FarmTrac Troubles

[smith mall]

Monday, will definitely be a good day.A day which decides the future of the historical long tractor legacy.
Looks like the korean tractors will have some chance.Indian tractors appear to be left out in the cold.
Well everyone has waited long enough,another three days

 

[redneckford]

So what becomes of all the tractors on Dealer Lots, from reading the Docs that "blue" posted, upside down I may add, got a head ache trying to read them---hit the print button and just turned the paper---there's hope yet?---They "Floor planned Tractors" and the incoming parts from Escorts are not included in the $10,000,000.00 bid----Does the Montana Bid cover the floor planned tractors????------you guys have got to get this worked out-----cause I want to go shrimping on Tax-----s new "BOAT"?????????? If LS Mtron is rewarded the bid will Montana still be able to deal unimpaired with Escorts of India???? What part does Carraro of Italy have in the new Escorts Deal---alot of restructuring going on in India???

 

[SESS]

Hey Red-The tractors on the dealers lots, are just that-on the dealers lots. ALL of those tractors are just sitting and waiting. Much like the dealers. The great Tex*** is pounding away every day trying to break us...literally. Monday might bring a new owner for the Farmtrac facility, but it will not do anything for the tractors on the dealers lots. That is still another issue we are trying to resolve.

 

[smith mall]

yes,I also printed the notes and read them.
Floor plan appears to be nowhere disussed.Montana may or may not be a part of the deal.I thing if LS does the deal Montana will have to think about its existence .
Yes Escorts parts are not a part of the deal but these have been coming for the last 6months but never reached.(think they have not even left for here)
I heard about some activity on the availability of Parts for utility tractors and there are big statements on the net for availability.I was given a fax no. for availability of Farmtrac parts.Contacted them and got about 70% of my requirement of parts .The no. is fax 516-538-0485.ph.516-538-0484.

 

[redneckford]

I thing if LS does the deal Montana will have to think about its existence .
.

Do not think for a minute that JB's crew will throw in the towel from a little bump in the road.THEY KNOW HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS BUSINESS CLIMATE!!!!! From trucking to cargo they have been in these ups and downs many times-----and they just got bigger!!!! Many foreign manufactures would love to have the Montana network selling their product---they may not admit that publicly. Heck I would not be surprised to see a new AMERICAN MADE product to come from this whole mess. What about a GM ,Ford or Dodge tractor they still make stuff----it just is not selling now!!! I believe that more consolidation will occur but brand name alone will not carry the day as the market is changing rapidly and PARTS AND SERVICE will again lead the sells effort!!!! Why do we expect a service job to pay so much less than a manufacturing job?? Those Lawnmower/Tractor mechanics will be making $30 to $40 per hour and Shop Labor rates will be in the $80 range and people will want to train for those type jobs again!!!! That is the business model of the future---Bet Montana has this already figured out ---do the rest of the MFG's?? Component Replacement not Repair-----Manufacturing of the future just the way is!!!!! Service driven not marketing driven!!!! It is still all about the profit---your pocket or mine!!!!

 

[smith mall]

JB's crew need not to throw in the towel.Problem is that the volumes are too low for comfort for them and with the manufacturer coming in they are heading for a showdown and in the process dealers will have confusion.

Parts and service should be the key,when???
Any idea if there have been any bids by the closing time???????

 

[Tim D]

Somebody plumb me up here a little. Why would LS Mtron want to buy this out anyway as they are already selling there tractors in this country under different names and colors? Could it be that they are wanting the distributorship for the Indian tractors. Just food for thought. Just more ramblings from a lunatic.

 

[redneckford]

Somebody plumb me up here a little. Why would LS Mtron want to buy this out anyway as they are already selling there tractors in this country under different names and colors? Could it be that they are wanting the distributorship for the Indian tractors. Just food for thought. Just more ramblings from a lunatic.

Control---Leverage!!! What if Montana went to building a Tractor of Their own in the USA Or getting tractors from an Indian supplier----where would that leave LS Mtron and their product???

Looks to me the bids where equal on the face---who wants to wait 10 years to get $1.5 million (Not Textron) knowing that the clean up cost will eat up all that plus some. Bet Montana gets the Bid on Monday!!!! For $8.6 million for assets no real estate!!!! The State/City will wined up with the property for taxes and they will have to deal with the environmental issues!!! Just a quess in this Poker Game. No one wants to hold'um!!!

