Buying Advice Are TYM tractors junk?

[Slowpoke Slim]

To be fair, not many options on the TYM. Most stuff you want is standard. Maybe a 3rd function and extra remotes (I think the 474 has only one set standard).

When I was tractor shopping, I was very surprised on just how much on the "big color" tractor was optional for more money.

I mean first of all, it was $20K more money up front. Then, Every. Single. Thing. had to be added for more money. I was only looking at cabbed tractors. "Big color" wanted more money for A/C in that cab, a radio, side mirrors, work lights front and rear (each was separate), (I forgot front and rear wipers AND washers were separate too), cruise control, and I think even the diff lock (can't remember for certain, it's been almost 7 years now). All that had to be added separate. Now it was $25K more.

All those things, plus 2 rear remotes, came STANDARD on my Branson.

Hey "Big Color" Tractor Inc.,

If you're going to charge $20K more for a comparable tractor, maybe you should start "throwing in" most of those things that just about everyone is going to want anyway?

Might help you keep more of your "market share" from slipping through your greedy fingers.

 

[Torvy]

On my 'small color?' tractor, I was happily surprised that I got some things like work lights and Bluetooth speakers for no extra charge.

I started out thinking 'big orange' as they have the nearest dealer and good reputation. I just couldn't spend 50% more for less tractor. I probably would have paid a wee bit more just for convenience of nearby dealership. The difference was insulting.

 

[Goose1776]

I would be hesitant to say any brand of tractor is junk…. After all.”one man’s junk, is another’s treasure” paraphrased….
But when I was shopping recently, I looked at every brand I could AGAIN, except JD, because the local dealership acted like they didn’t want my money before, on 3 separate occasions
so I’ll never be back.
Tym dealer had a bunch of tractors on the lot, and even some sales on some models..
Found it interesting that 2 brand new tractors had hydraulic oil leaks under them on the lot.
1 appeared to be a front axle seal,
1 was something in the middle of the tractor.
Yes I could see the oil coming from the actual tractor parked there.
These are brand new, on the lot machines.
That was a bit disconcerting

I then asked how warranties worked, and would the dealer provide me with a loaner tractor, if I had to have my tractor in for an extended period of time for warranty work.
Answer was no..
Asked the service manager about if I could get a different 3rd function valve set up, rather than the one that came with the factory tractor
He said
“they only install what TYM sends them, and didn’t know anything about WRLong, and there is no difference between a third function and a diverter valve”
He also said they could not modify the loader joystick to fit my physical needs.
Overall the dealership felt like a box store that sells tractors and lawnmowers.
So are TYM tractors junk,?
I don’t know, but the dealer I visited, did not inspire enough confidence in me to buy one.
I wish they had, I could have possibly saved lots of cash
I spent the extra $$ and bought a different brand, that the dealer accommodated my needs,
and IF, and that’s a big IF, my tractor is ever down for an extended time, I know they will bring me a loaner if needed.

 

[ruffdog]

I would be hesitant to say any brand of tractor is junk…. After all.”one man’s junk, is another’s treasure” paraphrased….
But when I was shopping recently, I looked at every brand I could AGAIN, except JD, because the local dealership acted like they didn’t want my money before, on 3 separate occasions
so I’ll never be back.
Tym dealer had a bunch of tractors on the lot, and even some sales on some models..
Found it interesting that 2 brand new tractors had hydraulic oil leaks under them on the lot.
1 appeared to be a front axle seal,
1 was something in the middle of the tractor.
Yes I could see the oil coming from the actual tractor parked there.
These are brand new, on the lot machines.
That was a bit disconcerting

I then asked how warranties worked, and would the dealer provide me with a loaner tractor, if I had to have my tractor in for an extended period of time for warranty work.
Answer was no..
Asked the service manager about if I could get a different 3rd function valve set up, rather than the one that came with the factory tractor
He said
“they only install what TYM sends them, and didn’t know anything about WRLong, and there is no difference between a third function and a diverter valve”
He also said they could not modify the loader joystick to fit my physical needs.
Overall the dealership felt like a box store that sells tractors and lawnmowers.
So are TYM tractors junk,?
I don’t know, but the dealer I visited, did not inspire enough confidence in me to buy one.
I wish they had, I could have possibly saved lots of cash
I spent the extra $$ and bought a different brand, that the dealer accommodated my needs,
and IF, and that’s a big IF, my tractor is ever down for an extended time, I know they will bring me a loaner if needed.

