When is a good time to buy???

[fbiwrench]

Help! In about two years I am planning to build on property I own in NW part of Michigan. I will need a tractor to mow approx 3 acres(hilly) grade and landscape and plow, blow or otherwise move snow. I started casually looking at used tractors a few months ago and found that most of whats out there to be OLD!! or priced so high that I might as well buy new. I am looking at 25 to 30 hp machines primarily for their size and weight (snow removal) and their ground clearance.

I am looking at NH Kubota and JD because I know there is local dealers in that area. There is also Cub dealer there but I'm really not impressed by them (just personal view). I like the TC 30 because of its price and size. The JD CUTs are nice, model airplane club I belong to has one, but a little pricey..(guess going Green takes Green$$)
Now I'm shopping Kubotas.

So my question is where do you think prices are going?? I figure interest rates will continue to rise and fuel costs will probably drive up wholesale costs and eventually retail.

Well thats the long way around the barn to get to this question, is it crazy to buy a tractor 2 years before have to have it or should I just keep shopping till then. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Enjoy the forum, great source of info...

fbiwrench

 

[rockyridgefarm]

The latest models from John Deere have actually gone down in price and offer more features as standard equipment. (and as an aside, pricing can vary wildly, between dealers and also with kickin' tires quotes vs. ready to buy...)

I felt like Kubota was similar, the B3030 sure gives a lot for a reasonable price.

So I can't say for ceertain that if you buy today you will be better off than if you waited. I think that if you can use it now and can justify buying it now you won't get hurt. These machines really hold their value. Or, at least they have till now!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="green"> I am looking at NH Kubota and JD </font>

I'm not sure where prices will go. First the sales seem to be slowing down a bit after some record sales years, so inventory is a bit higher than the manufacturers would like it to be. So right now (and for the next couple of months) there may be some incentives to move the inventory that is sitting on the floor.

Second, there are the effects of the oil prices (which will eventually increase the costs of plastic, rubber, etc) as well as the relatively high steel prices, as well as the clean up of the hurricane that could actually lead to locally increased sales of tractors as people begin to replace what they lost . . . all those factors lead me to believe the longer term pricing of tractors may be going up.

So I guess if it was me, I would look at buying in the near term if I was actively shopping. I doubt we will see lower prices, and I doubt the deals will continue for very long.

As for the tractor choices, I would look at a lighter weight tractor if your main jobs are mowing & snow removal. A light weight tractor is best for mowing. A light weight tractor is not the best choice for snow removal, but a lightweight tractor with a snowblower (either front mount-expensive-, or rear mount -less expensive-, will easily power through drifts and heavy snow if it is sized properly. JD's 4115, and 3120, as well as Kubota's B7610, B2630, B7800, or B3030 and New Holland's TC24DA (if you can still find one), TC26DA, TC29DA and TC30 are all nice machines and range from 24 to 30hp. All are great for mowing and snow blowing. The B7610 will be the lightest of all of them so if pushing snow is your choice it will lag behind the bigger & heavier units.

The tractors can be divided up into 2 groups (DELUXE and BASIC)

Deluxe tractors include:
JD 4115
JD 3120 (really nice!!!)
Kubota B2630
Kubota B3030
NH TC24DA, TC26DA (the 24 is being phased out and replaced by the 26)
NH TC29DA

The BASIC tractors include:
Kubota B7610
Kubota B7800
NH TC30

Generally you will find the tractors that cost more offer something to justify their price. Usually the operator platform is far better thought out making the tractor easier to operate. Other added features include things like suspension seats (on the larger models), position control, extendable lower links (larger models), standard mid-PTO, standard folding ROPS, easier to adjust sway bars, ratchet type lift rods, etc etc etc

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Just a little update to bob's (as usual) excellant post.

The Deere 4115 is being replaced by the 2520. The new machine will give you more for a lower price than the 4115. That is much appreciated since the other offerings are very competive in this range...

 

[LarryRB]

I've never had any luck trying to figure out "when to buy".. I always find out, to wait to save a dollar actually costs more because the price has increased, out of stock, or other problem.. Now, if I need something, like a tractor, I price shop first, look at dealers and other incidentals, and make the buy. This set up or theory may not work for everyone, it works great for me, and I no longer have to worry about increases or other problems

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Yeah, the price DROPS! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[andrewj]

oouple of thoughts:
Don't blow money today your widow may need tommorrow.
God stopped making land, but John Deere will NEVER stop making tractors - and you already got the land part covered.
Go borrow a friend's tractor and get it out of your system.

 

[BamaRob]

The best time to buy anything seems to be about 1-2 months after I make a purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'll wait and wait and wait just to see the prices creep up. Then, I'll decide that I need to move before the prices get any higher. Then about a month later, I'll hear an ad on the radio for the same item I bought for $$$'s cheaper! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Very frustrating!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The best time to buy anything seems to be about 1-2 months after I make a purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'll wait and wait and wait just to see the prices creep up. Then, I'll decide that I need to move before the prices get any higher. Then about a month later, I'll hear an ad on the radio for the same item I bought for $$$'s cheaper! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Very frustrating! )</font>

In the immortal words of Hank Hill "Uh YEP"!

Either the price goes down after I buy, OR a better model comes out at a lower price. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[fbiwrench]

Good ideas, I'll keep saving money, (payments I would be making), kicking tires and asking questions. When it comes time I need to have a tractor I make a decision I'll be happy with.

By the way has anyone seen a TC21 or TC24 or even a TC26? It seems dealers are carrying TZ18 or stepping up to TC29DA..

By the way say a prayer for us in SE TX, Rita's going to pay us a visit..

Thanks again! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif