Buying Advice Cab or no cab?

[Rich_Z]

Certainly, as are all of us. Also our dealers make farm calls for minor work we don't want to do. Even my Branson dealer had a man bring a power steering hose up to replace a leaking one under warranty on site.
Why take a tractor back to a dealer if it's not necessary.

I would imagine that such dealers are quite rare, and most likely don't find out about them (and the opposite category) until AFTER the buying decision has already been made.

 

[arrow]

Sorry, seems kind of limiting to me to limit your choices of equipment based solely on the distance of the nearest dealer, regardless of brand. I do not share that philosophy. I want the best bang for my buck, with that "warm and fuzzy feeling" leading me to believe which one(s) will be most robust and reliable. If there were a study on which brands and models have proved to be most reliable and less likely to require warranty service, I would give such a study a LOT of weight in making a purchasing decision.

Which, in my opinion, forum based websites such as this are helpful in providing (hopefully) unbiased feedback and opinions. Will there be individual shining stars and bitter lemons in all brands? Probably. Does bad news travel faster and further than good news. Certainly. My friend tells me that he spoke to a tech at a tractor dealership dealing in several brand tractors. This tech told him that, by far, the most commonly seen tractors in that shop for repairs were Mahindras. The dealership we drove to the other day sells Kioti and Mahindra. ALL of the shop bays were filled with Mahindra tractors. No Kiotis in there at all. Circumstantial evidence? Certainly. They appeared to have more Mahindras for sale than Kiotis, so that could explain the ratio somewhat. But not totally, I would think.

But as I said, while I was there I did look at the Mahindras. And to me, and in my person opinion, they just looked cheesy and flimsy. Maybe it was just the particular models I was looking at. But an opinion is made up of individual data points rolled together to create an image. One thing I have learned for certain over the years is to not ignore my own "spider sense" opinions about such things.

Not to belittle anyone or any brand, but right here and right now, IMHO if it came to a choice of MY buying a Mahindra or MY buying nothing, I would choose nothing.

Am I opinionated? Certainly! And proud of it. No one with a real working brain can, nor should, be without them. I work hard at forming my opinions. But that being said, they are not hard set in concrete. There is always room for persuasive contrary facts and opinions that could change my opinion about anything.

And to bring this back on topic, from the data points accumulated from this thread, my OPINION is that I really SHOULD get a cabbed tractor. So everything else concerning a tractor I would consider buying has to be centered around that detail. Which, of course, may mean some compromises will be in order. But story of my life..............

Sorry to bust your bubble but l have seen Kubota bays filled in. Mahindra’s are some of the heaviest tractors in their class carrying higher than most lift capacity.
You can do all the research you want but it will mean next to nothing as it applies to what you buy.
You think you’re doing the right thing with “research” and if it gives you security then go for it. To be truthful l was much like you but have discovered whatever l thought was justifiable reasoning, really failed more times than being viable.
For you to say that you’d end up w nothing as opposed to owning a Mahindra does yourself a great disservice.
The Japanese made Mahindras have been exemplary in reliability. The Tyms second best and the older India made Mahindra being the most problematic.
The newer Mahindra will be entirely under Japanese (Mitsubishi) auspice.
I wish you blessings with whatever you end up with.

 

[Rich_Z]

Sorry to bust your bubble but l have seen Kubota bays filled in. Mahindra’s are some of the heaviest tractors in their class carrying higher than most lift capacity.
You can do all the research you want but it will mean next to nothing as it applies to what you buy.
You think you’re doing the right thing with “research” and if it gives you security then go for it. To be truthful l was much like you but have discovered whatever l thought was justifiable reasoning, really failed more times than being viable.
For you to say that you’d end up w nothing as opposed to owning a Mahindra does yourself a great disservice.
The Japanese made Mahindras have been exemplary in reliability. The Tyms second best and the older India made Mahindra being the most problematic.
The newer Mahindra will be entirely under Japanese (Mitsubishi) auspice.
I wish you blessings with whatever you end up with.

Interesting perspective concerning research, I have to say. I guess your experience differs greatly from mine. Sorry, but I just don't have a lot of faith in just flipping a coin or using arbitrary criteria to make major decisions for me.

