FarmTrac Troubles

[blueliner]

Shadow:

Welcome in. You've certainly found an interesting place to participate.

Don't be detered by RedNeckFord's external layer of jargon and cryptic talk; beneath the hood is a load of horsepower... and dude is just itching to hit the throttle.

Like SESS, I'm sure the blog readers are interested in what your ties to this site are. Are you a dealer? assembly line worker? end user of tractory products? exec? or simply know someone involved in the industry?

So what is it, partner?

Far as citing sources... I almost had to chuckle. Your suggestion was spoken like a true academian. I promise the prof won't bust you for failing for footnote and internal citations are acceptable since this is written during recess time!

Moreover, it's great for personal cred to cite sources and all (it's part of some of our occupations). I'm all for it. Same time... there aren't any prerequisites for being here -- or for the contributions that land on the blog. Dude... this is the wild, wild west of the Web.

Look forward to your contributions.

Welcome to Farmtrac-related wild blue of cyberspace.

Regards,
--b

 

[redneckford]

SESS,

The above post was made in a way to conform to the posting guidelines of the site. I could not mention names as that is viewed as personal attacks. I can assure you it is not directed toward any Farmtrac dealer or owner. Read it again with that knowledge. 2+2=4 regardless of who says it. 2+2=5 is not true no matter how much the advertiser/dealer paid to be on the site. I feel that if 2+2=5 is allowed to be said there is no logical reason to delete someone saying they are wrong. The advertisers/dealers that post should understand that they have engaged in an open conversation of their own free will and have opened themselves up to receive comments that they may not like to hear.

I am not aware of Redneckford ever degrading the quality of equipment. He has questioned management styles and ethics. Given the current state of the economy I would guess we all should have been questioning ethics of all companies a long time ago.

Thanks Shadow----But BUT---you better watch what you say and who you say it too----by defending what I say you may make a few of my millionaire "Friends" mad-----they play in the tractor business for a hobby --I guess???---- they sure don't seem to need the money----some golf---some fish---some make life heck for others----heck you don't even have to be a millionaire to do any of those ----it just makes a more favored status if you have a few million green backs----SOMETIMES!!!!!!! I will PM you a couple articles about Dealers that just pay cash FOR ALL THEIR INVENTORY!!!! Farm Magazines don't lie do they???

 

[taxpayer]

[I am not aware of Redneckford ever degrading the quality of equipment. He has questioned management styles and ethics. Given the current state of the economy I would guess we all should have been questioning ethics of all companies a long time ago. ]


Shadow, you are exactly right,we should have been questioning ethics in leadership at all levels in this country all along, but sometimes those with ethics fail to see unethical behavior in others until it is directed toward them.
Redneckford has not directed his comments toward the quality of anyone's products, but rather toward their behavior and in my opinion that is legitimate.we are not holding court here, we are having a discussion and when discussions are stifled anywhere, it is ussually because someone in power feels threatened.welcome aboard.

Taxpayer

 

[redneckford]

Hello, all!

Some potentially very good news. Two news sources verify that LS Mtron is on its way to the U.S. tractor market.

Lessiter Publications writes this story.

AgriMarketing.com has a similar take on the situation.

Or... just check out the info below.
Tex-tana can read it and weep in their Wheat(ween)ies.

Breaking News: LS Cable to Enter U.S. Market with Its Own Tractor Brand

Ag Equipment Intelligence learned January 21 that South Korean conglomerate LS Cable is directly entering the American market with its own brand and has already started signing up dealers on a limited basis. Until now, LS' presence in America was solely as a supplier, providing compact and utility tractors to the likes of Montana and McCormick.

In late November, LS Cable lost its bid to acquire the defunct Farmtrac North America in Tarboro, N.C., when Montana Tractors made a late $14.1 million offer that surprised many in the industry particularly after LS' lengthy due diligence and intentions to enter the U.S. market with a branded tractor of its own.

"We're putting things together right now for the new company," says Ron Grabowski, a tractor veteran with experience at Mahindra, TAFE, Montana and McCormick. Grabowski is one of four managers helping launch the LS Tractors brand in America. "An advantage we have over distributors is that LS owns the factory," says Grabowski. "That direct line to the factory provides the best communication for parts, service and warranty issues."

Despite the downturn in the American small tractor sales, Grabowski believes that the market is near its floor, and that the timing is now good for the company to be established as sales start to improve. "We're setting up a company that will provide good support for both dealers and their customers."

The company, which intends to hold dealer meetings starting in March, will be located in Tarboro, N.C.

--b

Tim C---Did LS Mtron have a display at Louisville this week??? Maybe they will get a Forum on TBN shortly!

 

[agequipt]

Not to answer for Tim

Ls was at Louisville. They had a 23 hp sub compact and loader. I talked to Mr Sim and he was excited to get things started.

 

[SESS]

I am excited to get it started too. Can't wait to see what plays out!

 

[blueliner]

I am excited to get it started too. Can't wait to see what plays out!

Me either, SESS.

I'm going Ruthian by pointing at a bleacher seat and making a longball prediction: Get ready to see the Tex-tana lots get stuffed with iron, see LS roll in, then watch throngs squeal and jump from the sinking green-n-black ship will be a predictable and interesting carnage.

Call it the Ti-tana?!

Rod and Kirk found the dingy and floated all the way to GA.

