When Buying a New Tractor

[ff1221]

When I bought both my tractors, it was the way the dealer worked with me that got me to buy it, then came the price, also having a family that has owned Massey tractors since the fifties, that may have swayed me a little on the first one.My massey dealer wasn't real great on the service end in the beginning, but seems to be better since the second tractor I bought is Green.

 

[shawn1533]

I just bought a new 1533 this summer. The most important part in the decision was reliability reports and what information I can find on the internet. The second was price. And finally I would say comfort. I am average built and can fit on most everything but my wife is really small. For example she is so light she has problems pressing the clutch and brake while keeping her rear end in the seat and the safety switch on. (She eventually figured it out). From my recollection there was only one tractor I did not like because of the comfort but I also had other issues with the brand.

The dealer is a problem for me. The closest dealer is 40 50 min in either direction therefore I just looked for the best price. Because my wife and I both look a lot younger than someone our age, we usually do not get taken serious from anyone. I was close to buying a green tractor on the spot but the sales man walked away from me to an older looking man who was just kicking tires. I told him I was no longer interested after waiting for him to return and went to a MF dealer. I am now glad I went with red.

1 Reliability
2 Price
3 Comfort
4 Dealer

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I just bought a pair of Massey FErguson 583's for my mowing business. Here's how my decision process went;

1st. Pick available models from ALL brands that are with-in specs of what I need.

2nd. Eliminate brands/models where I don't have dealer support/service support I'll be expecting. Along with that, eliminate brands I just don't get that "warm, fuzzy feeling" about.

3rd. COST

4th. Individual dealers who'll be in the running.

5th. Final decision was down to 3 brands, 5 seperate models with-in those 3. One brand (2 models) were eliminated due to dealer refusing to budge off list price even though they had the chance to sell TWO tractors at once. Final pick between competing brands was made by "gut instinct", as prices were almost identical and dealers BOTH were willing to bend over backwards to make the deal.

Delivery date is about 3 weeks away!

 

[jarbill]

I agree with CHH on this question. IMHO, the brand becomes real important when it comes to how the company backs their dealers when problems crop up, i.e. hydraulic problems, FEL problems, or whatever.

Jerry in Texas

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I agree with CHH on this question. IMHO, the brand becomes real important when it comes to how the company backs their dealers when problems crop up, i.e. hydraulic problems, FEL problems, or whatever.

Jerry in Texas

A good dealer will help you regardless of the brand. Brand is less important to me as what good is having a great brand if the dealer refuses to help you. The tractor breaks down under warranty and the dealer gives you a bill still. Then you have headaches from fighting with the dealer over a warranty issue. Go with a great dealer and you will be happy 99% of the time.

 

[wdscot]

Dealer knowledge and helpfulness, quality, specs (as compared to competition), and price. My buy decision came down to MF or Kioti. I was more impressed by Kioti, but the dealer was several hundred miles away. The MF dealer was 30 miles away and offered several suggestions that saved me money on attachments. I just finished my first service level with the MF dealer and he came to pick up and delivered my tractor. He has seen my property and knows my challenges. He is available for common sense advice, based on experience and a desire to help his customers. He also made some custom modifications to add a tool box tray and built me a middle sod buster. This would have been more difficult from a dealer further away. And to be honest, in my part of the country, it is still better to have an American sounding brand, then Asian. I hope this input helps and AGCO keeps it's interest level in the compact tractor market and continuously improves it's products. Regards, WayneD

 

[WilliamBos]

I just bought a pair of Massey FErguson 583's for my mowing business. Here's how my decision process went;

1st. Pick available models from ALL brands that are with-in specs of what I need.

2nd. Eliminate brands/models where I don't have dealer support/service support I'll be expecting. Along with that, eliminate brands I just don't get that "warm, fuzzy feeling" about.

3rd. COST

4th. Individual dealers who'll be in the running.

5th. Final decision was down to 3 brands, 5 seperate models with-in those 3. One brand (2 models) were eliminated due to dealer refusing to budge off list price even though they had the chance to sell TWO tractors at once. Final pick between competing brands was made by "gut instinct", as prices were almost identical and dealers BOTH were willing to bend over backwards to make the deal.

Delivery date is about 3 weeks away!

Congrats!!

FWA? Open station? Pics please when they arrive.

 

[philbuilt]

Availability, price, and a Sales person willing to listen to my needs.

 

[chh]

Because my wife and I both look a lot younger than someone our age, we usually do not get taken serious from anyone. I was close to buying a green tractor on the spot but the sales man walked away from me to an older looking man who was just kicking tires.

I had that problem all thru my 20's and 30's. Dealers wouldn't really take me seriously when I was shopping. Mid 40's and more than my share of gray have helped some,

 

[dragula]

Dealer was high on my list when I bought my 2310. I wanted a dealer that has been there for a long time and looks to be there for a long time to come.

The dealer played a big role for me too. I bought mine from a dealer who had been in business since 1950. I told the owner of the dealership that I was concerned because he was the closest dealer to me but he was still almost an hours drive. His response was "We've been in business since 1950 and aren't going anywhere". Just a few months later, they went out of business. Guess they were going somewhere after all.

I still don't regret buying my GC2310 though. If I had it to do over again, I'd still purchase a MF even knowing that the dealer was even further away.