Slip, sliding away......

[foggy1111]

This tractor thing is all about a hobby for me on my hunting land....I likely put 80 hours a year on the tractor. Still....I like nice stuff that works right.

After buying my land....I wasnt too sure about what I needed for a tractor.....so, I bought my 790 and 5' implements....and this size has worked out just fine.....maybe a little light and cramped....but not a bad choice for my first tractor. Now.....I really want a hydrostatic tranny and rear remotes for a hydraulic top link and a front grapple....and some other features (like a little room in the seat). It doesnt make sense to add it to this little tractor.....so a new or different tractor is in the cards for me.

After configuring and priceing a new 3320 with all the right stuff.....the price just seems prohibitively high. I can afford to buy this tractor ($24.900.)....BUT unfortunately.....I am kinda tight and practical too. I prefer the term "frugal".

So.....I have been weighing my options. I can find some good, low hour, used 3320's with the right stuff on em for under 20k....maybe a little less. But almost invariably they are going to have R4 tires on 'em....and I dont think I will be a happy camper with R4 tires. Swapping 'em out is only gonna put me in the new price range....so that's not an option.

So....IF....it comes down to a NEW tractor......those Bobcat guys have now got my attention.....as I can get a comparable (235) for about $16k.....and it has everything I want. Hydro, R1's, Loader, two hydraulic outlets, premium seat, lots of little "extras" on the deere, more weight, yadda yadda.

I would pay a small premium for the premium brand.....but 8 to 9k seems a little steep. I fear my practical side is gonna win this battle....as I want the "right" features and options. It's too bad.....cause I like green paint.

 

[beenthere]

You get what you pay for.

 

[foggy1111]

You get what you pay for.

Yep.....sorta what the JD dealer told me as I left his office and told him the price difference on the white paint. He said: "I dont even have a profit of $7000 on that tractor". I said "I hope not!!".

Now, I know he dont make that much on a unit....still....I still wonder why he would say that. :confused2: (geeesh)

IMHO....with comments like that....he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

 

[om21braz]

IMHO, patience - you'll find a nice used 3320/3520/3720 at a good price if you can wait....

 

[AKfish]

I think it's important to get "what you really want"! As hard as it would have been for me to walk away from the other 3320 for $16.9 - you were smart to recognize that you wouldn't be happy with the reverser and no additional SCV's.

I probably would've jumped on it... and been kicking myself later!

I agree with the other posts - be patient. You're trying to buy a new tractor during the "heat" of the sales season. If you can hold out til - say, late Oct or early Nov - you might see some movement by dealer's in your area as well as some good used machines becoming available.

AKfish

 

[JDL538]

I own a Kioti ck 30, I will put it up against a Deere any day.
Have owned Deere, Kubota,AC, And MF.


A lot of Deere owners think they are the best, most have never been on a Kioti or Bobcat. If You COMPARE the price of Kioti ck30 to comparable price on Deere the Tractor you get is more of a Lawnmower.
I did the comparison I know, it was a very easy decision, the best part is the Kioti is top Quality. I'm not saying Deere is not a good Tractor, I'm saying Kioti, Bobcat or better buys. JMO

 

[foggy1111]

I think it's important to get "what you really want"! As hard as it would have been for me to walk away from the other 3320 for $16.9 - you were smart to recognize that you wouldn't be happy with the reverser and no additional SCV's.

I probably would've jumped on it... and been kicking myself later!

I agree with the other posts - be patient. You're trying to buy a new tractor during the "heat" of the sales season. If you can hold out til - say, late Oct or early Nov - you might see some movement by dealer's in your area as well as some good used machines becoming available.

AKfish

Ya Know.....you are probably right about this. There is another tractor deal out there every day....and if anybody can find it...I can!! :laughing: I really dont have to make any kind of a deal.....as my 790 is getting it done very nicely. I put about 5 hours in the seat today...mowing my clover and opening up new trails with my cutter. Some of those limbs woulda been hard on the new paint.

That dealer just sorta rained on my new tractor parade.....but so it goes. A bit of patience is in order.....I keep learning what I really want and need as I go through the process.

I really like what Deere has to offer. Still.....It's hard to see how they can withstand the price competiton from a few of the other brands...as those guys have the right stuff too. 33% is a bit much to pay for loyalty....I don't care who you are.

 

[kennyd]

Don't rule out the older 4x00 (4300, 4400) and 4x10 (4310, 4410) tractors in your search. They are comparable to the 3x20 series and have a great history.

 

[bxowner]

Have you looked at the 3032e/3038e? It has the three things you mention a desire for... lots of room in the seat/footwell, hydro tranny and from what I've recently learned, rear remotes. The only three features it lacks that some people really want (but I question my need for): (1) removable loader, (2) cruise control and (3) split brakes. As I use a riding mower now, I've discovered I don't take off my loader... I've never used cruise except to fiddle around driving down my dirt road... and I really thought I'd "need" split brakes for clearing snow, but find the location on my current Kubota makes them unusable. When I sat on this model, I was impressed with the build quality for what many are calling an "economy tractor" - kind of the same experience I had when I sat/drove the 790/3005... hydro range lever with a detent, electric PTO, position control, etc. Just a thought if you're looking for new at a Bobcat price.