---b

 

[GreenWannabe]

At Louisville last week, I was somewhat surprised to see a number of familiar blue products sporting a "Montana Limited" nametag, both LS sourced and Escorts sourced. I picked up spec sheets on the 300DTC/360DTC, the 545/545DTC, and the 665/665DTC. Since Montana is now actively selling them, I hope they are going to provide parts support as well.

 

[redneckford]

Not to answer for Tim

Ls was at Louisville. They had a 23 hp sub compact and loader. I talked to Mr Sim and he was excited to get things started.

any pic's from Louisville of the LS tractor and loader----what about the "Montana Limited" is that a name for a train or a train wreck??????

 

[redneckford]

Me either, SESS.

I'm going Ruthian by pointing at a bleacher seat and making a longball prediction: Get ready to see the Tex-tana lots get stuffed with iron, see LS roll in, then watch throngs squeal and jump from the sinking green-n-black ship will be a predictable and interesting carnage.

Call it the Ti-tana?!

Rod and Kirk found the dingy and floated all the way to GA.

---b

yeap!! they all left----no one reading this thread anymore----just 189,722 views (nearly 1000 just today) as of today---reckon we need to send some of those non readers to another Forum where they will not let anyone post the truth----what are they AFRAID OF---I post there it gets DELETED----YOU post the same article here and it does not get deleted-----wonder if you got the same PM's that i got??? reckon they will UNDELETE MY POST OVER THERE or allow someonr else to post the truth????

 

[bdeboer]

At Louisville last week, I was somewhat surprised to see a number of familiar blue products sporting a "Montana Limited" nametag, both LS sourced and Escorts sourced.

A dealer had one of these at the Columbus Ohio Power show a couple of weeks ago. It looked like a decal over the Farmtrac.

 

[longtrman]

Wonder what this means for all the brands that sell LS tractors?

LSMtron has already sent us letters (and Montana dealers as well) stating that they will support the Montana dealers. Those ex-Farmtrac dealers who have met Mr. Sim (I have not met him) think that Mr. Sim is a square shooter and man of his word. I certainly wonder though if the LS entry into the US market may have had some bearing on Montana's quitting the TYM tractor and announcing the Larger LS tractors as new models.
longtrman

 

[longtrman]

At Louisville last week, I was somewhat surprised to see a number of familiar blue products sporting a "Montana Limited" nametag, both LS sourced and Escorts sourced.

A dealer had one of these at the Columbus Ohio Power show a couple of weeks ago. It looked like a decal over the Farmtrac.

Can you give any details? What kind of programs did he offer and did he have special prices? Did the tractor look like it would be a good buy?

 

[redneckford]

The total idea is that you will need the Farmtrac (escort) tractor and parts .They may make an arrangement to supply both.A lot of dealers will go with them and you will be in a minority.
Will see you and many other with Montana as after some time it will be business as usual

Say What!!!! Dreaming!!!!

 

[kevanos]

Here are a couple of the rebadged Farmtrac's at the National Farm Machinery Show, 2009...

Montana Limited 675 DTC

Montana Limited 3140 DT

 

[longtrman]

Yes on Jan 22 Montana is having a meeting in Raleigh-Durham with the "former Farmtrac" dealers to talk about Montana and their goals for the future and also to talk about the Farmtrac dealers signing on to become Montana dealers. For dealers that are not able to attend the meeting, Montana said that we will be given DVD's of the meeting. Other than that, not much is being said about it. Do not know what kind of turn out is expected. Not much info is being given out other than the location of the meeting which is scheduled to last about 3 hours.


PS: I cannot wait for LS Mtron to be here in the USA full time and open for business.....which will be very soon I am told!

Sess,
Have you received the promised DVD yet? If you have I'll assume that mine is lost in the mail.

 

[Dark shadow]

Bonus points if you can name the three people behind the roll bar on the 675DTC picture. Adding which companies they represent will get you a star on your report.

 

[longtrman]

Montana tractors had taken off well and they have had success with LS tractors.LS tractors coming directly leaves them with difficult choices which means difficult times for dealers dealing with Montana.The good news is that if LS wants to be a success it will have to take care of both Montana amd Farmtrac tractors manufatured by them.Maybe they work out a deal with Montana.who knows??
The dealers dealing in LS tractors have to weigh their options of which way to go.

When you said "Montana tractors have taken off well" did you mean "Montana tractors sold by professional dealers who did good customer service" have taken off well? The way it looks to me is that most of the tractors sent to beauty shops, tire shops, used car dealers etc. ultimately ended going to the professional dealers to be sold at discount. The Montana TM told me that Montana has closed over 100 dealers last year. His contention was that they were of the non-professional type and needed closing. LS is committed to supporting Montana and so Montana could well be in a position to succeed. The Montana CEO that wanted to cause Farmtrac trouble is now working for someone else. This CEO was of the idea that you could never have dealers too close. That was why you have so many Montana dealers closed out now.

 

[longtrman]

Kevanos,
Did they really do that good of job of dolling up that tired iron or is it just that it was a photo?

 

[Dark shadow]

"His contention was that they were of the non-professional type and needed closing."

He speaks in generalities that need closer inspection. Since Montana is a privately held company it takes substantial research to find the answer. Personally, the Montana dealers I know that have terminated are of differing quality and age. But be assured that several are long term, multiple franchise holders who will remain in business without Montana.