Help me decide

[Anonymous Poster]

I promise no more questions until after I put a deposit on one of the following-

Need to take care of 11 acres flat, 6 horses, mowing and brushhogging....

Here are the choices:

JD 790- FEL model 419 61" HD bucket, LX5 rotary cutter w/ slip clutch, Ind. tire $14,900

AGCO ST30X- FEL model 44 54" bucket, Rhino SE5 rotary cutter sheer pin, Ind. tires $15,900

Century 2028- FEL model 30 61" bucket, Rhino SE5 rotary cutter sheer pin, Ind. tires $16,000

Kioti 3054- FEL model 1220 54" bucket, Rhino SE5 rotary cutter sheer pin, Ind. tires $16,500

Kubota L300DT- Kubota FEL 54", Rhino SE5 rotary cutter sheer pin, Ind. tires $16,900

This is the way I see it.

JD- great reputation, finacing and price is great but slim on features and lift capacity. Dealers everywhere but this deal was found 50 miles away.

AGCO- nice machine at a decent price with good financing much like the JD but a little more refined looking and better lift capacity nice local dealer

Century- with out a doubt the most features, heaviest and best lift capacity, reputation still growing dealer is 50 miles awy but seemed good

Kioti- strong machine with more features and power than all but Century, Kioti prices high here in the NE not as good as the midwest and south, dealer is the same as the Century. If I am going with one of the "other" machines seems like Century has it beat???

Kubota- nice no frills machine but they wnat 2K more than JD for slightly worse financing. It does have more lift capacity but for 2k doesn't seem worth it?

Price and finacing is important but not at the expense of a machine that I will be unhappy with. Originally JD quote of 16-17K had me looking elsewhere but this new quote seems pretty darn good??

Agco dealer was real nice but more than the JD????

Century is a lot of machine for he $$$... aww I AM confused! confused /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[popeye]

Biased opinion forthcoming:
Take a good look at that 790 then take a good look at the L3000DT (fit and finish etc.). Test drive em if you can and that goes for all of the ones you listed then compare the dealers. I did the same on the 990 and wound up with a Kubota (in the beginning I really wanted a Deere) I did notice that tractors with John Deere diesels in them looked a lot better. It would be better to ask any and all questions you have <font color="orange"> before </font> you put your deposit down. Most people on this board certainly won't mind and will in fact welcome them. Just my .02
Mike
Let the fur fly /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif and it will probably be mine!!!!!!

 

[frank_f15]

well at leat u have it down to 5 machines /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif most important question! WHICH ONE DID U LIKE BEST? and which dealer did u like best? i favor kubota, but have heard great things about kioti. sorry can't be more help, but you are really down to which one do u kike best? NOT WHICH DO WE LIKE.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I say go with the century. I have a 3045 and I am VERY happy with it. Go to other brands and look for the century review. I have over 35 hrs on it now and it is the best tractor for the money and the fel is top notch. I USE my tractor hard and this one will take hard use. ( I don't misuse just plow,disk,till,haul wood and fel sand)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Without regards to price I would say the Century had the most features and best specs. The Century/Kioti dealer seemed real nice but a 50 mile distance on the map that is really a 75 mile drive. Not a deal breaker but you have to consider it.

The Deere and Agco are very much similar in specs and features with Deere being 1K less in $$$ and 0 down but Agco has better rates % wise.

I was really thinking that I would order the Kioti 3054 on the spot before I saw the Century and it out-priced(slightly) and out-featured(again slightly) it. If I am not going to go with the "big" names I've got to admit Century looks like a lot of bang for the buck. ( Century wasn't even a consideration until I pulled into the driveway)

Same thing happened yesterday, I never thought of AGCO and on my way to the Kubota dealer I go past an AGCO dealer I never knew existed. I gotta start drivin' with blinders on!!!

Kubota I have no real logical reason for not wanting but it just didn't thrill me. Just one of those unexplainable things. I felt at the 14,900 price vs. 16,900 the JD was a better buy, with better financing.

