How far is too far?

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

Well this is another thread about buying my first tractor. I have tried to do my do diligence and read as much as possible about everything posted here. It can get a little confusing

. Anyway one thing that seems consistent is that you need a dealer that you can trust and work with. But how close does he need to be? I have heard good and bad things about just about every tractor made on here.

Here is what I want to do 1) till the garden (about 1.5-2 acres - Husky walk behind is killing me!), 2) clear some woodlands enough to put a fence in for hogs so they can clear the rest 3) Convert farmland to pasture and in future be able to get hay from the pasture (about 10 acres) 4) General farm work i.e. FEL work, forks, hay bales, etc. So the only dealer in my town sells MF and NH. He basically says he can't get any NH tractors in and I have been driving by there for the last 6 months and he isn't kidding. I have only seen one NH tractor on their lot in that time. He steered me towards a MF 2165, 49 HP, 40 HP at PTO, 8x2 non shuttle transmission, cat I and II hitch, 540 rpm pto for $25K. Add implements and it was going to be $32.7K delivered to my farm. Does this sound reasonable? 45-50 HP tractor seem right or is he just steering me towards what he has left to sell?

I am going to look at the Kubota dealer today and maybe the JD this weekend but all are drives away from me (about an hour each). The other tractor I am now interested in is a TYM 503. It seems to have a lot more to offer than the MF and is less money - even comes with a cab. But the dealer is two hours away. Is that too far? Should I try to stay closer? Based on the website (Smith's Enterprises in Salemburg, NC) they are a major dealer and have a lot of tractors on the lot. Anyone dealt with them? The MF guy only had the one Utility tractor and everything else was compact. What do you guys think and thanks for any responses!

jeff9366 · Feb 7, 2014

When you need the TYM serviced will you trailer it there yourself or have the dealer pick it up?

If you trailer it, consider you will be driving eight hours to drop it off and pick it up. If the dealer is going to pick it up he will have to charge at least $1.25 per mile X 4 to cover his costs.

That will be expensive service.

I am very happy my two person Kubota dealer is only six miles away.

Right now, with the transition from Tier 3 emissions standards to Tier 4 emissions standards, most dealers do not have the optimum inventory mix. They have to take what is available. Soon all will be Tier 4, more expensive, but inventory will be optimum again.

You have not stated what your acreage is. A 45-50 horsepower tractor would be appropriate for 15-40 acres.

kcflhrc · Feb 7, 2014

I bought my new JD 3032E from a dealer 80 miles away because he was $2,400 cheaper than anyone else. I never considered the dealer being close to me a factor at all. I have driven 10 hours to buy a motorcycle because of price.

BuilderML · Feb 7, 2014

I know alot of people say go with the dealer you feel the most comfortable with. Personally i could care less about the dealer. In reality how often will you be going back aside from gets parts? Those can be shipped, the heck with driving to get them. To me i would take into account the dealer only if 1) i am not doing my own service. I think most owners do the service themselves. 2) during the warranty period to have any problems fixed. If you don't mind making the haul during that period if needed don't worry about distance within reason. The most important thing to me is knowing a good mechanic so you can forget about the dealer. I am with KCFLHRC in saying i am shopping for the best deal i can get period. Make sure when you purchased you get all the manuals you can for the unit owners,shop,service, and parts. Also as you can see i am in CT and i contacted Smith's in regards to a TYM unit when i was shopping. They were very helpful in answering my questions. That is about all i can tell you about them. With that said you can see how much i take into account dealer location if i was willing to make a purchase in NC. Good luck with your tractor purchase. :drink:

deerseeker001 · Feb 7, 2014

Welcome from Wisconsin

Hiltz · Feb 7, 2014

I too think that dealer loyalty is way overrated. When I bought my last new tractor price was the only factor. Since I purchased it 12 years ago I have not been back to dealer.......... any.

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

I guess I was wrong. I could swear that is what most people say though. Just got off the phone with Smith's and he is working a quote for me but says he can easily beat the MF price...and he can get me a cab tractor for less than the quoted too! Can't wait to go see it now!

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2014

My tractor doesn't have ANY dealers. They only sell factory direct out of Tazewell, VA. I have to perform all of my maintenance, repairs, etc... They have excellent phone support and next day shipping on most parts. Works for me. :thumbsup:

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

The guy I talked to at Smith's says there are some dealers closer to me too. Their website (which is not very good BTW) doesn't list any so I wonder how I would find them. Google take me awayyyyy.

Industrial Toys · Feb 7, 2014

YES, transportation for service/repair has become very expensive. It's worth asking a dealer what he charges for that and if that is covered under warranty.

If all other things were equal, I would probably choose the brand of the dealer closest to me, unless I heard bad things about them.