 

[SESS]

The winning bidder also gets a plant that is completely equiped to build their own loaders-Montana doesnt have that, LS Cable and Escort did not have that either. That was the good thing about Farmtrac-they built their own loaders. $8.6 million is heck of a deal....too bad they won't have any dealers to stand behind the new buyer. That is my opinion and could be felt differently by other dealers. Don't get me wrong, I will be pleased that the deal goes through on Monday-FINALLY something will be happening. BUT that in no way changes the position that Farmtrac/Tex*** has put my dealership in. None of the $10 million will be sent to FLA to help me and none of the tractors I have will be taken off my lot like what should happen. So, only a small problem is resolved!
Escort parts are on the slow boat from India being powered by carrier pigeons! The parts are coming though!!!

 

[redneckford]

Alot of FarmTrac Dealers in this part of the US become Montana/Textron Dealers early on in this poker game. I would not be surprised to see alot of FarmTrac tractors repainted/redecaled Green and sold after all this plays out. From what is being reported in regards to the stock market you have more money than Textron if you have .02. Their golden boys have missed the hand in this poker game also. It is sad but it is only money. Yeah RIGHT! Heck maybe someone could get ahold of all those old Ford toolings and build a 2/3000 again in the USA! Many people still want to buy a tractor that will last a life time----the marketers don't like that but who cares about them RIGHT! Oups!! my third cousin on the fifth cousin side works in marketing---She may lose her job and house ---we can't have that now can we!

 

[Bser]

An American built tractor would be a major selling point.Perhaps updated 3600 series with Perkins power with Ford/Farmtrac parts compatibility on the rest of the tractor.A non-union plant with a work/quality control ethic. i'dlove to buy a tractor like that. With the Government willing to pour money down dryholes in detroit,they should be willing to bankroll this.

 

[Ryan300DTC]

Hello everyone,

I've been keeping tabs on the thread and I hope Monday shakes out in some positive way for the dealers and owners of the indian built tractors. From what I've read, anything positive would almost have to come from a sequence of events stemming from the actions after Monday. Whether it's LS or Montana helping the existing Farmtrac dealers out by picking them up as dealers, buying the floorplan tractors, providing parts support, or whatever. I don't even know what would be acceptable to any of you guys after the roller coaster you've already been subjected to. Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

I do have a couple of semi-technical questions regarding my Farmtrac 300 DTC if anyone would like to help a satisfied owner out.

The first is in regards to the colder weather coming . I've noticed that with the colder weather (40 Degrees F.) I am having to start my tractor 2-3 times before it will stay going(it stalls). When it is warmer out, I don't have this issue. I can only assume that it is due to the fact that the glow plugs aren't staying on long enough from the initial sequence to keep the tractor going when starting in the colder environment. The only way that I have found to keep from having to restart the tractor 2-3 times is to kind of cheat the glow plug timer. I do this by letting the glow plug sequence initially and then without starting the tractor I turn the key to the off position, wait around 15 seconds, and then sequence the glow plugs again. I do this for about 3 more cylces and then I start the tractor and it will stay running. My concern is that I am currently doing this when it is 40 degrees out. When it gets down to around 10 degrees, is this same cheat going to be as effective or am I going to be able to get the tractor started at all? Do any of you know any tricks for cold weather starting of this tractor (besides a block heater as I do not yet have electric in the shed where this tractor is stored)? From the research that I've done, I have seen no information on being able to modify this timer setting or a manual override to keep the glowplugs on other than the punitive action of keeping a cold engine cranked over until enough heat is present to support combustion.
Also, does anyone know the specific steps for replacing the instrument panel lens on this tractor (the previous owners left the tractor sit outside - the currently installed lens is cracked and cloudy)? I have a new lens, but I just thought I would ask the experts about any headaches that I may run into before I start tearing into things to replace it.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I do have a couple of semi-technical questions regarding my Farmtrac 300 DTC if anyone would like to help a satisfied owner out.

