Larry- I am going to briefly tell you my tractor story in hopes it helps you understand how I got to the point of considering a New Holland 4WD tractor w/FEL purchase. With the exception of crawler tractors, my first tractor ownership experience was with an old Ford 8-N I inherited with my property purchase. I ended up restoring it so I got to know how "basic equipment" works. It was way to loose for me to use on our rolling terrain so it went by way of e-bay. I then simply started looking around at local new and used tractors. Deere attracted me because of the color and local dealer and name recognitiion. This was 5 years ago. After receiving major sticker shock, I went back to used and bought a used JD 870 (30HP?) compact with loader from a local landscaper. That was fine but I soon realized I needed more power. Sold it and bought a JD 1070 compact (40 HP) from a out-of-state dealer 3 years ago. I used MachineryLink or MachineFinder web sites for that purchase as I was specifically searching for that tractor. The JD dealer was great with all the pics and phone assistance possible. This tractor has been great but still slightly underpowered for my expanding needs as I started obtaining larger tillage and planting equipment. I have also relied on borrowed or rented larger ag equipment when needed. So now I am at the point where I have attended the Ag Expo in Tulare, CA the past several years, visited with my local tractor dealers, read local/regional advertising publications (for pricing), and spoke to other tractor owners. I also have researched the web site quite a bit. I have been growing hay here for 5 years and last year was my best year yet; however, my "sucess" is partially based on borowed equipment and growing experience/knowledge. This year I have better equipment and had more time for repairs/rebuild activities. Yet, I still want to upgrade the JD 1070 to something more powerful (which equates to time saving efficiency and expanded equipment capability). As I look at the used market, there has been nothing over 50HP 4WD with low hours and a FEL under $20K which places me in the new tractor venue. Since haying is my interest and much of my equipment is New Holland brand, I have established a good relationship with my New Holland dealer parts department. This originally got me interested in the larger boomer tractors. The recent Ag show got me re-directed to the TT-A series because I need something more powerful, not too fancy, with a loader at a price in the lower 20K range. That is where I am at today.
So my point is that I first became educated by trial and error (if you will) like so many of us on this web site. I then started watching the local print advertising with price and horse power being my primary consideration. I also have searched the web and even watched e-bay for pricing trends (although I think e-bay has become increasingly unreliable due to the tractor scams). Ag shows are great because folks attend in the same manner as auto shows, with many actually considering future purchase of something. County fairs in rural areas might be good because you will expose nubie folks with acerage to your products. I am even thinking you might put on occasional seminars to targeted acerage residents with topics like "tractor basics" to explain all the tractor stuff that is asked on this web site (Maybe you can obtain a mailing list sorted by geographic area and parcel size). Sort of take the mystery out of tractor operation/ownership and get people thinking about how much time and effort and money they will save by owning one of these great machines. You could even expand it to a Spring "family fun day" with bbq, etc. Getting people out to your lot, interested in the product, and thinking about the product is key. To me, the New Holland tractor line and pricing caught my attention and the folks at the ag show were by far more available, helpful, and informative (including pricing info) than the competition.
So my point is that I first became educated by trial and error (if you will) like so many of us on this web site. I then started watching the local print advertising with price and horse power being my primary consideration. I also have searched the web and even watched e-bay for pricing trends (although I think e-bay has become increasingly unreliable due to the tractor scams). Ag shows are great because folks attend in the same manner as auto shows, with many actually considering future purchase of something. County fairs in rural areas might be good because you will expose nubie folks with acerage to your products. I am even thinking you might put on occasional seminars to targeted acerage residents with topics like "tractor basics" to explain all the tractor stuff that is asked on this web site (Maybe you can obtain a mailing list sorted by geographic area and parcel size). Sort of take the mystery out of tractor operation/ownership and get people thinking about how much time and effort and money they will save by owning one of these great machines. You could even expand it to a Spring "family fun day" with bbq, etc. Getting people out to your lot, interested in the product, and thinking about the product is key. To me, the New Holland tractor line and pricing caught my attention and the folks at the ag show were by far more available, helpful, and informative (including pricing info) than the competition.
