with MX5400 purchase — could get MX6000 for same price. What would you do?

[jyoutz]

I bought my tractor across the state line in Colorado in 2021. This was during the height of the COVID supply chain shortage. My local dealer had no MX machines and didn’t know when he would get one. I bought from the out of state deal 3 hours away. Last summer I needed some minor warranty repair. The local dealer handled the repair with no issues and I always buy filters and other parts from the local dealer. He knows that I bought from his competitor across the state line.

 

[drunderw]

Key word here is "should". That doesn't mean they will, or that they will be fair with you if they do. Money talks, but it talks on both ends of a deal. If it were me, I'd see if the local dealer would match, or at least get close to the other offer. If you are capable of properly servicing the tractor on your own, I wouldn't be afraid to do the other deal. Any major mechanical issues would probably be worth paying the other dealer to make a trip to pick up and deliver it. I've done all the maintenance on my M9000 that I bought new in 2003. Then again, the only even close to major repair I've ever had to do to it is replace the alternator a few months ago. Absolutely no other major mechanical problems in 22 years. Do what's best for you by your definition of "best".

So I’m reconsidering the local dealer. Two reasons: (1) it seems they take quite some time to do work. I know someone who sent there tractor their for tune up over a week ago and they haven’t even given an estimate of when it’ll be worked on (2) when I shared the price to see what they could do on the 6000 the reaction was they couldn’t do better and their quotes are final, very abrupt. The salesman mentioned the 5400 computer could just be swapped later for a 6000 one anyway if years later performance was an issue -but I don’t know if that’s true.

 

[billfires]

24 years ago I bought a New Holland 1920 w/FEL and BH primarily for the dealer that was 12 miles away. They had been in business since the 1940's and built a new dealership that had about 15 or so service bays. The economic downturn in 2008 was too much and they went out of business in 2009. The nearest NH dealers are now a few hours away but luckily the only major repair was a clutch replacement 2 years ago at a small independent repair shop. Messicks has been great for the parts that I have needed via mail order. Just an fyi that even established dealerships aren't guaranteed to be there forever. Bill C

 

[JeepHead]

I priced 5 area dealers when I bought my Kubota. My local Kubota really didn't seem to want to make a sale, and they definitely were not the better price. One dealership worked really hard quoting me several different tractors with the options I wanted, was patient with me while I changed my mind 2-3 times on which tractor I was ordering, and not only gave me the best price but also threw in a free bolt on cutting edge and arm rests. That is who I ended up going with even though they are an hour away. I haven't had any regrets.

 

[drunderw]

I priced 5 area dealers when I bought my Kubota. My local Kubota really didn't seem to want to make a sale, and they definitely were not the better price. One dealership worked really hard quoting me several different tractors with the options I wanted, was patient with me while I changed my mind 2-3 times on which tractor I was ordering, and not only gave me the best price but also threw in a free bolt on cutting edge and arm rests. That is who I ended up going with even though they are an hour away. I haven't had any regrets.

Mine local has seemed irritated when I changed my mind or asked questions on anything

 

[JeepHead]

Mine local has seemed irritated when I changed my mind or asked questions on anything

My local Kubota were rude too. When I walked into the showroom, 3 guys sat at the counter 20 feet away and acted like I wasn't even there. They even acted as if I was bothering them when I asked if someone could go outside and walk the tractors with me. The shop I did buy from gave me keys to each one I was considering and told me to drive them around as much as I wanted.

 

[arrow]

Mine local has seemed irritated when I changed my mind or asked questions on anything

That’s unfortunate.
There is nothing you’re doing to cause that reaction.
I can almost guarantee This dealership is stressed with something else whether it personal or business oriented, something is awry.
They have created, by your description, almost an adversarial relationship where if the customer does not defer to all of their criteria, the customer becomes the enemy.
That, should just not be.
When you walk in, there should be a smile on their faces and very glad to see you no matter what questions you have or what your requests are.
They should politely explain what they can and cannot do and why.
That displays up front and honest behavior on their part and makes it a pleasure to do business with.

 

[txbonds]

Shop the dealer for sure. Its hard to get the JD dealer attention in my area unless you are a huge farm account. And the Kubota dealer owner, as I was buying a LP rake, told me straight to my face that I had pissed away half my money on my Kioti tractor and they wouldn't even give me half what I paid. Mind you, I wasn't shopping tractors at that time, but I guess they feel threatened by competition coming from other brands or are just arrogant. If I didn't need that rake I would have walked out but it was during covid supply shortage and I had limited options.

My current Kioti dealer is tops though. They always treat me like an important customer, deliver and pick-up my equipment for free, answer questions, etc. No other dealer in my area would deliver/pick-up equipment for free (for me anyway).

Shop the dealer, then the equipment. Good and bad dealers in all brands I think.

 

[arrow]

So I’m reconsidering the local dealer. Two reasons: (1) it seems they take quite some time to do work. I know someone who sent there tractor their for tune up over a week ago and they haven’t even given an estimate of when it’ll be worked on (2) when I shared the price to see what they could do on the 6000 the reaction was they couldn’t do better and their quotes are final, very abrupt. The salesman mentioned the 5400 computer could just be swapped later for a 6000 one anyway if years later performance was an issue -but I don’t know if that’s true.

The question remains why you think 6 more hp is important?
And it’s not about what anyone says here.
It’s about implements that are attached to your tractor.
If you are running an 8’ cutter deck, then 5400 will do that no sweat.
If you wish to get a 10’ deck and want to cut grass over a foot tall, then the 6000 would be more appropriate.
You should be thinking in terms of what you’re going to be doing and how fast you want to do it in order to ascertain which tractor is more beneficial to you.
If you don’t know, ask us questions.

 

[drunderw]

I would say that is exactly it, the MX 5400 will cover everything that I do today. I currently only have a 5 foot bush hog. That is the only thing today that I use my PTO for I certainly will look to upgrade to a larger bush hog having a tractor that can support it, but I’m not cutting large acreage. At most it’s 10 acres of field. I could probably make use of a stump grinder too, but I don’t have one. The big question is the things that I don’t know that I might want to do in the future starting a blueberry farm. I don’t see myself bailing hay that to me is about the only thing where I would need the MX 6000 or rear PTO horsepower over 45 or 46. Having not had a lot of experience that’s just me guessing from some Internet research I would definitely welcome any thoughts you all have from your known implement use.