How do the different manufacturers stack up?

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'll pass on posting links lest you again accuse me of disparaging the tractor you promote. )</font>

Gee whiz.
When did I do that /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Never mentioned a single thing about a tractor brand.
I just like to see the proof when things are past off as true fact or % of sales being posted.
Nothing wrong with that is there ???

 

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bottom line is this: Try out all the tractors in the range you are looking for (30 HP I think you said) and pick the one you like the best - hopefully that also translates to the best dealership.)</font>

Trouble is, this is backwards advice.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Find a dealer you can get along with as it will ultimately be like a marriage of sorts. <font color="green"> Just about any machine will not be a loser with a good dealer!!!</font>
Seems like everyone worries more about sheet metal color than what actually matters in the background...dealer support, parts, service, etc.

 

[albmn10]

Good advice Hobby ...

 

[hobbyfarm]

Why is it that everyone leaves on a tangent about "market share"?

Give me a break.

We have a Kubota dealer here...he stocks so many tractors (about three dozen), none are over, say, 40hp.

Yet the NH/Case dealer stocks - possibly three (three blue, 0 red).

The JD dealer stocks 0.

The MF dealer also stocks 0.

One-half dozen - each of three different dealers - Mahindra, Kioti, Montana

But, you can drive all all over the place - construction sites, school districts, municipalities, golf courses, and see individuals using their tractors, or even fueling up at the local convenience store.

Most of what I see are JD, then NH, MF, Kioti, Kubota.
Of the Kubotas I see, most are old models, 3:1.
So where's the "market share"?
Down here, it's on the dealer's lot. And BTW, they don't seem to be moving very fast. Dealer's lot looks the same for weeks at a time.
Yet, at the other dealers (I pass by them all several times a week, and occasionally many times a day) they get something in, and it is gone, like now!

So, how do the "statistics" explain this?
My own observations make me very skeptical of the "statistics".

From what I can tell, it still ends up being dealer related. The better dealers get the product out there and keep it on the job; the others don't.

 

[albmn10]

My point exactly from a previous post Hobby...

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> So, how do the "statistics" explain this?</font>
The statistics referred to were national. Local markets vary.

<font color="blue"> My own observations make me very skeptical of the "statistics". </font>
Why? Your observations show Kubota in fifth place. Here they're in first.

 

[hobbyfarm]

MikePA,
My whole point is, it's not "market share" or the "statistics".
Those are just misdirection facts. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif It is the dealer that makes the machine.
A bad dealer can "ruin" a good machine, and vice versa.
Like that line in the Wizard of Oz - Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The statistics referred to were national. )</font>

Exactly my point, where can I see these statistics.
I keep reading statistics posted, where are they getting this information. I want to see it..
If its posted as fact then there should be no problem showing me where they got the information.

 

[hobbyfarm]

Guys,
Who cares about the statistics? They are only numbers some bean counter came up with!

Ford says: The F150 is the best selling truck of all time.
OK,
So I buy a GM, or a Dodge - does that mean I didn't get a good vehicle??
As far as I can tell, the greater sales numbers are only useful when you need used parts out of a junkyard. (no offense junkman! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Who cares about the statistics? )</font>

Can't say I do care about the statistics. Makes little differance to me.
I do care about seeing the proof if something is being repeatedly posted as fact.
In this case it just happens to be Mfg. sales % .

 

[OkeeDon]

 

[JerryG]

Vince,
I want to see where the numbers are posted also. I am just want to see them, no real reason except like you said, they keep saying that they are there but no one tells where.

 

[Yardster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Bottom line is this: Try out all the tractors in the range you are looking for (30 HP I think you said) and pick the one you like the best - hopefully that also translates to the best dealership.)</font>

Trouble is, this is backwards advice.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Find a dealer you can get along with as it will ultimately be like a marriage of sorts. <font color="green"> Just about any machine will not be a loser with a good dealer!!!</font>
Seems like everyone worries more about sheet metal color than what actually matters in the background...dealer support, parts, service, etc. )</font>

I don't think that is accurate in all situations - most situations actually. Most dealers that are horrible don't stay in business long. Let's say dealer A is selling John Deere and dealer B is selling Kubota. You absolutely love the Kubota - it fits you needs and budget perfectly but the dealer is only average. The John Deere tractor turns out to be ok, not really what you are looking for and you feel like you are settling by purchasing this tractor. What do you do? Well, I guess that's a matter of opinion. You can take the Kubota and head home completely happy with your purchase or you can buy the John Deere and go home kind of happy but knowing that when the tractor has issues it will probably be easier on you. Hmmm. Any brand tractor these days is pretty good. Unless the dealer is a total dub, totally unfriendly and can't tell an R1 from a an R4 I would go with the tractor I liked the the best. It's like going to a restaraunt to order a steak and ending up with a hot dog instead - sure, it fills your belly but is it what you really wanted?

 

[Spiffy]

Neat analogy! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I think, much of it comes down to how dependant you intend to be upon the dealer support.

i.e. I do much of my own mechanical work; if I can get parts [and often even if not], I can get a machine running. But, for me to recommend that route to most people buying their first tractor would be bad advice. And even at that a good dealer relationship is very nice for any future dealings.

Irronically, the hot dog or the steak may be completely different tractor brands to each person, but following your analogy:

If you know you'll always grill your own steak to perfection, buy the steak regardless of dealer competance. But if you're a bit uncomfortable with the grill, don't trust the steak dealer, and the hotdog dealer happens to really know how to cook hotdogs.....you'll be much happier with that hogdog always done to perfection than the burnt steak....and he may even give you a good deal when it's time to upgrade to polish sausage! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Yardster]

LOL!!

I think I'll go grill some steak now...all this food talk has gotten me hungry.