You guys are kind of tough on newbies... Hubby and I just started looking and we're trying to figure out what all the features are and what we should be looking for as well as whether to consider grey market vs. more prominent brands. Just this evening I learned a couple of things that I didn't even think of asking.... So now I guess I'll just lurk some more, since I'm a bit intimidated now. I'll definitely look for Goatman's old threads, though.
Which Brand should I buy?
- Thread starter To20Chris
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You guys are kind of tough on newbies... Hubby and I just started looking and we're trying to figure out what all the features are and what we should be looking for as well as whether to consider grey market vs. more prominent brands. )</font>
I think maybe you mistook some of the comments to mean that newbies shouldn't ask questions. That's really not the case at all. All I personally wish to see is that a poster has at least gone to some tractor websites and looked at the specs when they have an idea of what type and size they want.. The ones I mentioned that bother me are the ones who ask questions like, how many horsepower, and how big, and how much loader capacity a certain tractor has. Well, that's information that is on each brand's website, and why should ANYONE have to go look up those specs for someone who is interested, but not interested enough to at least find out this simple info and then ask what we think about whether this would be what they need. I hope this is clearer than what some of us have posted because we don't mean that we don't want questions asked, but that we don't have to do the basics for someone. Please don't just lurk. There's no need to be intimidated at all. We'll always help, even the ones who do what I said I wish they didn't! Welcome to the forum, and please continue to post your concerns and questions. John
I think maybe you mistook some of the comments to mean that newbies shouldn't ask questions. That's really not the case at all. All I personally wish to see is that a poster has at least gone to some tractor websites and looked at the specs when they have an idea of what type and size they want.. The ones I mentioned that bother me are the ones who ask questions like, how many horsepower, and how big, and how much loader capacity a certain tractor has. Well, that's information that is on each brand's website, and why should ANYONE have to go look up those specs for someone who is interested, but not interested enough to at least find out this simple info and then ask what we think about whether this would be what they need. I hope this is clearer than what some of us have posted because we don't mean that we don't want questions asked, but that we don't have to do the basics for someone. Please don't just lurk. There's no need to be intimidated at all. We'll always help, even the ones who do what I said I wish they didn't! Welcome to the forum, and please continue to post your concerns and questions. John
txdon
Super Star Member
Welcome to TBN, Crread. This being you first post, you might need a new thread. Lots of us are glad to help and were in your shoes just a year or twenty ago. To get the best possible advice from the person with the most knowledge or experience with land and tractor use in you area please fill out the profile as much as you feel comfortable with. Tell us how large your land is, what state or part of a state (or country) you are in and what you plan on doing with the tractor. That is the computer part of the equation. The next part will be field work where you go to the dealers and drive the models you have researched. Have fun! We all love helping newbies! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
at_obuk
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2004
- Messages
- 99
- Tractor
- BX23
Hey crread, don't let those old farts intimidate you. Believe me when push comes to shove they love to answer questions.
They have always helped me with my questions, some may be a little cynical, but I have for the most part found them to be very friendly and helpful.
Just think after 675,000 hours of seat time and 68 hundred thousand posts you too will be one of those old fart cynical posters.
Choose good, choose wise, choose orange!!
Lots of luck in what ever ya pick ta be your new toy!!!
Eric P.
They have always helped me with my questions, some may be a little cynical, but I have for the most part found them to be very friendly and helpful.
Just think after 675,000 hours of seat time and 68 hundred thousand posts you too will be one of those old fart cynical posters.
Choose good, choose wise, choose orange!!
Lots of luck in what ever ya pick ta be your new toy!!!
Eric P.
DiskDoctr
Platinum Member
Crread,
I lurked for quite some time first myself- feel free.
I found that after reading quite a few posts that this site and the folks who contribute to it earned my respect, and I found some areas where I could actually contribute. That lets me return the favor of knowledge and pass it along to the next newbie.
I also found that although some people get a little harsh, they are few and far between, and most people just ignore the comments and move on.