The first is in regards to the colder weather coming . I've noticed that with the colder weather (40 Degrees F.) I am having to start my tractor 2-3 times before it will stay going(it stalls). When it is warmer out, I don't have this issue. I can only assume that it is due to the fact that the glow plugs aren't staying on long enough from the initial sequence to keep the tractor going when starting in the colder environment. The only way that I have found to keep from having to restart the tractor 2-3 times is to kind of cheat the glow plug timer. I do this by letting the glow plug sequence initially and then without starting the tractor I turn the key to the off position, wait around 15 seconds, and then sequence the glow plugs again. I do this for about 3 more cylces and then I start the tractor and it will stay running. My concern is that I am currently doing this when it is 40 degrees out. When it gets down to around 10 degrees, is this same cheat going to be as effective or am I going to be able to get the tractor started at all? Do any of you know any tricks for cold weather starting of this tractor (besides a block heater as I do not yet have electric in the shed where this tractor is stored)? From the research that I've done, I have seen no information on being able to modify this timer setting or a manual override to keep the glowplugs on other than the punitive action of keeping a cold engine cranked over until enough heat is present to support combustion.
Also, does anyone know the specific steps for replacing the instrument panel lens on this tractor (the previous owners left the tractor sit outside - the currently installed lens is cracked and cloudy)? I have a new lens, but I just thought I would ask the experts about any headaches that I may run into before I start tearing into things to replace it.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Ryan

I start my twin brother montana in cold weather every winter to plow my drive when it snows. The glow plugs will come on with the PTO engaged, the clutch pushed in, and the key to the start position. I to do this about 3 times in 8 second interverals to make it start. The PTO being engaged keeps it from cranking. Hope this helps.

 

[hurliman]

Try using this old trick i used when selling Kioti tractors with a similar starting system. Don't push in the clutch, hold the switch all the way in the start position for a longer period of time. When you think it's ready to start push the clutch down and go. I'll bet it works.

 

[Ryan300DTC]

I start my twin brother montana in cold weather every winter to plow my drive when it snows. The glow plugs will come on with the PTO engaged, the clutch pushed in, and the key to the start position. I to do this about 3 times in 8 second interverals to make it start. The PTO being engaged keeps it from cranking. Hope this helps

------

Try using this old trick i used when selling Kioti tractors with a similar starting system. Don't push in the clutch, hold the switch all the way in the start position for a longer period of time. When you think it's ready to start push the clutch down and go. I'll bet it works.

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To Dallas_Lilly and Hurliman,

Thank you both for the excellent suggestions for cold weather starting. It is supposed to be get cold tomorrow night (around 20 degrees). That will be the perfect test to try it before I actually need it. I'll give it a shot tomorrow night.

Thanks again,

Ryan

 

[Tim D]

Any news as to what took place at the couthouse sale today?

 

[blueliner]

According to Edgecombe County clerk Crystal Brown, Montana Tractor won bidding with a $14.1 million offer.

FNA dealers are effectively screwed now.

Guess who floorplans Montana? Textron.

Guess who works for Texton on the Farmtrac acct?
The same guy who used to handle Textron's account for Montana: Kurt Schneck.

What a coincidence.

There's a pungent scent coming from Alpharetta, Ga. -- and it's not teen spirit.

More like rat.
--Ole Blue

 

[taxpayer]

Hey Blue, good to see you on here again,could it be that the smart guys have overplayed their hand with this move?under La. law, any purchaser of assets or stock of a defunct corporation becomes liable under the buy-back laws.the reciever could clain immunity because he had no funds, however Montana will have no such defense.Montana, unlike LS is a USA based company and reachable by US law.

However, this could be a very smart business move by Textron,Montana and possibly Escorts.Textron has resisted all efforts by dealers to sell tractors at discounted prices, I feel certain they realised if they did so it would hurt other floorplanned companies and cut revenue to textron from those sources.now that the tarboro facilities have been purchased, montana and thus textron have access to paint facilities, blue farmtrac LS models can be transformed into Green montana units.

if ( as I suspect) montana-textron cut a deal with escorts to pick up the escorts line, then a simple renaming and decaling would solve that problem.
if escorts wants to keep a part of the US market and sell product here, they would be foolish not to play ball.

it seems to me that by sueing farmtrac dealers, textron would be defeating it's own interests by allowing the tractors on dealers lots to be sold through sherriff"s sales at pennies on the dollar.this would certainly hurt the whole industry and indeed the very companies who are currently financing with textron.while textron may not be likeable, they are savvy businesswise.

it's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Taxpayer

 

[redneckford]

B---0---A----T R----I----D-----E !!!!!????

 

[smith mall]

One can think of many situations.Textron,Montana and Escorts together seems to be a great idea and a positive for Textron?????.
We should not forget LS ,They are big,I assume they were interested in coming direct.Where does it leave Montana??
In this situation with LS buying out Farmtrac the biggest looser was Textron because it had the floor plan of Montana covered and there was no way for Montana to continue at the pace it is continuing after LS came directly
I think Montana has bought this out and may want to wriggle out of the business by handing out everything to LS and this may be a bargaining tool.
Am i thinking too much ahead.
Would like comments ??