Tractor News Cabelas has tractors!!??

[Normal Bill]

It seems gimmicky to me. Something for the stock broker "outdoorsman" to take to his hunting lodge he just bought with his bonus.

I kind of thought that too. But they do look cool!

 

[GManBart]

It seems gimmicky to me. Something for the stock broker "outdoorsman" to take to his hunting lodge he just bought with his bonus.

It could be something like that, but I think it might turn out to be a pretty savvy move by Cabela's. It may have been the fact that it was one of the first warm days around here in quite some time, but the place was packed yesterday, and there was a constant stream of people checking out the tractors outside, and inside. Clearly, they're already making money selling boats and UTVs, so this isn't all that big a leap.

A side note about the Dundee, Michigan store is that they have an evil, evil donut and coffee trailer outside that sells the most amazing cider donuts you can imagine! You can smell them from across the parking lot, and they nearly force you to buy one (only $1). They make them fresh, and they're hot when you get them....like I said, evil! Now if they could make those tractors smell like the donuts....

It seems like more and more people are starting to see the value in having a compact tractor around, and some of that could be the fact that they're more user-friendly than they used to be. A big shot executive with a hunting camp may not have ever thought about running an older tractor, but the new machines are pretty easy to run, and now those folks are buying them.

One way or other, it'll be interesting to watch. I'm wondering how long before they get their own forum sub-section here :laughing:

 

[Baby Grand]

The CT Cabelas has an evil donut man, too. I managed to walk past him on the way into the store without stopping. While inside the store, I could smell the donut aroma coming in through the HVAC. Temptation was too much for me and I got in my car with a dozen warm ones in a bag. Had a few left when I pulled in my driveway. Doh!

While I was there, I noticed a bunch of the tractors around the back of the building on funky, narrow steel wheels - wished I had a camera with me. They looked really bizarre-o.

 

[k0ua]

So when is Bass Pro Shops getting into the tractor business?

 

[94BULLITT]

I wonder how many they have sold?

 

[Wheresmy]

First post, so I'll give a little background. I've never owned a tractor but I'm now in the market. I need a tractor for residential use (.5 acre - snow blowing, mowing) as well as cabin use (10 acres - 8+ wooded, snow blowing, mowing, storm damage cleanup). I'd probably use it weekly at home and 2x a month at the cabin so I'll most likely buy a SCUT even though a CUT would work better in the woods. I'm in research mode and just recently started seeing the tractors in person.

I stopped by and looked at the LM35H on Friday. It was priced at $22,899 and comes with a free loader, though sales did seem like they were willing to negotiate. It's too big for my needs so I didn't pursue it further. I believe it's a rebadged TYM T353HST. I did learn that 4th quarter 2014 Cabelas will also be selling a smaller (25-29 HP) model and a larger (70 HP) model.

All in all the ergonomics were pleasing (nice seat feel, good loader control feel, plenty of room). Nothing felt cheap or flimsy. Standard features include a deluxe sun canopy, cruise control, rear work light, rear remote, 2 side view mirrors, and a vinyl adjustable suspension seat. The price is a little high considering you can get the same TYM model for less elsewhere, but there are more Cabelas in my area than TYM dealers so it's probably not a bad deal for either company. In the short time I was there, I noticed a lot of people looking at the tractors; people who are being exposed to a tractor sale that may have never considered purchasing a tractor previously.

 

[Cherokee140]

So when is Bass Pro Shops getting into the tractor business?

I doubt they will.

I worked at the KC store....was hired on before the floor was even installed in the building.

That place changed in a big way after the brothers got out of the day to day operation of the store. Now that it is a public company it is nothing like it was back then....shame too.

 

[GManBart]

I stopped by and looked at the LM35H on Friday. It was priced at $22,899 and comes with a free loader, though sales did seem like they were willing to negotiate.

First off, welcome!

To be competitive with similar offerings from other brands, I think they'd have to come down to something like $16-17K. I didn't think it was quite as nice as similar models from LS or Kioti, and you can get them in that size range for well under $20K.

 

[dave1949]

<snip>

In the short time I was there, I noticed a lot of people looking at the tractors; people who are being exposed to a tractor sale that may have never considered purchasing a tractor previously.

Welcome!

That's a point to consider. We probably tend to think that the market penetration for CUTs and SCUTs is fairly complete. Maybe Cabelas' market research shows that is not the case. There could be people out there with disposable income that "don't know they need" a tractor. :laughing:

 

[Depmandog]

Three years ago, I seriously considered a TYM tractor. The selling points - they were loaded with standard equipment that all other brands consider to be "options". From memory, creeper gears, draft control, tilt and cruise, quick attach bucket, extra remotes, etc, etc.

My only complaint - I am a big tall guy. The seat was too close to the wheel. Correctable problem, but would have taken a bit of fab work.