But whatever floats your boat, I guess.

As for your comment about the differences between the India made and the Japanese made Mahindras, I will ask my friend the time frame of when he spoke to the service tech I mentioned above. You know, doing research and all.

 

[LouNY]

I would imagine that such dealers are quite rare, and most likely don't find out about them (and the opposite category) until AFTER the buying decision has already been made.

I would guess that depends on the type of dealership, is it an ag type dealership or a lawnmower type dealership. All of our local (40 mile radius) ag dealers have service trucks and do on farm repair and service. Much of the time it's easier and less expensive to do on site work instead of hauling one back and forth.
The lawnmower type dealerships don't seem to be as focused on service as the ag dealers do. In my area Deere has two distinct types of dealers our ag dealer(s) who have been bought out and placed under a large multi location dealer instead of local independent dealers and then we have a large "small" equipment dealer he is limited in what tractors and equipment he can get from Deere I don't know what the limit is but it's around 75 HP or so, the only larger tractors he has are from trades or auctions.

 

[jeff9366]

A grapple is definitely on the list of attachments I want to get.

Consider SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) 36" pallet forks in lieu of a grapple.

Definitely cheaper, less complex and lighter.

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[2manyrocks]

Fwiw, I own a mahindra 3525 which is made in India. Bull pinion seals appear to be leaking at 770 hours. Nearest dealer that sold it to me is 60 miles away. service dept too busy to answer phone. Doesnt return calls even after talking with the owner. the other mahindra dealer is also 60 miles away, but has mixed reviews. The entire bad experience of being ghosted by the dealer that sold me this tractor makes me not want to buy another Mahindra.

that being said, if you have a good dealer nearby, your experience could be different, but I would definitely give careful consideration to the dealer service department before buying. And having a dealer close at hand is much better than one 60 miles away.

 

[Williy]

I see where someone said visibility is bad in a cab however I can
see all 4 tires and the 3 pt hitch in my cab and with the temp in the
100's the a/c is great. Also I have a handle on the cab making it
very easy to enter and exit! Maybe said person is OLD & CRANKY???
I'm 83 with no problem with the cab and the BOSS said get a CAB!!!!!

willy

 

[tacticalturnip]

@Williy how did you just pop in this thread and not recommend OP check out Yanmar?!

 

[EddieWalker]

Between my cab tractor and my open station tractor, and with the temps in the low hundreds right now, the ability to climb off and on the open station tractor is more important then having AC for me while drilling post holes for my fence. Same with being able to see the auger when I back up to where I want to drill the hole. I have hay spears on both my cab tractor and my open station tractor. I use the open station tractor to put out hay bales because it's easier to climb off of the open station to open and close gates, and remove the net around the bale then dealing with the door of my cab tractor.

You have to decide what you are going to use the tractor for. If I'm going to be spending hours on the seat, and not getting on and off the tractor a lot, then the cab is the way to go. If you are doing stuff that requires a lot of moving around, getting off the tractor, and only driving it for short distances or periods of time, the cab becomes a hassle.

My cab tractor is a Massey Ferguson 4x4 70 hp 4707 Deluxe
My open station with a canopy tractor is a 2WD John Deere 5065E with 65 hp

Similar power, but very different in what they are best at doing.

 

[Rich_Z]

Fwiw, I own a mahindra 3525 which is made in India. Bull pinion seals appear to be leaking at 770 hours. Nearest dealer that sold it to me is 60 miles away. service dept too busy to answer phone. Doesnt return calls even after talking with the owner. the other mahindra dealer is also 60 miles away, but has mixed reviews. The entire bad experience of being ghosted by the dealer that sold me this tractor makes me not want to buy another Mahindra.

that being said, if you have a good dealer nearby, your experience could be different, but I would definitely give careful consideration to the dealer service department before buying. And having a dealer close at hand is much better than one 60 miles away.

Good advice, but rarely does anyone have an opportunity to check out the service aspects of the dealership until AFTER they have already made the purchase. Seems like most places are very quick to pick up the phone when it is someone calling the sales department, but the service line, well, not so much.

