FarmTrac Troubles

[ToadHill]

When I worked for a while in the insurance industry the saying from the actuaries was " If you don't like my answer we can change the assumptions."

 

[TBDonnelly]

You would think a company doing business in the fiercely competitive compact tractor and diesel engine market would be doing all it could to develop new and innovative products to bring to market and to grow. Without new and better products a company will die a slow death. I'm not saying Daedong is on the road to death. But I like to see a company that is innovative, spending money to develop new products and growing.

It's apparent you're not familiar with Kioti's new offerings of recent years.

It would be in your best interest to do some research before jumping in with both feet.

Anywho, I did notice you're a new poster/member here at TBN. Welcome.

Have a cup of Greene Tea and chill out.

Don

 

[Tim D]

Went to Farmtrac dealer today to get his perspective on current situation. He stated that he smelled a rat in October of last year when he was getting the run a round on parts and warranty work for the 700 series tractors. Getting parts for these tractors was like pulling eye teeth without novacaine. He has not had problems with the Ford or Montana tractors yet and said that he would be able to keep these tractors going one way or another. He had also recently spoken to his former sales rep. who is no longer employed by Farmtrac and the rep. said that it looked as though Montana was going to acquire Farmtrac but he now believes that MTD may get it. He stated that we may know more details from the first to middle of March. It's a shame that this has to happen to good people like the dealer I have and to the people who put there faith in this company. Hope it works out.

 

[a blurr]

Ned,
You sound like the typical bean counter. Engineers are also good at making things look good or bad on paper but when it comes to the real thing sometimes it's just different. I guess most people are glad that Kubota did not listen to the bean counters. I know the dealer near us is! You must remember that Kioti has only been in the states for about 20 Years and they just became fully owned by the factory a few years ago.
As far as coming up with new product when did the "green" co. last come out with a new product of their own?? Maybe it was the Plough.

 

[Ned Farlinger]

Ned,
You sound like the typical bean counter. Engineers are also good at making things look good or bad on paper but when it comes to the real thing sometimes it's just different. I guess most people are glad that Kubota did not listen to the bean counters. I know the dealer near us is! You must remember that Kioti has only been in the states for about 20 Years and they just became fully owned by the factory a few years ago.
As far as coming up with new product when did the "green" co. last come out with a new product of their own?? Maybe it was the Plough.

You've got to be kidding:

John Deere - Press Center

And one of my favorites:

John Deere Utility Vehicle Wins 2008 Finovation Award

Please do a little research before you make a very uniformed statement as you did above, highlighted in Green.

I'm sorry, but your orange brand, while delivering some very good and heavy tractors to the compact tractor market is just not comparable in any way shape or form to JD OR Kubota. Anytime someone says anything regarding Kioti someone else says something like "well Kubota started like just like Kioti" or maybe "Kioti has been around 20 years in the USA and is the next Kubota". Kioti is not Kubota and very well may never be. They have been around this country for 20 years or so but many dealers keep coming and going. How much longer will that continue?

I'm not saying Daedong will perish, they seem to have found a niche and they have been here much longer than Montana, Farmtrac, TYM, etc... I'm also not saying they produce shoddy tractors, on the contrary the products look great and there are a lot of very happy customers and some very good dealers (Wallace) out there. Kioti will surely find a way to at least maintain their current market share and with new and innovative products and strong dealers the company may grow. But Kubota, AGCO, CNH, JD, even Mahindra will not standstill and wait on Kioti. There will be more new companies that will want to bring their tractors to the US market to test the waters as well. So, Kioti growing to any significant size in this country will be a very difficult task, perhaps impossible.

I'm not bashing a brand so please don't take it that way.

 

[a blurr]

Ned.
No one said you were bashing. I believe from when I worked at the "green" they were teamed with BRP for development of the utility vehicle you are talking about. That new design first apeared in 2003 or 04 if I remember correctly. That was the same time they also brought out their "new" ATV.

 

[HayDR]

There are 95 million head of cattle in the USA. Those cattle are not going away the must be fed and cared for. But this next statistic will show you why Mahindra has a sound target market philosophy. 50 million of those cattle are on farms of 125 acres or less and are also in herds of 50 cows or less. This means that most of these operators will have a hard time justifying a $60,000 tractor. These operators usually use utility tractors from 35-85 PTO HP. Mahindra is one of the dominate players in this segment. Mahindra's products are great values for this segment.

Farmtrac's products did not let them down but their management caused all the problems. Once Long MFG had over 60 dealers in KY & TN. What happened that all these dealers left Long? Just ask them. 25% are no longer in business so that means that leaves 75% are still selling tractors of some type.

Mahindra's dealer network has been going in the other direction of Farmtrac's dealer network for years. There are many reason why. Anyone that equates Mahindra with Farmtrac is mis-informed.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Need we be reminded that what we are talking about has been NORMAL in the tractor business for years, good market or bad. If your not buying a Kubota, Deere, CNH, or AGCO brand tractor I'd have to say your taking some level of risk. Farmtrac is not the first, and won't be the last. The last shake up was at Brandson just a few months ago. This happens all the time.

I think the financials of Deadong are very revealing. Without looking at a company on this level your never going to know what their real long term staying power is... reguardless of what you may think of their product. At this time, CNH and Deere are reporting record profits and sales growth. Its concerning if this young company is not keeping pace.

 

[a blurr]

CNH and JD record profit are because of the large AG Equipment. Got nothing to do with tractors.
(100Hp and below)

 

[TBDonnelly]

I think the financials of Deadong are very revealing. Without looking at a company on this level your never going to know what their real long term staying power is... reguardless of what you may think of their product. At this time, CNH and Deere are reporting record profits and sales growth. Its concerning if this young company is not keeping pace.

You've been attacking Kioti for years with your 'sky is falling' montra. Kioti just keeps putting their best foot forward with new well designed products. Looking at their farm show presence this year........Kioti is moving their act forward with BIG steps.

Don