Is it in a league by itself.

[MESSMAKER]

I have been lurking around for a while and am nearing tractor purchase. I am floored by the deals I am seeing on the Bobcat 225/230 with the free FEL. It is more tractor than I wanted but I can't find anything close to it in price. I have looked at the big 3 as well as Mahindra and MF. I don't have Kioti or Montana close. Is there anything I am missing The Bobcat dealer has a good reputation but the salesman is pretty weak, but I figure he is just a short term pain.I also am unsure as the best choice of tires. I will be doing mostly loader and tiller work( be in backyards quite a bit) with some use of a rotary cutter. I am thinking turf tires but see most are getting r4s.

 

[Dmace]

Being new to the marketing world of compact tractors, I think Bobcat is selling these tractors at minimal profits to get the line out there in the public eye. Eventually, I am sure they will be slightly above the Kioti counterpart in initial cost once the recognition is out there. Either way, it's a great deal and dollar for dollar you will not find another tractor with matching capacities, features, and warranty, period.

In case you weren't aware, the free loader promotion is only a cash sale and can not be combined with the 0% for 60 months financing. This does not mean you cannot get the financing through another company like Agri-credit and still get the free loader though.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I spoke to Agri-credit and looks like 6% or close. Not 0 %, but not bad and you still get the loader deal.

 

[chh]

I have been lurking around for a while and am nearing tractor purchase. I am floored by the deals I am seeing on the Bobcat 225/230 with the free FEL. It is more tractor than I wanted but I can't find anything close to it in price. I have looked at the big 3 as well as Mahindra and MF. I don't have Kioti or Montana close. Is there anything I am missing The Bobcat dealer has a good reputation but the salesman is pretty weak, but I figure he is just a short term pain.I also am unsure as the best choice of tires. I will be doing mostly loader and tiller work( be in backyards quite a bit) with some use of a rotary cutter. I am thinking turf tires but see most are getting r4s.

I'll probably stir up a hornets nest by saying this, but if you plan on doing a lot of tiller or dirt work go with the R1 (AG tires). If you are planning on a lot of FEL work the R4's (esp if they have a higher ply rating) might be better. Turf tires are really just for lawn mowing type applications.

 

[Bird]

I'll probably stir up a hornets nest by saying this, but if you plan on doing a lot of tiller or dirt work go with the R1 (AG tires). If you are planning on a lot of FEL work the R4's (esp if they have a higher ply rating) might be better. Turf tires are really just for lawn mowing type applications.

Yep, I'm sure many will disagree and that's certainly OK, but you have expressed my sentiments exactly. Now I'll admit I've never actually owned anything but R1 (Ag) tires. There was a time when I thought the R4s would be preferable, but I got over that. However, that's the reason they make different tires, for different opinions and/or uses.

 

[Dmace]

I had a chance to try a CK20 with Ag(R1) and Industrial (R4) tires at the dealer and feel the Ag tires are only useful in deep mud and loose farming fields. The R4's had a higher load rating, more plys, smoother on hard packed, less weight per square inch on the ground which means less ground torn up, and they add a lot more weight when loaded which is what I wanted. I snowblow my driveway uphill in reverse with loaded R4's and they have never got me stuck, I also have been through some pretty deep mud and while they don't clean out as well they do work good.

Ag and Turf tires are specialty tires that are only good in their special fields like farming with Ag's or mowing with Turfs. I feel the Industrial's are the best all-around tractor tires.