No doubt, save yourself some money and buy direct from TYM.

FYI - the Cabela's website has prices for the tractors and all accessories.

 

[kcflhrc]

Pretty smart for Cabela's to do this. Lots of foot traffic and money in and out of those doors. Cabela's is a publicly traded company and if I know anything at all working for a large corporation, it's all about share holder value. The more they can diversify the better chance they have to survive. Selling tractors and donuts is a very smart move on their part.

 

[Cherokee140]

Pretty smart for Cabela's to do this. Lots of foot traffic and money in and out of those doors. Cabela's is a publicly traded company and if I know anything at all working for a large corporation, it's all about share holder value. The more they can diversify the better chance they have to survive. Selling tractors and donuts is a very smart move on their part.

But getting away from what put them on the map could be a big mistake. A little like Sears selling Rolex....do the people going into sears are they really looking for that item...is that why you went to sears.

Add to that they cut the payroll. Such an easy to boost profits...cut payroll, now you can't find anyone in there to help you.

And I still have friends that work there.....they say it has gone down hill since I left.

 

[DeereMann]

We looked over the display tractors at the Rogers, MN store. Overall they were very nice except for the 3PH attachments. I think they had a snowblower on one. Anyway, the attachment did not look robust to us (me & my 2 boys).

I agree with comments about Cabela's not being as customer friendly since the brothers sold out to public/corporate. Seen this happen too often in the USA these days, unfortunately. :thumbdown:

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Nobody uses the search function at large dinner parties or picnics. You just wander around asking the same question of different people. Don't know why you would expect different behavior here. :laughing:

 

[Cherokee140]

Nobody uses the search function at large dinner parties or picnics. You just wander around asking the same question of different people. Don't know why you would expect different behavior here. :laughing:

Best part is when you start a new thread and get to talk to new and different people you get new and different answers.

If we used the search all the time, just close the board down....I would bet that everything has been talked about in one form or another except new equipment to the market.

 

[GManBart]

Looks like some of the peanut gallery got bored again...too bad they don't want to talk about :tractor:

Tractor Wikia has added Cabela's to their site:
Cabela's - Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki - The classic vehicle and machinery wiki

I could never get the previous job announcement link to work, but this link seems to be live. They must really be planning their own service:

Wildlife and Land Management (Compact Tractors) Sales Outfitters and Technicians at Cabela's in La Vista, Nebraska | CareerCast.com

If anybody is wondering why Cabela's might have gotten into this market, look at this article, and scroll down the the graph on "Dealership Total Revenues by Market Segment". A full 25% of tractor dealer's revenue comes from hobby farmers, or large land owners, and predicted growth of sales in 2014. Interesting read that mentions the Woods/Cabela's deal:

In This Issue: Winter 2014: Dealer Business Trends & Outlook - Rural Lifestyle Dealer

 

[Baby Grand]

Didn't LL Bean and Eddie Baur have Jeep models for a while?
I suspect Cabela's will do well with tractor sales - it's just a natural for hunters to want the ability to make their own food plots.
Surprisingly, I didn't see any cultipackers in my many visits to the CT store.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm wondering who is going to buy a Cabelas tractor. People will probably do a search online before they buy on and see threads on here and find out it is a TYM. Like everything else Cabelas sells the tractors are way over priced. I can't think of one good reason to buy one. If I wanted a green and camo TYM I would buy a TYM and have a vinyl wrap put on it.

Didn't LL Bean and Eddie Baur have Jeep models for a while?
I suspect Cabela's will do well with tractor sales - it's just a natural for hunters to want the ability to make their own food plots.
Surprisingly, I didn't see any cultipackers in my many visits to the CT store.

There were LL Bean Subarus, Eddie Baur Expeditions and F-150s, Cabelas Superduty Fords and Harley Ford trucks.

 

[GManBart]

I'm wondering who is going to buy a Cabelas tractor. People will probably do a search online before they buy on and see threads on here and find out it is a TYM.

I briefly mentioned his earlier, but a teenager and his dad were checking out the model inside, and the kid was looking up who makes them on his phone....exactly as you described. Dad said something like "just because the loader says Woods doesn't mean the rest was made here"...pretty smart.

People were also saying "oh, a free loader, that's great." Yeah, it's free, because they like you....lol.

I'm guessing it'll be the affluent guy with a hunting camp, more than anybody else, that actually buys from them.

 

[grsthegreat]

My local Cabela's just sent me a flyer on range management....its all about their tractor and implement line.They call it their wildlife and land management catalog.

i thought it funny. I go to Cabela's alot just to look around, but dont shop there much except for their bargain cave. I have purchased 2 handguns their from a buddy that works there....using their friends and family discount days. Otherwise i cant afford the place.