Funny thing is I sometimes go out of my way to buy "off" brand merchandise when I feel that they are just as good. I think I like saving the money but the real reason is I don't want to be a zombie like slave to the brand and image thing.

SO how then is JD now is leading the pack?????? I really only went there to confirm my opinion that they were overpriced and the dealer beats my previous JD quote by 2000+ dollars. Now why did he have to make my life complicated? I was trying to eliminate choices /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As far as the finance issue it is nice to do it at the dealer but I can finace through other means but it just means one more party involved. Kind of like to do it at the dealer for simplification purposes. If I go with Century I will have to do the 3rd party thing.

So maybe I am making progress, Deere, Century or the dark horse AGCO

P.S. the wife likes green... however,I am not ruling JD out because of that /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DK35vince]

Some things I see the Century has over the JD 790 for the $1100 price differance.
Folding ROPS
Tilt wheel
12/12 syncro/shuttle transmission
Wet disc brakes
Rear light
Higher lift capacities
These features would make me lean towards Century(my opinion)I am not familiar with Agco.

 

[DavesTractor]

The Branson 10 series weighs over 1200 lbs more than the JD 790, plus has all the other features already mentioned above. For just mowing, the lighter tractor is a good way to go, but for most all other applications, the additional weight enhances lift capacity and adds to stability. The 790 is a good quality machine though, made by Yanmar, with a good reputation for durability.

 

[manganos]

I have a Kioti 3054 and am VERY happy with it. I'd pick the Kioti or Century/Branson.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

F350Lawman: Couple of issues I seldom see discussed:

1) Do you plan to keep this thing the rest of your life? If not, you ought to consider resale. If yes, you need to contemplate long term parts availability and similar issues.

2) Too often I suspect purchases are made on the basis of a few dollars price difference. $1k over a ten year life span is $100 per year. Over 20 years its $50 per year. That's nothing.

3) Try to look beyond the excitment of the initial purchase. Is the manufacturer going to be around 5, 10, 20 years from now? What was the company doing 50 years ago? Look at the "bigger" picture.

JEH

 

[stnickstoys]

F350
Hands down I would be moving the Century back near the top of the list. Especially since I see you are after a loader pkg. You really need to compare tractor features. The shuttle on the Century would be the cat's a_ _ for doing loader work. The tilt wheel and all of the other features more than make up for the grand difference you mentioned with the other brands. You need to go to your other dealers with the list of all of the Century features/conveniences,without telling them what brand your are comparing to and then talk prices. You aren't even comparing similar tractors at this point.
I just became a Century dealer for several reasons. I did the same comparisons you are doing. Price, features, add ons, other equipment etc. I was looking for a new tractor to offer along side my greys. The Century had all of the upscale features that I was looking for without breaking the bank. I can offer just as good of financing as the others, yes its a third party bank but their money spends the same as anyone elses, right? Just a difference in who you mail the monthly payment to. I'd get the list of goodies, then go talk to your "other" dealers. Don't just go in asking for the lowest price on a 30 hp tractor with loader and cutter. Start by saying that you are looking for a tractor with at least ___ hp, ___wt, 12 speed shuttle transmission, 2speed PTO, quick detach loader, tilt wheel, folding ROPS, etc etc. Then ask them which model that is and how much. You will then get the prices you should be comparing. I doubt many of the others will be close. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That should quickly sort the pile for you!
Happy tractoring, if I can answer any questions for you feel free to email
Nick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This will be a purchase for a lifetime I would think, but we have all said that before and changed our minds.

I think I see the logic of both sides of the arguement. The big name guys argue, reputation, ease of service, available parts, resale etc. The other side argues value, features, capacities, etc.

The problem is both sides are correct. The decision is just which are the important factors for me.

I like the ablity to practically walk to the Deere dealer for parts but I also loke the features of the Century or Kioti.

My wife who's living quarters horse trailer purchase got put on the back burner for "my" tractor purchase is very much in favor of the Deere.

I am really 50-50 so her vote swings it in the Deere direction. Haven't ordered ANY tractor yet but tomorrow morning someone is getting a call.

Whatever I get I don't think there is a mistake in the bunch so at least thta's good.

