Buying Advice Bobcat tractor's new "Orphan Brand" status.

[murphy1244]

Just the engine oil. Not the hydro or hydraulic at least yet.

You can get those online.

 

[krazsk]

You can get those online.

Murphy, you are correct of course, but it's only OEM hydraulic and hydrostatic filters, right? I've never found or heard of anyone finding aftermarkets for those.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I am lucky I read TBN. I naively thought for the last 3 1/2 years that my Bobcat tractor was a great tractor. It worked very well with almost no problems, nothing serious, was convenient and fun to operate. But I am lucky that I found out here that its junk and I should get rid of it to cut my losses. But could somebody explain the losses that I need to cut? Should I sell the tractor now at a fire sale so I don't have to sell it for a low price later? Another tractor that I use is a Farmall M, another orphan, my dad bought new in 1942 and we still use. Is 70 years too short of a time to not get screwed on an orphan tractor?

I don't see anyone suggesting that a current owner should sell. I'd only caution against someone choosing to buy one at this point.

 

[krazsk]

I guess that should not be a surprise, that the Boomer and Kubota dealer would caution someone about buying a Bobcat tractor. There's very little chance the $14000 they want for the Bobcat could be a better value than the $22,000 for the "similar" Boomer. :thumbsup:

 

[Jhrod]

O boy. I just ordered a ct 440 with loader for 4k less than the kioti dk40 I wanted plus 0% financing for 5 years. Should I panic.

All kidding aside I'll take my chances. It'll work for me just as we'll as any other color out there.

 

[k0ua]

O boy. I just ordered a ct 440 with loader for 4k less than the kioti dk40 I wanted plus 0% financing for 5 years. Should I panic.

All kidding aside I'll take my chances. It'll work for me just as we'll as any other color out there.

You can still run back to Kioti and get parts if you have to, and Bobcat will have parts for many years..

 

[MoKelly]

So, I am confused (not an unusual state for me). I just got the BobCatalog 2013 from my dealer. Its the 2013 Buyer's Guide. On page 54 they discuss Compact Tractors. This is a 2013 Catalog. Nowhere does it say Bobcat no longer makes these tractors. They list all the models (122, 225, 230, 235, 440, 445 and 450). They say "more than 400 Bobcat tractor dealers in North America provide sales, service and parts support, as well as training resources." They also say "Check out the Build & Quote tool to customize a Bobcat compact tractor, and get a quote from your local dealer". They also have apage showing all the cool attachments you can buy for the tractors.Seems rather weird (or unethical) for a company getting out of the business not to mention that fact anywhere?

MoKelly

 

[qed-cat225]

all I can say is looks like marketing and sales do not talk

 

[94BULLITT]

So, I am confused (not an unusual state for me). I just got the BobCatalog 2013 from my dealer. Its the 2013 Buyer's Guide. On page 54 they discuss Compact Tractors. This is a 2013 Catalog. Nowhere does it say Bobcat no longer makes these tractors. They list all the models (122, 225, 230, 235, 440, 445 and 450). They say "more than 400 Bobcat tractor dealers in North America provide sales, service and parts support, as well as training resources." They also say "Check out the Build & Quote tool to customize a Bobcat compact tractor, and get a quote from your local dealer". They also have apage showing all the cool attachments you can buy for the tractors.Seems rather weird (or unethical) for a company getting out of the business not to mention that fact anywhere?

MoKelly

They want to get rid of all of them. If they said we are no longer selling them they would have a hard time trying to sell them.

 

[IMCA38]

Interesting to me that Bobcat talks about "orphans".
Go to diggerdata.com and scroll through all of the "Bobcat" loaders made over the years.
There are ones with gas engines made by Kohler, Wisconsin, and Ford, diesels made by Perkins, Kubota, Deutz, and I believe they might have also had an Isuzu once.
As far as labeling, some were Melroe, some were Clark, and now I believe IR is on them someplace.
The original Bobcat was a red three wheeled affair, and they also had a six wheeled model and an articulated model too.
Does Bobcat give all of these strays the step child treatment as well?
I'm guessing not.
I certainly wouldn't worry about it.

 

[kjack1960]

Hi i sent you a private message on where i can get a CT 235 with loader for that price but then seen how to post on here

 

[Steve_Miller]

So, I am confused (not an unusual state for me). I just got the BobCatalog 2013 from my dealer. Its the 2013 Buyer's Guide. On page 54 they discuss Compact Tractors. This is a 2013 Catalog. Nowhere does it say Bobcat no longer makes these tractors. They list all the models (122, 225, 230, 235, 440, 445 and 450). They say "more than 400 Bobcat tractor dealers in North America provide sales, service and parts support, as well as training resources." They also say "Check out the Build & Quote tool to customize a Bobcat compact tractor, and get a quote from your local dealer". They also have apage showing all the cool attachments you can buy for the tractors.Seems rather weird (or unethical) for a company getting out of the business not to mention that fact anywhere?

MoKelly

My guess is the catalog was printed before the decision to drop the tractor line.

Steve

 

[abatis]

To add insult to injury I just received a letter announcing the closure of the nearest Bobcat dealer located in Missoula, MT. They cited hard economic times. They are part of a national firm. I really like the CT235 and hope it lasts without any warranty period issues.

 

[art]

This is not the first time in this industry to see a manufactuerer change directions and choose not to sell to a retailer or for a retailer to change manufactuerers!! Initially the resale value does drop and once it gets to base levels the value holds although it will not be as good as others. It does not change the quality of what you bought unless it might be the last through the door on the last day of production.

 

[krazsk]

To add insult to injury I just received a letter announcing the closure of the nearest Bobcat dealer located in Missoula, MT. They cited hard economic times. They are part of a national firm. I really like the CT235 and hope it lasts without any warranty period issues.

Don't youse guys in Montana always expect to drive 200-400 miles for anything?
Signed,
The Dakota Kid

 

[Dr_Zinj]

If you're dead set on selling it, do it asap. The longer you wait, the less you're going to get for it and the longer it will take to sell.

If you were a buyer, then I'd say you have a golden opportunity to get a beautiful tractor which is virtually identical to a Kioti CK30, with nearly complete parts and attachment interchangeability, at nearly half price. I'm fortunate as I have a Kioti dealer slightly closer than the Bobcat dealer that sold me my tractor.

 

[SABULA FARMER]

I could care less what any Kubota dealer told me. I like my Bobcat, its a Kioti... May not be orange, but that is better in my opinion. If you hate your tractor or have to sell it because of a biased Kubota dealer then do so, I think you should keep it and run it, she will last just as long as any Kubota out there.
I was in the same mind set as you when I first heard the news that bobcat was done selling tractors....no biggie, kioti is going strong, and I'm sure they will not back out like bobcat. Corporate America only cares about the dollars, not longevity.