I find it interesting that dealers don't take the time to repair new tractors they are trying to peddle. It sounds like the manufacturer doesn't care and the dealer doesn't care. Why do people think that they will start caring AFTER you buy it?

 

[2manyrocks]

I looked at the Branson/TYM dealer a few weeks ago. He said they would install a WR long third function if I wanted a third function which was puzzling because I thought the TYM function was just an extra valve added inside the existing control block plus adding the hydraulic lines.

He had a used unit in stock where he had installed the WR long out front on the loader cross member in a way that I thought was very exposed to damage from brush. Then there was also a bolt just laying on the ROPS bracket on the model I might have been interested in.

 

[rScotty]

I'm guessing the TYM is maybe $5,000 less than the retail price of the Kioti. That makes me wonder if there is $5,000 more markup in the Kioti because I would think their manufacturing costs would be similar?

What makes you think their manufacturing costs would be similar? In the manufacturing world, commodity parts and even materials for fabrication are priced by how much stress they can reliability resist. From wiring & connectors to alloy steel, more money buys more resistance to aging.
rScotty

 

[Rich_Z]

Another member has been shopping for a cab tractor. He was quoted $32-33K for a 48 hp TYM T474c (likely without any options) but quoted something like $42k for a 39.6hp Kioti cab with a third function and some options.

How much markup do dealers actually have?

Yeah, I can go sign on the dotted line right now for a TYM T474HC with a pallet fork and 3rd function, out the door for $34,33.40. I may add a second rear remote. Except for maybe a hydraulic top link, that is pretty much all I want in the base package. Attachments I want to add likely sooner than later will be a grapple and a flail mower.

I guess the Kioti salesman got offended when I told him I thought his price was too steep for the $6,500 difference between the 24.5 HP version and the 39.6 HP version. He has ceased communications with me. He did say he came to the tractor world from the automotive industry, so I am guessing an ex used car salesman.

 

[2manyrocks]

What makes you think their manufacturing costs would be similar? In the manufacturing world, commodity parts and even materials for fabrication are priced by how much stress they can reliability resist. From wiring & connectors to alloy steel, more money buys more resistance to aging.
rScotty

The opposite question could be asked as well. How are their manufacturing costs different? Is one made any better than the other?

 

[Torvy]

I looked at the Branson/TYM dealer a few weeks ago. He said they would install a WR long third function if I wanted a third function which was puzzling because I thought the TYM function was just an extra valve added inside the existing control block plus adding the hydraulic lines.

He had a used unit in stock where he had installed the WR long out front on the loader cross member in a way that I thought was very exposed to damage from brush. Then there was also a bolt just laying on the ROPS bracket on the model I might have been interested in.

My TYM dealer used the Long components because the kit was 100 cheaper than the OEM and that was what they were used to buying when they were Branson only. The labor was easier for them, both because the TYM needed less work and they knew the kit better. How much did that matter? Who knows?

 

[ruffdog]

The opposite question could be asked as well. How are their manufacturing costs different? Is one made any better than the other?

Sometimes, you really do get what you pay for.

 

[2manyrocks]

Yeah, I can go sign on the dotted line right now for a TYM T474HC with a pallet fork and 3rd function, out the door for $34,33.40. I may add a second rear remote. Except for maybe a hydraulic top link, that is pretty much all I want in the base package. Attachments I want to add likely sooner than later will be a grapple and a flail mower.

I guess the Kioti salesman got offended when I told him I thought his price was too steep for the $6,500 difference between the 24.5 HP version and the 39.6 HP version. He has ceased communications with me. He did say he came to the tractor world from the automotive industry, so I am guessing an ex used car salesman.

At the risk of repeating myself, in 2022 tractor dealers could sell more new tractors than they could get. The economy is beginning to show signs of slowing both due to the sales season and to a slowing economy, but I don't think tractor dealers are at the point of coming much off retail prices just yet.

My own experience with tractor salesman lately hasn't been that great, either. Some I wonder if they have any sales training at all. One dealer I know locally is from a new car sales background, and it's pretty obvious that he is a car sales professional now selling new tractors.

 

[2manyrocks]

My TYM dealer used the Long components because the kit was 100 cheaper than the OEM and that was what they were used to buying when they were Branson only. The labor was easier for them, both because the TYM needed less work and they knew the kit better. How much did that matter? Who knows?

I hope your dealer didn't mount the solenoid on the front cross member of the loader where any good sized stick could break it.

 

[2manyrocks]

Sometimes, you really do get what you pay for.

That's true, but how can you tell in advance before you spend your money when the tractors look a lot alike?

 

[rScotty]

The opposite question could be asked as well. How are their manufacturing costs different? Is one made any better than the other?

That's not the opposite question at all. Of course different products are made better than others. It's the basis for why there is a cost difference. We aren't talking features, we are talking basic quality.

Anyone who is involved in specifying manufacturing parts and processes will tell you the same thing. Better parts and raw materials cost more. Better processes cost more. Better people cost more. So the finished product costs more and for that additional cost the consurmer can expect it to do the same job longer and with less downtime.

As far as dealer markups I have no real knowledge. I would think that they would all be about the same percentage but that is just a pure guess.

rScotty

 

[rScotty]

That's true, but how can you tell in advance before you spend your money when the tractors look a lot alike?

Find a few people with a lot of mechanical experience and ask them for their opinion. Hint: you are more likely to find them back in the shop than on Utube, TBN, or on a sales floor.

 

[Spacegunjohn1340]

I have a tym t554 what a pice of crap it’s always having issues it has spent 7 months being repaired for different issues

 

[tacticalturnip]

I'm sorry you're stuck with a pile of disappointment. I just looked up your machine and there are always a few at my local TYM dealer; they look out of place next to the newer models, and I can't help but think they're the same machines every time. I wonder if these machines are TYM's red headed step-child?

 

[the old grind]

I looked up the member's thread about his TYM. The nightmare should happen to exactly no one! (not for the timid)

Problems with my tym tractor

 

[Whitbread]

I had my neighbors tym 474 in the shop last week to fix some broken loader bolts. As a cnc machinist and mechanical engineer, I'm VERY glad I bought a massey 1740m instead. It's like comparing an old harbor freight ratchet to a matco ratchet. Yes, they both do the same thing, but the amount of refinement between the components of the two is almost immeasurable.

 

[rScotty]

I had my neighbors tym 474 in the shop last week to fix some broken loader bolts. As a cnc machinist and mechanical engineer, I'm VERY glad I bought a massey 1740m instead. It's like comparing an old harbor freight ratchet to a matco ratchet. Yes, they both do the same thing, but the amount of refinement between the components of the two is almost immeasurable.

Nicely said and I completely agree. Starting as a field hand and mechanic's helper I went about as far as is possible in the mechanical trades myself. A good basic design is only the starting point. After that everything depends on refinement.

For examples, take a look at JD's horizontal twin, any single engine airplane, British motorcycles, petroleum products, metals and alloys.

We could go hog wild and add education, warfare, and laws to that list, but then we get into debates.
In mechanical things we can simply watch the steps as a manufacturer makes a good part better.

I wouldn't judge TYM too harshly until they have had time to improve.

rScotty