 

[ToadHill]

The Bobcat folks have been in the equipment business for a lot of years and my bet is that by now they know their stuff. If they are willing to buy tractors from Kioti and paint them white they must be sure that the product will not detract from their reputation for quality equipment.

By the way aren't those small Deere's rebaged Yanmays?

 

[beenthere]

The original Bobcat folks sold out. Not the same 'ol Bobcat anymore.

 

[AKfish]

The original Bobcat folks sold out. Not the same 'ol Bobcat anymore.

They've been IR (Ingersol-Rand) for about 10 years or so - haven't they? I think that IR has a pretty good rep in the construction business..

AKfish

 

[IH3444]

LS, McCormick, 16x16 trans, 2 rear remotes standard, sloped down FEL, QD bucket standard.....must I go on. Oh yea, and minimal electronic black boxs. Look at Tractorhouse.com CT50U comes to mine for the size you need.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I wonder how long the off brands will be parts available. Nothing like saveing five k, getting some brand there is no dealer for in your state, and looking to have a special part made in a machine shop. These owners can be proud as punch but it would never ease my conscious mind what I wanted or will buy. Not everyone rushed out to buy the " Smart " car either. In my opinion if its not a brand name with a local dealer it is money wasted.

 

[foggy1111]

I wonder how long the off brands will be parts available. Nothing like saveing five k, getting some brand there is no dealer for in your state, and looking to have a special part made in a machine shop. These owners can be proud as punch but it would never ease my conscious mind what I wanted or will buy. Not everyone rushed out to buy the " Smart " car either. In my opinion if its not a brand name with a local dealer it is money wasted.

I tend to agree with what is said here....but the folks at Bobcat just didnt fall off the back of the onion truck either. I dont really think you can call them an "off brand." They know the 'chinery biz and are pretty good at having parts availability on the stuff they sell. Same goes for Kioti...they have steadily improved thier product....and it can be favorably compared againt the big three. (Rebadge these products as Deeres and many would be braggin on 'em. )

Then too.....I cant imagine taking as big of hit on the Bobcat....selling is after say 5 years.....as I would take on the Deere product.

I my local, the JD dealers are,by and large,the best at parts and service. There is a Bobcat dealer some 50 miles away (my only real other option).....so the Bobcat is do-able too. But.... I have just come to trust the Deere brand and all things being equal I would pick Deere due to the history, parts and service, and resale value. (no problems re-selling good Deere stuff)

I priced the 3320 again today at another dealer.....same numbers. I just hate to pay 33% more for Deere.....and cannot justify it on the new stuff. I wish I could get to like Deeres economy tractors.....but they dont compare to the 20 series.... or the Bobcat at about the same prices. So at this point...its either a slightly used 3320 or a CT235 Bobcat for me.

(or a nice 4100, 4300, 4400 ....these numbers are hard to remember for me...but I will study em)

 

[IH3444]

I still like the Kioti DK45S very much, but it's being discontinued. Joe has a good point. Are you going to be able to get parts for these Korean machines 20-30 years from now? Definetely some food for thought.

 

[foggy1111]

I still like the Kioti DK45S very much, but it's being discontinued. Joe has a good point. Are you going to be able to get parts for these Korean machines 20-30 years from now? Definetely some food for thought.

Due to the time / value of money.....in twenty or thirty years.....the amount of money I save on the tractor will be worth more than enough to buy another new tractor of any color I chose. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!!

Of couse I may be dead...so what difference does it make? )

 

[greasemonkeyok]

What is the time value of money these days? Sure as heck isn't 10% APR as a lot of folks use as the default rate.

 

[foggy1111]

What is the time value of money these days? Sure as heck isn't 10% APR as a lot of folks use as the default rate.

That is a fair question (and one I wonder about allot these days). But even if you use 6% as the rate (using the rule of 72)....then twelve years become a double...and 24 years doubles again. Therefore: 7k (savings) is worth 28k in 24 years.

Now if we only knew what a k was worth in 24 years. lol :laughing:

 

[swines]

They've been IR (Ingersol-Rand) for about 10 years or so - haven't they? I think that IR has a pretty good rep in the construction business..

AKfish

IR sold Bobcat to Doosan Infracore, a South Korean equipment manufacturer on July 30, 2007. Could be why they've decided to sell another South Korean company's products...?

But, I'm sure you'll be comforted by the fact that at the time of the sale, Bobcat Americas president said, "...Bobcat's compact equipment will complement Doosans´ existing product line..."

Kinda makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn't it?