P.S. the kids like the red one but they don't have a vote /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

"The shuttle on the Century would be the cat's a_ _ for doing loader work. "

Actually Nick, having both a hydrostatic drive and a shuttle shift drive, that honor belongs to the HST. I really like shuttle shift, but man I love HST. For me it offers the ultimate in speed/quickness and smoothness. For my mowing needs, it is a must. For my loader work it is a incredible convenience. While at my local JD/Kubota dealer yesterday picking up some couplers I asked about how sales were going and if folks are finally convinced of the durability and convenince of HST. Oh yeah, it's almost all I sell was his reply. He sells to a lot of folks who like myself live on hilly terrain. I asked why his yard is so empty of new tractors. Its a combination of selling so many and not having nearly as many coming in as he would like. I mentioned just last week 2 semi's came in loaded with Kubotas, he said all sold, all gone. Man, business is good for him. The new L30's from Kubota are truely one of the nicest, smoothest tractors made. I only wish that in my search the last few months and even year I had the oppoutunity to try a few of the less known brands like Kioti and Century. What color are Centurys? I see a few marroon or dark purple tractors, would that be them? Anyway, good luck with the Century dealership and sell those HST's, folks will love them.

 

[dancce]

Aw, com-on Dad, the kids should get at least a partial vote---they can be pretty intuitive at times. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you can get the Century dealer to put a C50 loader on the tractor for a little more, I suspect it would swing your decision even more in favor of the Century. No one else has a loader for a compact that comes close.

dancce

 

[Anonymous Poster]

What about the JD4310? About the same list $

 

[Anonymous Poster]

F350Lawman,
You have me curious, why no mention of New Holland? I would have thought that a TC35 would have been in the running. I recently purchased a TC40D with a 16la loader, and a 758C backhoe. I absolutely love this machine, and would recommend a New Holland to anyone. Like you said earlier, all the tractors you listed are GREAT machines, just wondering why New Holland did not make the list.

Best of luck which ever way you go!!

Larry

 

[frank_f15]

SO YOUR GOING TO MAKE US WAIT TILL TOMORROW? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

"No one else has a loader for a compact that comes close."

I had to check it out. Not trying to pick on any brand, just want to make sure the opinions are somewhat accurate. I'm not sure what you mean. The specs or the price on the C50/C50 plus? The specs are easily matched and often exceeded by Kubotas LA 853, NH's 16LA and even JD's 460 for a comparable tractor. The rollback angle in particular is very poor and the lift height is quite low. Breakout and lift capacity while in the ballpark aren't always easy to differentiate because of where the measurement is taken from. Weight of the loader and bucket is lower by quite a bit compared to my Kubota. The exclusive loader leg design has been around for many years. My loader now comes off in about 32 seconds. I had to check it out to satisfy my curiosity, I don't get it, wheres the catch?

 

[19th_VA]

Being a Branson owner (century's twin) of course I vote for the Century. Do the others have position and draft control standard, too? Seems to me they don't all. Weight was a factor in my decision, as has already been mentioned. $ for $ the best deal going. Don't forget the dealer, though!!!! That's more important than the price. Good luck and keep us informed.

Oh yea. Rat--Centuries are Red. The purple ones are Scorpions, made by TYM. Basically the same as the Korean mahindra series (also red, but not as purty) except with a kubota engine, I think.

 

[danadsr]

I'm not real sure about what financing the Kubota Dealer offered, but I was quoted (on a B7800) 4.65% fixed for 72 months.

After applying for the loan, I was informed that the salesman gave me a rate quote on the L series tractors which was not applicable to the B series. In order to close the deal, the finance person got me in for 2.99% fixed for 60 months.

This actually increased my payment by only $20.00 per month which was within my payment range.

Hope you get a tractor your happy with at a rate you can live with.

danadsr (B7800 soon)

 

[markie61]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The purple ones are Scorpions, made by TYM)</font>

Long Agribusiness are purple. The TYMs on their web page are red.

Mark

PS I vote for Branson/Century, as well! But my Ben Franklins voted for New Holland.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif