Tractor decision time.

[Donnyj]

Comparing 2 tractors. Farmtrac 360 with loader. Price 16,500 with ballast in tires, quick attach bucket and block heater. Dealer 10 miles away.
Kioti DK35 with loader 17,400 with quick attach bucket and ballast in tires. Dealer 2 hrs away.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Which one do you like the best? Which one do you fit on, and fits you as far as comfortable contols?
I wasn't really impressed with the Farmtrac when I was looking, but it wasn't a bad tractor. I also didn't like the dealer AT ALL, so maybe that influenced me.
I know the DK35, and I would certainly enjoy having one.
John

 

[Maka]

Donny,

Good luck in the decision making. I would drive each one and see what you like best, evaluate the jobs you will be doing and compare specs, talk to the dealers and see who you will trust and will give you the after service you are comfortable with and then decide.

Both Machines are good but I lean towards the Long/Farmtrac. I like the engine, the trans, the brakes etc. I will admit I am not totally objective here as the company that manufactures the Long also manufactures the brand I represent.

Have you driven both? What do you think about how each feels?

Maka

 

[SnowRidge]

DK35 if it was me, even at a two hour trip. No other dealers closer?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Personally, I would never consider any tractor that I had to drive HOURS to the dealer. From reading many of the posts on TBN it appears that I am pretty lucky in that I have Branson, Mahindra, Farmtrac, Deere, New Holland, Kubota, Case and Cub all within MINUTES of where I live.

I am impressed with the DK35, but as it is I would not buy one. I would, however, buy the Cub Cadet version of the DK35 because it is the identical tractor with the exception of the paint, and because the Cub dealer is only 5 miles away, in fact I test drove a DK on his lot and really liked most things about it (but it didn't have HST and I am spoiled).

If you like the DK, then you might want to see if there is a Cub Cadet dealer that is closer to you. We have a few Farmtracs around here, but I've never played with one.

I consider a relationship with a dealer to be important. Some people don't. But I'm willing to pay the extra 75-cents a gallon to buy the manufacturer's brand of oil or to pay a couple bucks extra for their filters simply to help build a relationship with my local dealer. It all adds up to probably about $5 to $10 extra per year, but I've found that it pays off in the long run when I want/need something. My local dealers have saved me hundreds of dollars on implements because they know I will come to them, and when they give me quotes, the prices are well below the prices marked on the implements and typcially below the prices quoted by the long distance low-priced dealers. So getting into the dealer every few months for a filter is actually something that I think is a money saving thing in the long run. I also know that they put me at the front of the line when I need something serviced. I just added a top-n-tilt system and they picked up my tractor and brought it back home and installed everything for me and did it quickly so I could get the machine back. All that is why I would not drive 2 hours to any dealer of any brand.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am impressed with the DK35, but as it is I would not buy one. I would, however, buy the Cub Cadet version of the DK35 because it is the identical tractor with the exception of the paint, and because the Cub dealer is only 5 miles away, in fact I test drove a DK on his lot and really liked most things about it (but it didn't have HST and I am spoiled). )</font>
Bob, clear something up for me:
You wouldn't buy the Kioti version "as it is," but you'd buy the Cub Cadet version. This makes no sense to me. Is it that you like the paint scheme better? Of just because the dealer is closer? They tend to be more expensive in the Cub version. John

 

[Donnyj]

I have tried the Farmtrac. Only complaints I have with the Farmtrac is the limited rear visibility down to the lift arms with the arms lowered. The seat was not very comfortable and the loader looked a little "cheap". I won't let a seat influence my decision though. I'm going to try the Kioti this weekend. I made a mistake on the Kioti dealer. There is one less than a hour away, but I have heard negative things about the dealer. I even called them and no one even answered the phone. The Kioti dealer that is 2 hours away seemed very nice on the phone, so I will visit him this weekend and try one out.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

John, the only reason is distance to dealer.

The Cub dealer is in minutes from the house. The Kioti dealer is in the next county and while the mileage is not too bad, the travel time is just over an hour away. I thought I layed out my logic of buying close to home with my comments about having a relationship with the dealer, buying filters from him, etc. Simply put, I will not drive past one guy who is a high quality long established dealer who sells the same machine and is virtually at my doorstep to get to another dealer who is an hour+ away from me.

As for pricing, that is very regional. So far the only guy who I've ever seen beat the price from the local Kubota/Cub Cadet dealer is my other dealer who sells New Holland/Branson. Prices here are very low compared to what I have seen in other areas. Remember, I paid less for a TC24D (hst) than I've seen quoted for CK20HST. Lots of other folks report things differently, but like I said early on, we have lots of dealers and lots of competition up here. Also hammering home the regional pricing issue, there were some posts a while back that people (in north & central Michigan) were quoted lower prices on Cub's version of the DK than the Kioti DK) Locally I can't say which is priced lower, but I won't drive an hour+ to find out either. I've good a pretty good grasp of the price range, I'd know if the local Cub dealer is going to try to bite me in the wallet, if he did try, I'd buy a competitor. Wait, that is how I ended up with the New Holland after going to buy another Kubota. I'm not brand loyal, I will pay for quality, but I won't overpay for anything. If the dealer won't deal, I walk. I'd probably have 2 Kubota's today but when I went to buy the new tractor the owner was on vacation. As soon as he got home he called me to cut the deal. Sorry, but I already did that with another dealer. Since then I've bought 2 more Cubs and a ZTR from the Kubota/Cub dealer so we are still close, but he knows I won't pay what his salepeople quote me.