Comparison 450 hp: MTZ Kirovets K744 vs Versatile 450. Need advice !

[GarryfromSK]

Here is my dilemma, any comments / suggestions are welcome.

Time to get a new tractor, around 450 hp.
My policy over the years has been to buy a new (or almost new) tractor, and keep it for many years.
We feel that way we get best payoff in the long run.
Main considerations:
- Duals are ok, track option would be nice
- PTO
- 3 pt hitch is desirable
- Preferably no DEF.
- The simpler - the better. Need no electronics, except radio and Auto steering.

Green. Red and Blue are our of competition, simply based on current price tags.

It boils down to MTZ Kirovets K744 (sold in the past as Belarus) vs the Versatile 450.
Points to consider:
The K744 is priced significantly lower. With PTO and 3 pt hitch it's about 110,000$ less than Versatile.
Versatile 450 is full power shift, K744 is semi power shift, which would work for what we do.
Unknown resale value for K744, which is not critical if we keep the tractor for long time.
My dad had the previous K701 (Belarus 7010) for many years and was happy with it.
Not sure about parts availability, but K744 offers up to 5 years power train warranty.
Most neighbours have the Versatiles, and are happy with them.
Versatile is 450 hp, K744 is 428hp Mercedes engine. Weights are about the same.
I can add tracks later to the K744, not sure if the Versatile 450 would be upgradeable.

Any thoughts / suggestions ?
Any one with real life experience on either machine ?

 

[oosik]

Gary - with this being a compact/sub-compact tractor web site mainly - I doubt you will find many with experience on your size units.

However - welcome to TBN & the forum.

 

[GarryfromSK]

oosik - what would be a better forum to post my questions, where there are more fellows knowledgeable in larger size machinery ?

 

[oosik]

Well, I'm sure a web search would show more, but when I want to get info on ag tractors, I go here.

TractorForum.com

Mytractorforum.com

 

[Farmer495]

newagtalk has many larger cash crop farmers on it, although they are the traditonal green versus red crowd.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Times have changed. Our farmer here has a new Fendt with piles of computers. He believes it will have a fairly short lifespan due to this technology failing or becoming obsolete.

So if it were me, I would buy the one with the least (computer) technology, even if I liked the other one better, if I wanted to keep it a long time.

 

[GarryfromSK]

Times have changed. Our farmer here has a new Fendt with piles of computers. He believes it will have a fairly short lifespan due to this technology failing or becoming obsolete.

So if it were me, I would buy the one with the least (computer) technology, even if I liked the other one better, if I wanted to keep it a long time.

I'm leaning towards the same.
I believe the longer you can keep the tractor without spending much on maintenance, the better you are.
So K744 looks like much simpler, mechanical design tractor.

 

[mogwild]

I bought a Unimog off a Dutch dairy farmer with 3 Fendts. One had a huge LCD screen right above the joystick/trackball that controls all the functions. Display died, tractor was useless and of course the part was backordered (and VERY expensive) he loved the other two older Fendts but said the newer one was leaving as soon as it was repaired. I like the older mechanical stuff myself.

 

[Bavarian]

My experience from the trucking side: the Mercedes has a better fuel economy than the Cummins.

 

[kneedeep]

Go to Agtalk for farmer insights on tractors that big. You will get hands on respose about both units.
Word of advice, they sometimes get testy with first time posters. Search for threads about both tractors and reply to several before you make a post, get more response from the regulars.