 

[2manyrocks]

Go in the service department. Look at the shop. Talk to the supervisor. You can pick up on a lot of information just being observant and talking with the guy running the shop.

If he doesn't have time for you, maybe that is an indication he won't have time for you when you actually need service.

 

[steve tym]

A big part of a tractor purchase is the dealer support.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Go in the service department. Look at the shop. Talk to the supervisor. You can pick up on a lot of information just being observant and talking with the guy running the shop.

If he doesn't have time for you, maybe that is an indication he won't have time for you when you actually need service.

This. Be suspect of any place that won't let you meet with the techs. I understand they might be busy, and I'd offer to cater to their schedule, but an outright refusal is a no-go from me.

 

[arrow]

Interesting perspective concerning research, I have to say. I guess your experience differs greatly from mine. Sorry, but I just don't have a lot of faith in just flipping a coin or using arbitrary criteria to make major decisions for me.

But whatever floats your boat, I guess.

As for your comment about the differences between the India made and the Japanese made Mahindras, I will ask my friend the time frame of when he spoke to the service tech I mentioned above. You know, doing research and all.

Being in the business for as long as I have and rubbing elbows with all the major dealers, has taught me a thing or two.
There is nothing arbitrary to tractor selection.
It is all about "criteria".
One of mine is "closest wins" and why do you think I came to that conclusion? And if you think that arbitrary, you'd be wrong.
Look, I'm trying to help you and make this as easy as possible.
My opinion is based on being in the business.
Some simply do not do "easy" as they feel it gives credence to their selection making it as complicated as possible. Makes them feel better about what they decide on no matter what it may be but you go your own route and as I said before, good luck.

I guess it would be very difficult for you to simply go to your nearest tractor dealer and sit on their stuff to see what fits you ergonomically and have years of trouble free service and enjoyment once purchased.
One cannot tell the future even with best laid plans and so on.

My well wishes to you and your wife.
I , as several here, have gone the route you now travel family wise.

 

[Rich_Z]

Being in the business for as long as I have and rubbing elbows with all the major dealers, has taught me a thing or two.
There is nothing arbitrary to tractor selection.
It is all about "criteria".
One of mine is "closest wins" and why do you think I came to that conclusion? And if you think that arbitrary, you'd be wrong.
Look, I'm trying to help you and make this as easy as possible.
My opinion is based on being in the business.
Some simply do not do "easy" as they feel it gives credence to their selection making it as complicated as possible. Makes them feel better about what they decide on no matter what it may be but you go your own route and as I said before, good luck.

I guess it would be very difficult for you to simply go to your nearest tractor dealer and sit on their stuff to see what fits you ergonomically and have years of trouble free service and enjoyment once purchased.
One cannot tell the future even with best laid plans and so on.

My well wishes to you and your wife.
I , as several here, have gone the route you now travel family wise.

Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the help I am getting here. But if I recall the conversation correctly, you stated that "closest wins" was your ONLY criteria, not just one of several. That is what I stubbed my toe on and commented that this is not my way of logic and use of good sense. If that "closest wins only "were the case, all I would need to do is to look at a map, find the nearest tractor dealer, regardless of brand, and pick the one out of whatever they have that comes the closest to having whatever features and options I want, and take it home with me. Regardless of any other criteria. Including price, and regardless of my getting exactly what I really want.

At the very least with my research, I have seen many differences in options and what sort of bells and whistles may come as standard options or optional add-ons with further price tags attached to them. And so prices are all over the map, as are capabilities, which I think really need to be considered. But that is my opinion.

My SOP for stuff like this is to first figure out WHAT I want. Then find out WHO has it available. Then of those sources, who will offer the best deal and/or be what seems to be the best place to do business with. Not to say that step one may change as research uncovers criteria I didn't know about or think about beforehand. But I then just start the process all over again. Eventually I either get what I really want, or has happened in the past, I conclude that what I want does not exist, or just is not available for what I want to pay for it. Game over.

In any event, thank you for the well wishes. It is appreciated.

 

[Jrasband]

Never cab for me I like open station and spend to much time around trees, just give me a big canopy, that is all that is needed.

