Potential RK owner

[blacktruck]

Greetings all:
I am seriously in the market for a new tractor. I currently have a CC/Yanmar SC2450. After a lot of internet searching and a few dealer visits, I have narrowed it down to just a couple of brands with RK being one of them. I recently had the urge once again to fill out the build and price gizmo on their website. I fully expected them to get back to me fairly quickly. Not so I found out. I did get a call three weeks after I did the web thing asking for more info. I do like the tractors and the way they are equipped with standard features others charge for. The RK price is a few K$ less than a couple of high end brands. Here's the deal. I am really in the market and wanting to buy but hesitant due to some things I see making me question their (RK) commitment to the subcompact tractor or even the compact or regular tractor market. Anybody else having these concerns? The CC/Yanmar I have has been good but when I bought it, little did I know that in less than two years it would be an orphan brand. I've had little need for dealer service or parts which has been good but for the one problem I had, it was then I realized how much of an orphan it is.

 

[WM75Guy]

I think you are swapping one orphan for another. There is not an RK tractor store anywhere close to you, closest would be Missouri or Florida. While the RK tractors are built by TYM to RK specs, they are sold as a RK brand tractor. The warranty is through RK only, service is only done at the RK stores that sell tractors. TYM does not do any warranty work for RK.

 

[blacktruck]

I think you are swapping one orphan for another. There is not an RK tractor store anywhere close to you, closest would be Missouri or Florida. While the RK tractors are built by TYM to RK specs, they are sold as a RK brand tractor. The warranty is through RK only, service is only done at the RK stores that sell tractors. TYM does not do any warranty work for RK.

Precisely what I am thinking as much as I hate to say that. I like the features and options they have but that only goes so far. The subcompact tractor market is a fickle thing on good days, in times of business corrections and changes, the marketing and sales of a tractor not being their core business would be an easy one to divest of to save cash. I have only needed a dealer one time with my current tractor but that has proven to be very frustrating and time consuming. The warranty(not so much)/service work is proving to be a major issue I have with it. The CC dealers do not service it, the Yanmar dealers are only marginally better. The entire tractor is Yanmar built but they are hands off when it comes to service or repairs.

 

[fried1765]

I think you are swapping one orphan for another. There is not an RK tractor store anywhere close to you, closest would be Missouri or Florida. While the RK tractors are built by TYM to RK specs, they are sold as a RK brand tractor. The warranty is through RK only, service is only done at the RK stores that sell tractors. TYM does not do any warranty work for RK.

DITTO !!!!!

 

[sengli]

I recently just bought a new RK55, and so far its a winner. But I have two RK stores withing 50 miles of me, so hopefully I will in good shape if I need something.

 

[blacktruck]

I recently just bought a new RK55, and so far its a winner. But I have two RK stores withing 50 miles of me, so hopefully I will in good shape if I need something.

I hope the 55 is as good as it looks. The lack of stores is an issue. Right now my fears of having another orphan brand is my greatest concern. My CC/Yanmar has been pretty good but this last few months of trying to get repairs or parts has been a patience trying experience. There are far worse things than having an orphan brand but if I can avoid it I will.