Please remember that it's hard to tell how people may interpret one's post when they can't hear your tone of voice or see your face, hence the emoticons /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif to help make sure jokes are taken as jokes and don't offend.
Hang around until you feel comfortable. Chances are good you'll find something you can use /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Once you get comfortable and if you find something you can contribute your knowledge or experience to help someone, jump right in!
And welcome to TBN!
-JC
I lurked for quite some time first myself- feel free.
I found that after reading quite a few posts that this site and the folks who contribute to it earned my respect, and I found some areas where I could actually contribute. That lets me return the favor of knowledge and pass it along to the next newbie.
I also found that although some people get a little harsh, they are few and far between, and most people just ignore the comments and move on.
Please remember that it's hard to tell how people may interpret one's post when they can't hear your tone of voice or see your face, hence the emoticons /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif to help make sure jokes are taken as jokes and don't offend.
Hang around until you feel comfortable. Chances are good you'll find something you can use /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Once you get comfortable and if you find something you can contribute your knowledge or experience to help someone, jump right in!
And welcome to TBN!
-JC
bandit67
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,610
- Location
- Lake Hartwell, SC
- Tractor
- 2012 B3000 HSDCC 2020 Z251 Zero Turn
ccread,
If you just lurk, but don't ask some of YOUR questions that haven't been asked or answered yet, then you're missing out on some of the valuable information available on this website. So feel free to post your questions, regardless of how trivial or stupid you may think they are - if you don't know the answer, then it's a good question.
Also, don't feel intimidated being a woman on a website visited mainly by men. I'm a member of a few other websites that are mostly "guy" websites, but any of the women that join in are always welcome - heck, one of the local "guy" websites was even started by a woman. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
So, if you've got questions, ask away! And welcome to TBN. It's been a big help to me so far. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
If you just lurk, but don't ask some of YOUR questions that haven't been asked or answered yet, then you're missing out on some of the valuable information available on this website. So feel free to post your questions, regardless of how trivial or stupid you may think they are - if you don't know the answer, then it's a good question.
Also, don't feel intimidated being a woman on a website visited mainly by men. I'm a member of a few other websites that are mostly "guy" websites, but any of the women that join in are always welcome - heck, one of the local "guy" websites was even started by a woman. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
So, if you've got questions, ask away! And welcome to TBN. It's been a big help to me so far. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
First I'd like to welcome you. Your husband can join in too.
Second, I would STRONGLY encourage you to fill out a fairly detailed profile of the land you have (or are trying to buy) and the intended uses for the tractor. As well as the region of the country you are in because that gives us a rough idea of your climate, and in some cases terrain and soil types.
Third, I would suggest you post your questions as specifically as you can, with a budget of what you can/are willing to spend because the folks here can really spend other people's money pretty fast if we have an unlimited amount to play with. I would also strongly suggest you post in that question if you are mechanically capable of fixing your new tractor (and have all the tools to do it because those will cost several $$$ too) because thost things will push recommendations in different directions.
Second, I would STRONGLY encourage you to fill out a fairly detailed profile of the land you have (or are trying to buy) and the intended uses for the tractor. As well as the region of the country you are in because that gives us a rough idea of your climate, and in some cases terrain and soil types.
Third, I would suggest you post your questions as specifically as you can, with a budget of what you can/are willing to spend because the folks here can really spend other people's money pretty fast if we have an unlimited amount to play with. I would also strongly suggest you post in that question if you are mechanically capable of fixing your new tractor (and have all the tools to do it because those will cost several $$$ too) because thost things will push recommendations in different directions.
Poncho
Gold Member
crread.... welcome to TBN /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I "lurked" for about 2 hours and then joined after seeing the content of the website.
Actually... I did think some of the posts was a little harsh on newbies. Let's face it.... buying a tractor is no where near like buying a car, which is proven by the comparison of sheer numbers. You've got consumer reports for cars and as far as I go... TBN is the CR for tractors. Everybody has to start somewhere and a website that offers personal "unbiased" advise is the best place. Sure... it's easy to go to a web site and look at specifications but to expect a newbie to be able to decipher them and figure what they need/want is really expecting too much. Running newbies off into lurk-land will eventually leave this site with old members bantering back and forth /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Actually... I did think some of the posts was a little harsh on newbies. Let's face it.... buying a tractor is no where near like buying a car, which is proven by the comparison of sheer numbers. You've got consumer reports for cars and as far as I go... TBN is the CR for tractors. Everybody has to start somewhere and a website that offers personal "unbiased" advise is the best place. Sure... it's easy to go to a web site and look at specifications but to expect a newbie to be able to decipher them and figure what they need/want is really expecting too much. Running newbies off into lurk-land will eventually leave this site with old members bantering back and forth /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Desertdog
New member
Just another perspective. I am an unabashed newbie and have already received some invaluable information. I am a long way (physically) from tractor dealers and this forum helps me eliminate some tractors brands... which saves me the time ergo money running to a dealer that will not have what I want. I have looked up specs at home pages, read all there is about grey market tractors, compared prices, compared loader and backhoe specs, spent days a TBN and other forums, scouted dealers, searched for dealers, emailed questions and now have begun to actually sit on tractors.
I can research forever and still not know if I am making the right decision until I actually work the machine and gain some EXPERIENCE.
This site provides anecdotal EXPERIENCE for the inexperienced ... and in my mind is invaluable. I am very thankful I found it.
I am certain I will not know if I made the right tractor decision until I have logged a good 40 hrs on it.
I can research forever and still not know if I am making the right decision until I actually work the machine and gain some EXPERIENCE.
This site provides anecdotal EXPERIENCE for the inexperienced ... and in my mind is invaluable. I am very thankful I found it.
I am certain I will not know if I made the right tractor decision until I have logged a good 40 hrs on it.
Varmintmist
Platinum Member
I gotta agree with desertdog. I am a new tractor buyer, not that new to equipment but my current tractor is 25+ years old. A lot of things can change in 25 years.
Spec sheets, give you what the company wants to push as its plusses.
Sit ons tell you if they built a seat that fits your butt.
Riding around the dealers lot lets you know how the engine sounds and if your arms can reach all of the handles.
When you are looking at similar machines they ALL will do the work. HOW WELL they do the work and why person A chose the purple one and person B chose the pink one and what they are using it for help narrow down the field. If I like the pink ones and person B says he loves his and uses it strictly for moving mulch and mowing, and the tractor was chugging when he was pulling a stump. THAT is a real life senario that I can apply to my purchase.
If the person A says he wouldnt skid logs with a purple one with 38 HP, I can take that and apply it to the fact that I have skidded/dragged with my 22HP 2wd and add that to the mix.
Once the info is in then I, as the buyer, need to shake it up and see what floats to the top.
In my case there is NO real price difference beyond a a few hundred bucks, that makes the field tight. If there was a 2K difference, then the purchase might be over.
Unless it really was in pink /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Spec sheets, give you what the company wants to push as its plusses.
Sit ons tell you if they built a seat that fits your butt.
Riding around the dealers lot lets you know how the engine sounds and if your arms can reach all of the handles.
When you are looking at similar machines they ALL will do the work. HOW WELL they do the work and why person A chose the purple one and person B chose the pink one and what they are using it for help narrow down the field. If I like the pink ones and person B says he loves his and uses it strictly for moving mulch and mowing, and the tractor was chugging when he was pulling a stump. THAT is a real life senario that I can apply to my purchase.
If the person A says he wouldnt skid logs with a purple one with 38 HP, I can take that and apply it to the fact that I have skidded/dragged with my 22HP 2wd and add that to the mix.
Once the info is in then I, as the buyer, need to shake it up and see what floats to the top.
In my case there is NO real price difference beyond a a few hundred bucks, that makes the field tight. If there was a 2K difference, then the purchase might be over.
Unless it really was in pink /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