 

[jeff9366]

Is it a silly idea wanting to get a small tractor with a cab anyway? Suck it up, buttercup, face the elements and take the scars?

If you are retired why not tractor during just nice days? Then you can skip the cab.

Note that I live full time in Florida too, about 100 miles from Crawfordville/Tallahassee.

Today, July 31, 2023 the weather forecast is 74 degrees at dawn. Tractor from 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM, then quit for the day. You will be tired after four hours. In retirement there is always tomorrow......until there isn't........

I always wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and leather shoes on the tractor. I also consistently use aerosol combination insect repellent and sun screen. Too much mosquito spread equine encephalitis and West Nile virus where I live. Maybe malaria around Crawfordville.

I can never remember having a bee sting on the tractor EXCEPT WHEN MOWING.




If you intend to store your new tractor in a garage, note that the standard height for garage beam headers is 84". Research if your potential cab can pass under an 84" header. < Probably not. >


Getting to where doing minor clearing manually is no longer much fun.

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment is likely what you need. One of my favorite tractor tools.

YouTube VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ratchet+Rake+brush

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[arrow]

Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the help I am getting here. But if I recall the conversation correctly, you stated that "closest wins" was your ONLY criteria, not just one of several. That is what I stubbed my toe on and commented that this is not my way of logic and use of good sense. If that "closest wins only "were the case, all I would need to do is to look at a map, find the nearest tractor dealer, regardless of brand, and pick the one out of whatever they have that comes the closest to having whatever features and options I want, and take it home with me. Regardless of any other criteria. Including price, and regardless of my getting exactly what I really want.

At the very least with my research, I have seen many differences in options and what sort of bells and whistles may come as standard options or optional add-ons with further price tags attached to them. And so prices are all over the map, as are capabilities, which I think really need to be considered. But that is my opinion.

My SOP for stuff like this is to first figure out WHAT I want. Then find out WHO has it available. Then of those sources, who will offer the best deal and/or be what seems to be the best place to do business with. Not to say that step one may change as research uncovers criteria I didn't know about or think about beforehand. But I then just start the process all over again. Eventually I either get what I really want, or has happened in the past, I conclude that what I want does not exist, or just is not available for what I want to pay for it. Game over.

In any event, thank you for the well wishes. It is appreciated.

Here's why I say "closest wins" an how it incorporates a bunch of needs for the purchaser:
1. You want a cab and you should get a grapple. Many manufacturers and dealerships would provide that so it is not an "uncommon request". ..
2. If the dealership is close, that provides you large degree of convenience and not just for tractor servicing but also for any other stuff you may need fo your outdoor activities.
Most places just don't sell tractors. It's simply cheaper in the long run. The only thing that would sway me from this criteria would be if the dealer has a poor reputation. You can judge that by staying on the lot for 20 minutes and see how many return customers keep walking into the dealership.
My shop is in the boonies but we have a steady flow of customers all day long and yes, you can talk to our service ppl.
3. Wherever you go, pricing can always be negotiated. If you stay in control of the sale instead of allowing the dealership to control such, then you're the captain of your expenditure. Doesn't matter where you go if so with this attitude.
4. You will get used to whatever you buy. Running your tractor no matter what it is, will become like breathing to you. In the long run, it will not matter.

I know this statement I am about to make may seem like heresy to you. The fact of the matter is, the least important thing in this journey of yours is the "brand" of the tractor.
You can buy what you think is the best and have trouble. You can buy what you think is the worst (why would anyone do that?) and have years of trouble free service.
There is nothing set in stone about this and eventually, it all becomes very arbitrary.

You'll see down the line, everything I've said to you is on point.
I completely understand how implausible I sound to you and if I were you, I'd be just as skeptical.
I have simply seen and experienced stuff in this field that there is little reasoning to be had as a binding agent.

 

[Rich_Z]

Well, OK, I went to the closest tractor dealer to me. They sell the TYM brand. I went there before to look at their T25 model, which is a bit on the small size, but seemed like what I was looking for. The problem was that they offered it with a cab, but no AC. Fail. At the time, I wasn't interested in looking at their larger models that would have a cab with AC, so went elsewhere on a search.

