What makes you buy ?

[garth466]

I like Putt Putt Green's number one reason. I didn't know what I needed, mostly because I don't have a "need" for a tractor. I wanted one and now I'll find some needs for it.

One more benefit the Deere gave me is the Ehydro pedals are exactly the same as my mower that I have spent 72 hours on since May 15 of this year. As far as going forward and backward, I'm already an old pro. I'm still pretty green so to speak with the rest as my meter had just over 3 hours on it after I hopped off. I started with 1.7.

I think I'll hop on and see what else I can destroy now.

 

[zeuspaul]

I was new to tractors..so

First I searched the Internet for the most popular tractor forum...

Then I searched the most popular tractor forum for the brand with the most posts...

Then I bought a Kubota...

For me it was safety in numbers

 

[IXLR8]

I have not pulled the trigger yet, but deciding factors for me, in order of importance.
1) Dealership support- Some of the dealerships in my area are very unfriendly, see no reason to give my money to them.
2) Ergonomics- If I am going to be in the seat for hrs... I need to be comfortable.
3) Price- Why pay more than I have to.
4) Not going gray market/Chinese due to dealer support, or lack there of, I will be sticking with the top 5.

Jim

 

[MrJimi]

D7E, I hope I don't get bashed for not owning a tractor but I was looking for a used Bobcat 773 and I did find a nice one but the man would not budge off his price one penny and even went up a $1K? We went home with a big pocket full of cash and I searched the Internet and found a Case 1845C instead, it weighed lots more with a larger Cummins engine and I bought it on the spot for cash. I have no regrets at all, I own a strong machine that has done unreal stuff for me and I love it.
I went to local dealer and he was high on prices and low on machine quality
I did not get or ask for any kind of warranty and did not expect any, I bought used and I got used and Proud of it.
I hope I'm not out of line by replying in your thread
Thanks
Jim

 

[GaryCrowell]

The most important thing for me is that it be from a reputable manufacturer. That means to me that it's built by Deere, Massey Ferguson, Kubota, or Case/New Holland. I don't want any second tier tractors due to the possibility that parts might become unavailable 15-20 years down the line. That get's a me called a lot of names around here because many like their mahindras and kiotis. I have nothing against either tractor and hope these companies become well established in the U.S., but they're not right now and I'm not taking a risk on a product that can't guarantee me customer support. Beyond that I shop mainly on price. I can get any of the name brands I mentioned serviced at a number of dealers within driving distance of me, so a dealer going out of business isn't going to affect me.

 

[john_bud]

There are many things that trigger a sale. Some folks (cough cough - Soundguy! - Cough cough) may even have more tractors than acres. They just like tractors and narrowly target machines to uses or even a single use.

What I have found is that there is really little difference in price between similar tractors. Sure, a fancy JD 30 hp tractor is more than a stripped Kubota 30 hp tractor, but if you look at each segment they are very close on price. Now, you may have to travel a bit to get that low price as regional variations are astonishingly large.

Once the uses for the machine are set, the size and features determined that best meet those needs a list of tractors can be found from each of the companies. Then some seat time will see what "fits me" the best. Some very good machines just don't fit and are uncomfortable to use and feel awkward all the time. Others fit like a glove. (Not OJ's glove either). Oddly, if a 30 hp K tractor fits perfectly , it's not a sure thing that the 40hp will fit. That may fall to the NH or JD or.... You have to sit and see.

Oh, Gary Crowell - I agree with your point. Just look at Cub Cadet. They used to sell CUT's from Mitsubishi. Not so much any more. It's like buying a Studebaker, Nash, Hudson or similar. Great cars, but sort of hard to get replacement parts for them today!

jb

 

[beersngars]

When I started looking for tractors, my efforts were on a MF135. Don't know for sure why, but around here they seem to be very well represented. I searcher this and other forums and discovered I also needed a FEL. That redirected the search considerably. I wanted a CUT, with a FEL and of course 4 wheel drive. The hunt continued. Next I discovered only a hydrostat would do so the choices were further limited. Now mind you the search was fun because; A) tractors are found in the country, B) the wife and I love the country, C) our Harley cruises well in the country. The search was ongoing for almost 3 months.

After no luck finding a "deal" on the narrowed peramiters, I thought, I'll look at new. After all when we were looking at all the dealers for a used unit, one could not help but notice the shiny new models. First I looked at JD. Nice, very nice but better ride on over to the MF dealer. Less than impressed with the new models. New Holland was next. Really liked those. The egro's were nice and over all I thought a very nice machine.

One thing bothered me with all the above models, NONE were completely built here. Well, I might just look at the Kubota's before making my final decision on the New Holland. After all most of my friends that know squat about tractors all liked them.

We had all ready been to that dealer looking at the Case and New Hollands, just better take a quick peek at those Jap models. Long story short, I fell in love with them and all I had to do was pick a model. Ended up with a 2007 Kubota L3400HST with FEL, Woods BB60XX and ballast box and never looked back. 100% satisfied.

 

[tydp]

For me, brand is important. I would never buy anything other than major brands. I also consider country of origin. (I know, I know!) There are many models of the majors built in what I would consider "3rd world or backwards" countries. I would consider models made in the US, England, France, Germany, Japan, and possibly South Korea. I would not consider anything made in China, Mexico, Turkey, Hungary, or India regardless of brand.
After I decide on make and model, I always buy from the dealer who is lowest in price. (Hey, it's business.)

 

[john_bud]

I agree with your point on China, Turkey and Hungary, but wouldn't exclude Mexico and India. Many many US cars / trucks are made in Mexico. Heck, most politicians think Mexicans vote (or should) in our elections - they must be Americans. India, while in large part a backwards country, has some very good manufacturing infrastructure and is producing tractors for a major (green?) company.

I would also EXCLUDE anything from France. Who wants a tractor with uncomfortable seats and bad brakes?

\\jb

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Lots of opinions being posted. For me, brand and color aren't near the top. There are a lot of tractors that are decent and reliable. I don't try and keep up with the Jones's nor try and inpress others but what I have. I won't pay a preminum just to get a particular brand. I'll decide what I need the tractor for, look at several brands that can fulfill that need and look to what owners are saying about their models in forum like this.

Personally I don't need dealer service but I do need parts support from time to time. I do consider local parts availability. I also give weight to how I'm treated when I'm looking to make a purchase. Sometimes long term local availability of parts is in conflict with how the local dealer treats customers or at least me.

I'm not of the belief that if I buy one of the top tier, old line makes, that I can assume there will be support 15-20 or more yrs down the road for any model with their name on it.

All the makes Gary Cowell mentioned as top tier have offered models made by those 2nd, 3rd, tier mfgrs he wouldn't touch. They are a contract build and the big boys may or may not be buying from that suppler in a few yrs. What assurance do we have there will be support beyond the min number of yrs the law requires? We don't! We know Yanmar has built a large number of models for JD for over 2 decades but that long term relationship is waining and now Yanmar is associated with Cub. Mitsibushi has been mentioned as building models for Cubs some time back and now Mits builts the smaller model Mahindra's. Any one want to bet on long term support for those models being built by an outside Co who are now being associated with a differnt Co today?

Be careful of making assumptions on LT support just because there is a Major Mfgrs name of a product.

YMMV