During that time, I think I learned a lot here and from MANY YouTube videos I have watched. All that info went into the brain hopper and got churned around. What became most important on the list rose to the top. Definitely want a cab. Weight matters, so a heavier tractor would be better (for me) than a lighter one. Issue of AC with a 25 horsepower engine produced ambivalent answers. But obviously higher HP would be better than lower HP, just in case. Heavier weight and functional AC pushes towards higher HP than lower. Which means a larger tractor overall. And having a dealer closer rather than further away is apparently a worthy factor to consider. So with all of those ingredients mixed in my mind, I went back to the TYM dealer, who is about 20 minutes away from me, and took a long hard look at the other models they had on the lot. Honestly, they didn't have a big selection, but I found myself circling the T474 they had there quite a bit. Had nearly all of the features I wanted that typically come standard or at least readily available as options. I was leaning towards the Kioti brand, but after the salesman at that 1.5 hour away dealership seems to not want to talk to me any longer after I commented on the high price tag he is putting on 15 more horsepower, I guess he has more customers than he knows what to do with, and doesn't need my business.

I got a price on the TYM T474HC model from the local dealer, and honestly the price quite surprised me. VERY reasonable. I even checked with him to make sure he didn't quote a price on the non cab version or without the loader. Yep, that was the price.

So that is the way I am leaning now. Still want to do some research yet before pulling the trigger. Honestly, I ruled out a backhoe, because it just pushed the price way beyond what I really wanted to pay. But with the TYM, it just became feasible again. I just need to figure out if I REALLY want that option or not. But then again, wouldn't be the first time I have purchased a tool that I use rarely. But the nice thing about it is that when I NEED it, I HAVE it.

Thanks all for all of the input and advice. It was ALL very useful and helpful. Even if it seemed I was fighting against the tide.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Well, OK, I went to the closest tractor dealer to me. They sell the TYM brand. I went there before to look at their T25 model, which is a bit on the small size, but seemed like what I was looking for. The problem was that they offered it with a cab, but no AC. Fail. At the time, I wasn't interested in looking at their larger models that would have a cab with AC, so went elsewhere on a search.

During that time, I think I learned a lot here and from MANY YouTube videos I have watched. All that info went into the brain hopper and got churned around. What became most important on the list rose to the top. Definitely want a cab. Weight matters, so a heavier tractor would be better (for me) than a lighter one. Issue of AC with a 25 horsepower engine produced ambivalent answers. But obviously higher HP would be better than lower HP, just in case. Heavier weight and functional AC pushes towards higher HP than lower. Which means a larger tractor overall. And having a dealer closer rather than further away is apparently a worthy factor to consider. So with all of those ingredients mixed in my mind, I went back to the TYM dealer, who is about 20 minutes away from me, and took a long hard look at the other models they had on the lot. Honestly, they didn't have a big selection, but I found myself circling the T474 they had there quite a bit. Had nearly all of the features I wanted that typically come standard or at least readily available as options. I was leaning towards the Kioti brand, but after the salesman at that 1.5 hour away dealership seems to not want to talk to me any longer after I commented on the high price tag he is putting on 15 more horsepower, I guess he has more customers than he knows what to do with, and doesn't need my business.

I got a price on the TYM T474HC model from the local dealer, and honestly the price quite surprised me. VERY reasonable. I even checked with him to make sure he didn't quote a price on the non cab version or without the loader. Yep, that was the price.

So that is the way I am leaning now. Still want to do some research yet before pulling the trigger. Honestly, I ruled out a backhoe, because it just pushed the price way beyond what I really wanted to pay. But with the TYM, it just became feasible again. I just need to figure out if I REALLY want that option or not. But then again, wouldn't be the first time I have purchased a tool that I use rarely. But the nice thing about it is that when I NEED it, I HAVE it.

Thanks all for all of the input and advice. It was ALL very useful and helpful. Even if it seemed I was fighting against the tide.

Congratulations on your new machine.
I thought 50 was too big but when I bought, the 35 I wanted was still 6 months backordered. I' am glad I got the 50. I think you will be glad too. The only time I think the Bomer 50 is too big is when I try to use it in a building.